Washington Nationals' skipper Matt Williams won't commit to a definitive date, but the second-year manager said on Tuesday that he will do his Babe Ruth HR trot reenactment at some point in the future. Nats links, tweets, quotes and more...
So, if you're one of those fans who's waiting around for Washington Nationals' skipper Matt Williams to do his Babe Ruth impression, as he promised MASN's F.P. Santangelo he would last year if the Nats ever won ten straight, you might be disappointed... [ed. note - "Do you really, REALLY care about this?"]
The Nationals did win 10 games in a row, of course, from August 10th to 21st, and Williams said then he would do the Babe Ruth trot again, though he qualified that he would wait for a more appropriate time.
"As in any situation with games or any of that," Williams said after the Nationals' 10th win, "timing is important... timing is ultimately important, so I wouldn't imagine that right now is a proper time.
"It's probably not appropriate, but in some form or fashion at some point, probably in the privacy of some stadium somewhere, we'll bring it out again. I don't know when that will be."
"I haven't done it since last time I did it," Williams joked, "but a promise is a promise, so at some point somewhere, can't tell you when that will be, but at some point."
So where will it be? When will it happen? Williams was asked again today when he spoke to reporters at the Nats' Spring Training facilities.
"I have no idea," the second-year skipper said, before offering a more detailed response.
"There's some folks that speculate... it's kind of like a fine wine, right? So if you open that bottle of fine wine, why would you try to age it any further, because it's ready to drink, right? So that being said, why would you try to top what's already been done, right? So that's one avenue of thinking in that regard.
"The other avenue is, people are asking when are you going to do it? I don't have a clue. I'm just trying to get through Spring, man. So we'll see. Maybe we can just keep people hanging."
"It might just show up on YouTube," Williams said toward the end of his press conference. "#VieraRocks."
But enough about that... on to the links...
Starting with a rumor about the Nationals' interest in... K-Rod? Really?:
• "MLB.com confirms those two teams appear to be the frontrunners, but there also may be a third team lurking, perhaps the Nationals." - "Talks continue with K-Rod" - Joe Frisaro, The Fish Pond
But then again...:
For what it's worth, I'm told Nats are NOT in on Francisco Rodriguez, despite report saying they might be in.
— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) February 25, 2015NATS BEAT: Matt Williams/Babe Ruth stories + More Zim at 1B
• "Asked when he would do the deed, Williams put an elbow on his desk and looked serious." - "Matt Williams on when he’ll do Babe Ruth impression: ‘I have no idea.’" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post
Matt Williams still isn't sure when he'll do promised Babe Ruth impression. Compared it to fine wine. "Why top what has already been done?"
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) February 24, 2015• "One of the Nationals’ biggest question marks entering the season, as has been noted a few times before, is the matter of replacing Tyler Clippard." - "Matt Williams on 8th inning choices, position players and Babe Ruth" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
• "For the second consecutive day, Williams began the morning on the Space Coast Stadium infield going through fundamental drills with Ryan Zimmerman at first base." - "Nationals Pastime: Williams Day Four roundup (plus, when do we see The Babe?)" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com
Can't wait until these guys' album drops later this year. #LikeABoss (@DonaldMiralle photo) pic.twitter.com/D4cVEi0DJv
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 24, 2015• "Under the tutelage of manager Matt Williams and the coaching staff, Zimmerman plans to learn the nuances of playing the position." - "Zimmerman taking transition in stride, eager to learn first base" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com
With the first full-squad workout rapidly approaching, Mark Lerner, one of #Nats Principal Owners, blogs from Viera: http://t.co/NuWfp2NJtv
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 24, 2015• "VIDEO: Zimmerman on getting adjusted to first base" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider
• "At just age 22, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is entering his fourth season in the majors. This time around, he has just one goal: To stay on the field." - "Bryce Harper's biggest goal in 2015 is to avoid injury" - Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com
NATS BEAT: Bullpen notes
• "'I try to stay ahead of the curve,' Thornton said. 'And I work out. I don’t miss workouts in the offseason.'" - "Nationals' Matt Thornton finding new ways to keep in shape as career winds on" - Tom Schad, Washington Times
• "The righty is showing patience and is aware of the high success rate the Nationals have had with pitchers following Tommy John surgery." - "Davis has first bullpen session since Tommy John surgery" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com
.@MLBNetwork Not sure about 1-2 but we think these six are decent. pic.twitter.com/6Ro6b4w2Fd
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 24, 2015• "The eighth inning used to belong solely to Clippard, but Nationals manager Matt Williams said Tuesday that he might rely on using more matchups..." - "Williams may employ multiple relievers in setup role" - Jamal Collier, nationals.com
• "When a baseball pitcher undergoes Tommy John surgery, the procedure lasts less than two hours. The recovery process takes much longer. Just ask Erik Davis..." - "Right-hander Davis continues road to recovery" - Vytas Mazeika, San Jose Mercury News
NATS MINORS/PTNBL (Trea Turner reports to Padres' camp):
• "Turner addressed his situation when he spokes to reporters. 'There’s a lot of things out of my control,' he said, according to San Diego Union-Tribune." - "Trea Turner, Nationals’ PTBN, reports to Padres’ big league camp" - James Wagner, The Washington Post
Turner: "There's a lot of things out of my control. I try to not pay attention to it...I'm just ready to put it behind me & start playing."
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 24, 2015• "The elephant in the room, 2014 first-rounder Trea Turner, is sitting between Justin Upton and Jedd Gyorko." - "Quick hits: Yonder Alonso knocking on wood" - Jeff Sanders, UTSanDiego.com
• "Because of a quirky MLB rule that rarely comes into play, Turner isn’t allowed to be traded until one calendar year after he signed his first professional contract." - "With trade to Nats still not official, Turner reports to Padres camp" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
Trea Turner's agent, Jeff Berry, released a statement through a representative. Berry: "Trea has put this matter behind him and is (1/2)
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 24, 2015focusing on his development and being a productive member of the Padres organization." (2/2)
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 24, 2015• "Turner is eligible to be dealt to the Nationals officially on June 13." - "Report: Trea Turner reports to Padres camp" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "The curious case of Trea Turner took another twist Tuesday when the Padres' 2014 first-round Draft pick arrived in Peoria, a surprise addition to big league camp." - "Padres bring prospect Turner to Majors camp" - Corey Brock, padres.com
• "The roster, obtained by MASNSports.com, includes the likes of Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Erick Fedde, Nick Pivetta, Joe Ross, Wander Suero, Austin Voth, Jakson Reetz..." - "A rundown of the Nationals' 2015 minor league early camp roster" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
DC Baseball History Section: Bert Griffith; Frank Robinson
• "I’m looking forward to coming back to Washington," Robinson said. "It will be a positive experience under these circumstances." - "Nationals doing the right thing by finally honoring Frank Robinson" - Thom Loverro, Washington Times
#Nats' skipper Matt Williams' grandfather was a 1924 Washington Senator - via @ThomasBoswellWPhttp://t.co/oBGihBiJPjpic.twitter.com/MzmqGQ8ur1
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) February 25, 2015• "A 1924 Washington outfielder named Bert (Buck) Griffith had a grandson. That grandson’s name: Matt Williams..." - "Could grandson follow grandfather to the World Series?" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post
NL EAST UPDATES: Ichiro vs Joe; Freeman's lineups; Phils' Rule 5 pick; Metsies
• Mets: "Lucas Duda was coming off the season of his life." - "Mets’ Lucas Duda Discovers Dangers of Training Too Hard" - Tim Rohan, NYTimes.com
#DavidWright#FaceOfMLBpic.twitter.com/xzoIXtbFZb
— New York Mets (@Mets) February 25, 2015• Marlins: "Ichiro was sometimes perplexed by the way he was used by Girardi. Hard lessons were learned in his time with the Yankees." - "Why Ichiro is glad to be a Marlin — and away from Joe Girardi" - Kevin Kernan, New York Post
#TeamFirstpic.twitter.com/dp0m0LwbDE
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) February 25, 2015• Braves: "'Having Jason Heyward hitting leadoff for you is not a well-constructed lineup,' said Freeman, and he was referring more to the personnel on the roster, not the lineup decisions of manager Fredi Gonzalez." - "Freeman on ’14 roster: Heyward leading off ‘not well-constructed lineup’" - Jeff Schultz, AJC.com
• Phillies: "It should be easier than ever for the Phillies to keep Herrera on the 25-man roster the entire season, because they do not have the pressure of trying to contend." -"Rule 5 pick Herrera looks like a smart gamble" - Bob Brookover, Philadelphia Inquirer
eMb Moment:
Expos' Guerrero, Cabrera to be honoured before Blue Jays game at Big O http://t.co/88lCno78xFpic.twitter.com/1jCFIHbEW9
— Montreal Expos (@Montreal_Expos) February 25, 2015