The Washington Nationals today announced more front office hires:  Casey McKeon (son of Jack) as Director of Player Procurement and Jay Robertson as Special Assistant to the Genereal Manager.

Here's the nitty-gritty from the press release:

McKeon joins the Nationals after spending the previous seven seasons with the Colorado Rockies, where he was Assistant to the General Manager to Dan O’Dowd, the Rockies Executive Vice President and General Manager. The Rockies won the 2007 National League Championship in the first of two post-season appearances made during his tenure in Colorado. McKeon previously worked for Cincinnati, Cleveland and San Diego in various scouting capacities, including a stint as the Reds Scouting Director. McKeon served on Team USA’s Selection Committee in 2003. A graduate of San Diego State University, McKeon played two professional seasons as a catcher in the Tigers chain. He is the son of longtime baseball manager and executive Jack McKeon.

Robertson spent the previous eight seasons as Special Assistant to the General Manager with the Texas Rangers, where he worked under the leadership of John Hart (2002-05) and Jon Daniels (2006-09). Previously, Robertson spent 11 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, culminating with an appointment as Special Assistant to General Manager John Hart for the 2000-01 campaigns. His tenure in Cleveland included time as Scouting Director, during which Cleveland signed Richie Sexson, Sean Casey, Russell Branyan and Jaret Wright. Robertson pitched for five seasons in Toronto’s chain before enjoying both coaching and scouting stints with Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Both seem like solid baseball men with strong resumes.  Sounds like McKeon will assist Rizzo with the major league roster, and he can't get him in here quickly enough with the World Series getting started and the GM and Winter Meetings just around the corner.

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Stephen Strasburg started for the Devil Dogs today in the Arizona Fall League, and was quite a bit better than the last time out.  He went 4.1 IP, allowing just one run (after he left the game) on one hit and two walks.  He struck out five and threw 42 of his 67 pitches for strikes.

Fellow Nat prospect Josh Wilkie relieved Strasburg after he gave up a double to the gap in the fifth, and Wilkie, who's had his trouble out in Arizona, gave up a two-out triple to let the run score.

But the good news is that Strasburg, the No. 1 overall pick in last spring's amateur draft, bounced back after his rough outing last week and really competed.  Accounsts say he had some trouble spotting the changeup, but that his slider was downright filthy and only one batter managed to pull the ball against him.

Ryan Zimmerman collected the most web gems and web gem points from ESPN throughout the season. And tonight, ESPN is naming him their first ever Web Gem Champion. The "Web Gem Awards Show" will air Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 with Zimmerman as a special guest.

Ryan Zimmerman has been nominated for "Best Defense" in MLB's "This Year in Baseball" Awards! Vote for Zim here.

Photo © 2009 C. Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Stephen Strasburg made AFL debut Friday night, going 3.1 IP. He didn't allow a run on two hits and one walk, striking out two. He threw 32 of his 50 pitches for strikes and picked up the win.

The 21-year old, No. 1 overall pick in last year's amateur draft got two double plays behind him and exited in the middle of the fourth inning seemingly on a strict pitch count.

Drew Storen, the No. 10 overall pick last summer, gave up two unearned runs on a two-out error by shortstop Shawn O'Malley.  He threw 28 pitches -- 20 for strikes -- in one inning, allowing three hits and no walks.

The Devil Dogs beat the Scorpions 9-2.  Danny Espinosa went 0-for-2 with two walks from the two-spot, and played designated hitter.

The Washington Nationals issued a press release today finally making official all the news reports of recent front office hirings.  One has to believe now that this wave of personnel have filled out their W-2s, general manager Mike Rizzo can turn full attention to interviewing candidates for field manager.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS ADD ROY CLARK, JOHNNY DiPUGLIA AND DOUG HARRIS TO FRONT OFFICE

KRIS KLINE NAMED DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING

The Washington Nationals today named Roy Clark Vice President of Player Personnel, Johnny DiPuglia Director of Latin American Operations and Doug Harris Director of Player Development. The Nationals also promoted Kris Kline to Director of Scouting. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Clark joins the Nationals after an impressive 11-year run as Director of Scouting with the Atlanta Braves. Clark joined the Braves as an area scout in 1989, and he later enjoyed successive stints as Atlanta’s southeast supervisor (1995) and national supervisor (1996-99). His efforts helped the Braves earn Baseball America’s prestigious Organization of the Year award three times (1991, 1996, 2005) and USA Today’s Organization of the Year citation in 1996. Clark sports a World Series ring from the Braves’ 1995 World Championship campaign.

Clark is best known for having procured talents such as catcher Brian McCann, right-handed pitcher Tommy Hanson, right-handed pitcher Adam Wainwright, shortstop Yunel Escobar, right-handed pitcher Joey Devine, right-handed pitcher Kevin Millwood, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and outfielder Jeff Francoeur for the Braves. Meanwhile, Braves minor-league outfielder Jason Heyward was recently cited as Baseball America’s 2009 Minor League Player of the Year and is regarded by many as baseball’s top prospect among position players.

DiPuglia joins his fourth big league organization with his Nationals appointment. DiPuglia spent the previous 10 seasons working in the Red Sox scouting department, the last four as Boston’s Latin American Scouting Coordinator. While in that position, he was responsible for coverage in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico, Curacao, Nicaragua, Aruba, Columbia, as well as all of Central and South America. He earned World Series rings while with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.

DiPuglia, who also enjoyed stints with the Giants and Cardinals organizations, signed or had a hand in the signings of shortstop Hanley Ramirez, second baseman Placido Polanco, outfielder Rick Ankiel, right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez and right-handed pitcher Rene Arocha.

Harris carries 20 seasons of baseball experience as a player, amateur scout and professional scout into his new role with the Nationals. He spent last season as a Major League Scout/Advance Scout with Cleveland after a 12-year tenure with Texas in various scouting capacities. Harris played seven professional seasons in three organizations.

Kline earned the Director of Scouting promotion after spending his initial three seasons in Washington as Assistant Scouting Director/National Crosschecker (2009) and Western Crosschecker (2007-08). A scout for 20 seasons, Kline joined the Nationals in the fall of 2006 after spending the previous seven seasons with Arizona, the last three of which were spent as the Diamondbacks’ Western Supervisor. Kline earned a World Series ring in 2001 as the Diamondbacks topped the Yankees in seven games. Before joining the Diamondbacks, Kline worked 10 seasons scouting for the Angels after completing his four-year professional playing career.

According to multiple sources, the Washington Nationals have hired former Atlanta Braves scouting director Roy Clark as assistant general manager, with his duties to be varied and wide-ranging.  Clark worked for Atlanta for 20 years in their scouring and development department.

According to the AJC story, Clark will oversee the Nationals player development and all scouting functions, including international scouting, an area of particular weakness in the Nats organization.

This is the second time Clark has been linked to a job with DC, apparently turning down a role withe less responsibilities in 2006.  He obviously has long-time ties with Nationals president Stan Kasten.

This news comes on the heels of Dana Brown leaving the organization, as he took the assistant general manager position with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Brown has been with the Nationals since their days in Montreal, and had a stated desire to work his way "up the ladder", hopefully ascending to a general manager position.

With that job full in DC, Brown rejoins a man he once hired, Alexander Anthopolis, back north of the border.

Kris Kline, currently the assistant scouting director and highly thought of in the organization, could be elevated into Brown's former roll.

Buried in the excitement of all this turmoil was the news that Moose Stubing was releived of his duities as special assistant to the general manager.  How many Nats fans even knew Stubing was on the payroll? 

Regardless, Bob Boone still has his job...for now.

Of course, all this news has to be supported by published reports, as the Nationals have been completely mum on any topic of front office restructuring.  There have been no press releases to date, nor have they comments for any of the published reports.

First, Elijah Dukes' handler, James Williams, was dismissed.  I guess the Nats thought Dukes was ready to ride without training wheels. 

To be fair to Dukes, he seemed like he had picked up a thing or two while he was in exile.  And he had a pretty solid September.  It should be interesting in the spring whether he's given a job, or has to fight Maxwell, Bernadina, Harris, et al for rightfield.

Yesterday, Jose Cardenal, one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet, was let go.  He had been operating as special advisor to assistant general manager Bob Boone. 

"If you are a baseball person, you know that it's going to happen with the new GM coming up and them wanting to clean house," Cardenal said. "They knew I was close to Jim [Bowden]. I have nothing but positive things to say. The Lerner family treated me well."

What will bear watching is if Boone himself is spared in the housecleaning.

Then today, words comes out that a trio of minor league instructors have been fired.  John Stearns, formerly manager of Double-A Harrisburg, Rich Gale, pitching coach for Triple-A Syracuse, and Gulf Coast coach Cesar Cedeno have all been relieved of their duties in the organization.

Stearns, joined the organization in 2006 and guided the Senators to a 70-72 record this season. Gale started the season with Class-A Hagerstown but ended the season in Syracuse after Steve McCatty was promoted to the big leagues.

Cedeno was a baserunning and outfield coach for the Gulf Coast league team.

All of these moves coincide with Mike Rizzo's stated goal of developing a better overall system for training the drafted talent into competent major league-ready players.  It also gives him a chance to mold the system to fit more with his vision of planning for the organization.

Of course, he still has to hire an assistant general manager, several pro and minor leeague scouts, and oh yeah, a field manager.  But finally, after four years of floundering, at least someone has the authority to develop this franchise with a consistant, unified vision.  Call it "The Plan 3.0".

As a member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance, I get to vote for the awards that the group hands out each season.  We vote just like the BBWAA does; for Manager, Rookie, Cy Young and MVP of each league.  Since I cover the Nats, I get to vote for the N.L. awards.

Et voila!  Here are my votes (and admittedly shaky reasoning behind them).

N.L. MANAGER OF THE YEAR

3.  Joe Torre, LAD

2.  Bruce Bochy, SF

1.  Jim Tracy, COL

Let me go on record saying I think the job that managers do is completely overrated.  At best on the positive side, they provide mostly motivation and discipline for their teams.  More appropriately, this award goes to the managers that messed up his team the least. 

All three managers from the West?  Sure, why not.  All three teams overachieved to a certain degree, two of the three teams are in the playoffs, and the third is the next best team.

Colorado was destined to hang out with Washington and Pittsburgh until Clint Hurdle was ousted and replaced -- on an interim basis -- by Jim Tracy.  Whether he was that much better at the X's and O's, or just a better motivator, he got more out of the Rockies than I think should have been expected.

N.L. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

3.  Chris Coghlan, FL  (.321/.390/.460, 9 HR--47 RBI--8 SB)

2.  J.A. Happ, PHI  (12-4, 2.93, 119 K in 166.0 IP)

1.  Tommy Hanson, ATL  (11-4, 2.89 ERA, 116 K in 127.2 IP)

The only rookie pitcher to average a strikeout an inning was DC's Jordan Zimmermann, but Tommy John surgery put an end to his season in August.

But it's hard to argue with Hanson or Happ.  Both were leaned on heavily by playoff contending teams, and both pitched equally as well, with Hanson's K rate just slightly higher. 

Coghlan was recalled by Florida when Emilio Bonifacio was OBPing .285 in May, and be became the sparkplug and table setter the Marlins needed.  And he played out of position in left field most of the season.  If they can get him back in the infield, he's be even more valuable.

N.L. CY YOUNG

3.  Chris Carpenter, STL  (17-4, 2.24 ERA, 144 K in 192.2 IP)

2.  Adam Wainwright, STL  (19-8, 2.63 ERA, 212 K in 233.0 IP)

1.  Tim Lincecum, SF  (15-7, 2.48 ERA, 261 K in 225.1 IP)

There were eight pitchers that qualified this season with an ERA under 3.00 in the NL.  You could really put all the names (above, plus Jair Jurrjens, Clayton Kershaw, Javier Vazquez, Matt Cain and J.A. Happ) into a bag, shake them up, pull out three and go with that.

But the three on my ballot were exceptional in many ways.  Carpenter walked just 38 batters all season.  Wainwright led the league in wins and innings pitched and Lincecum was his usual dominant self, striking out 261 in 225 innings.

N.L. MVP (AVE/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/RUNS/SB)

10.  Andre Ethier, LAD (.272/.361/.508, 31/106/92/6)

9.  Ryan Zimmerman, WAS (.292/.364/.525, 33/106/110/2)

8.  Pablo Sandoval, SF (.330/.387/.556, 25/90/79/5)

7.  Derrick Lee, CHC (.306/.393/.579, 35/111/91/1)

6.  Ryan Braun, MIL (.320/.386/.551, 32/114/113/20)

5.  Prince Fielder, MIL (.299/.412/.602, 46/141/103/2)

4.  Ryan Howard, PHI (.279/.360/.571, 45/141/105/8)

3.  Troy Tulowitzki, COL (.297/.377/.552, 32/92/101/20)

2.  Hanley Ramirez, FL (.342/.410/.543, 24/106/101/27)

1.  Albert Pujols, STL  (.327/.443/.658, 47/135/124/16)

After No. 1, this is really tough.  You look at these guys, and a dozen others with similar numbers, and how do you differentiate?  I feel qualified enough to have Zimmerman make a token appearance at the bottom of my ballot, because I watched him play third base AND half-shortstop all season long.  If you saw Cristian Guzman's range, you'd know what I'm talking about.

But what make one player more valuable than another?  I'm voting on this award using the literal meaning, not necessarily voting for "Best Player" or "Best Offensive Season", which I think are two things totally different than "Most Valuable Player".

Obviously, Albert Pujols is just a different kind of cat.  He walked 115 times (third in N.L.) and still put up his normal outrageous numbers.  Hanley Ramirez led the league in average, was sixth in on base percentage and drove in and scored over 100 runs.  And could you imagine the middle of Colorado's order without Tulo in there?  He shook off his rough 2008 to lead the Rockies back into the playoffs.

There you have them, my picks for the 2009 post-season awards.  Please feel free to leave your picks or critiques of mine in the comments.

Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Thursday.  The procedure will be performed by Dr. Wiemi Douoguih at The Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.  Bill Ladson is reporting that Guzman has been hampered by shoulder problems for over a month and the shoulder grew worse when Guzman twice threw to home plate against the Dodgers on Sept. 24. Guzman did not play shortstop for the rest of the season after that game and was instead regulated to pinch-hitting duties.

Catcher Derek Norris fractured his left hamate bone while working out in the Instructional League. He will have surgery performed by Dr. Thomas Graham in Baltimore to remove the fractured hamate bone on Thursday, October 8. He is expected to be able to resume baseball activities in December.   See Nats Farm for more information.

Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, Kory Casto have also fractured a hamate bone during their career.

Photos © 2009 C. Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Join me and Greg DePalma on Prime Sports Network's "Nats Weekly" LIVE today at 5:00 pm.  Click the link for the live internet radio feed, or call the hotline at 1-877-266-1909 to ask a question or join in the discussion.

We'll be wrapping up the season that was in Natstown, including a look at the DC-IBWA Awards, Highlights of the Year, possible draft scnearios and the manager position.

Should be a great show to wrap up the season.  Join us LIVE if you can.

The Washington, DC chapter of the Internet Baseball Writers Association is an organization comprised of internet writers, on-line media outlets, and bloggers.

In accordance with its stated goal of promoting the members of the association and increasing awareness and respect as active members of the media that cover the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball club, the DC-IBWA is pleased to announce its member-voted winners of Post-Season Player Achievement Awards.

Each individual award is named after a member of the district’s storied baseball heritage, to promote awareness of the significance of the history of Washington, DC baseball. Biographies of the honored historical players can be found attached to this press release.

Voters were asked to name first, second and third place for each category. First place votes received five points, second place votes received three points and third place votes received one point.

Twenty ballots from association members were submitted from the following online media outlets: Nationals News Network, Nationals Pride, We’ve Got Heart, Centerfield Gate, FJB, Federal Baseball, The Nationals Enquirer, DC Sports Box, Nationals Inquisition, Nats Fanboy Looser, Planetary Nats, Bang! Zoom!, Nats Nation, Let Teddy Win!, Nationals Review, DC Sports Plus, Passing Time Between Wil Nieves Bombs.

You can find more information about the DC-IBWA, or our membership, by visiting our website at http://dc-ibwaa.blogspot.com/ or contacting us at DCIBWA@gmail.com.

_____________________________________________________

THE AWARDS

Goose Goslin Most Valuable Player

Player most valuable to the success of the Washington Nationals:

1st: Ryan Zimmerman (92 points, 16 first place votes)

2nd: Adam Dunn (41 points, one first place vote)

3rd: Nyjer Morgan (25 points, three first place votes)

Others: John Lannan (19), Josh Willingham (3)

_________________________

Walter Johnson Starting Pitcher of the Year

Excellent performance as a starting pitcher

1st: John Lannan (96 points, 18 first place votes)

2nd: Jordan Zimmermann (42 points, two first place votes)

3rd: Craig Stammen (22 points)

Others: J.D. Martin (6), Garrett Mock (4), Livan Hernandez (3), Ross Detwiler (2)

_________________________

Frederick "Firpo" Marberry Relief Pitcher of the Year

Excellent performance as a relief pitcher

1st: Tyler Clippard (80 points, 13 first place votes)

2nd: Mike MacDougal (55 points, six first place votes)

3rd: Sean Burnett (29 points, one first place vote)

Others: Jason Bergmann (6), Joe Beimel (5), Ron Villone (3),Saul Rivera (1)

_________________________

Sam Rice Hitter of the Year

Excellence in all-around hitting, situational hitting and baserunning

1st: Ryan Zimmerman (81 points, 14 first place votes)

2nd: Adam Dunn (39 points, two first place votes)

3rd: Nyjer Morgan (26 points, three first place votes)

Others: Josh Willingham (14), Nick Johnson (9, one first place vote), Cristian Guzman (6)

_________________________

Frank Howard Slugger of the Year

Excellence in power hitting

1st: Adam Dunn (100 points, 20 first place votes)

2nd: Ryan Zimmerman (46 points)

3rd: Josh Willingham (27 points)

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Joe Judge Defensive Player of the Year

Excellence in fielding

1st: Ryan Zimmerman (88 points, 14 first place votes)

2nd: Nyjer Morgan (69 points, six first place votes)

3rd: Willie Harris (12 points)

Others: Alberto Gonzalez, Elijah Dukes, Nick Johnson (3), Wil Nieves (1)

_________________________

Mickey Vernon Comeback Player of the Year

Player who overcame biggest obstacle in the preceding season to contribute on the field

1st: Nick Johnson (50 points, 10 first place votes)

2nd: Mike MacDougal (20 points, one first place vote)

3rd: Ryan Zimmerman (18 points, three first place votes)

Others: Jason Bergmann (16), Josh Bard (9), Ron Villone (8), Josh Willingham (7), Mike Morse (7), Justin Maxwell (5), J.D. Martin (4), Nyjer Morgan, Livan Hernandez, Ross Detwiler, Elijah Dukes (3),

Adam Dunn, Ian Desmond, Jorge Padilla, Sean Burnett, Garrett Mock (1)

_________________________

Josh Gibson Humanitarian Player of the Year

Player who meritoriously gave of himself to the community

1st: John Lannan (72 points, 12 first place votes)

2nd: Ryan Zimmerman (44 points, four first place votes)

3rd: Wil Nieves (21 points, three first place votes)

Others: Josh Willingham (9), Nyjer Morgan, Willie Harris, Elijah Dukes (3), Tyler Clippard (1)

_________________________

Minor League Player of the Year

Minor league player most destined for big league success

1st: Derek Norris (54 points, nine first place votes)

2nd: Ian Desmond (53 points, nine first place votes)

3rd: Drew Storen (41 points, two first place votes)

Others: Bradley Meyers (16), Chris Marrero (7), Mike Morse (4), Daniel Espinosa (2), Ross Detwiler, Jorge Padilla (1).

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BIOGRAPHIES

Leon Allen “Goose” Goslin

Goslin was a left fielder for the Washington Senators from 1921-30, 1933 and 1938. He also played for the St. Louis Browns (1930-32) and the Detroit Tigers (1934-37).

From his page at National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum:

Burly and strong-armed, Leon Goose Goslin swung the bat with Ruthian effort and forged a reputation as a powerful clutch-hitter. He spearheaded his teams to five American League pennants -- three with the Senators and two with the Tigers. He drove in 100 or more runs on 11 occasions and hit .300 or better 11 times, compiling a .316 lifetime average and 2,735 hits. He led the Senators to a World Series title in 1924 with a .344 average and three home runs.

Goslin was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968 by the veteran’s committee.

Walter Perry “Big Train” Johnson

Johnson was, without question, one of the best pitchers in the history of the game. He played exclusively for the Washington Senators from 1907-1927.

From his page at National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum:

There were no sophisticated measuring devices in the early 1900s, but Walter Johnson's fastball was considered to be in a class by itself. Using a sweeping sidearm delivery, The Big Train fanned 3,508 over a brilliant 21-year career with the Washington Senators, and his 110 shutouts are more than any pitcher. Despite hurling for losing teams most of his career, he won 417 games -- second only to Cy Young on the all-time list -- and enjoyed 10 successive seasons of 20 or more victories.

Johnson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the inaugural vote in 1936 by the writers.

Frederick “Firpo” Marberry

Marberry was a right-handed pitcher who played for the Washington Senators from 1923-32 and 1936, the Detroit Tigers (1933-35), and the New York Giants (1936)

From his page at Baseball Library:

Marberry's physique and dark, scowling look suggested boxer Luis Firpo, "The Wild Bull of the Pampas," who had once knocked Jack Dempsey out of the ring. The nickname suited the pitcher, though he was said to have hated the nickname and preferred to be known as “Fred”. He was one of the first pitchers to be used almost exclusively in relief, leading the American League five times in saves.

The sport's first prominent reliever, he has been retroactively credited as having been the first pitcher to record 20 saves in a season, the first to earn 100 career saves, the first to make 50 relief appearances in a season or 300 in a career, and the only pitcher to lead the major leagues in saves five times.

Edgar Charles “Sam” Rice

Rice was a right fielder for the Washington Senators (1915-33) and Cleveland Indians (1934).He was a teammate of the more-heralded Johnson and Goslin, but certainly no less important.

From his page at National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum:

Though he didn't play his first full campaign until age 27, Sam Rice collected 2,987 hits, finishing his career with a .322 batting average and six 200-hit seasons. Small but swift, Rice starred on the Washington Senators' only three pennant-winning teams and still holds franchise records for hits, runs, doubles and triples. His disputed catch of a fly ball in the 1925 World Series saved Game 3 for Washington and remains one of the most controversial plays in baseball history.

Rice had 200-plus hits in six different seasons, and collected 351 stolen bases. He led the A.L. in hits twice and put outs for outfielders twice.

Rice was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963 by the Veteran’s Committee.

Frank Oliver “Hondo” Howard

The “Capital Punisher” played left field, right field and first base in his 15 years in the major leagues. He played with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1958-64), Washington Senators (1965-71), Texas Rangers (1972), and Detroit Tigers (1972-73).

One of the most physically intimidating hitters in the sport, he was named the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1960, and went on to lead the American League in home runs and total bases twice. His 382 career home runs were the eighth most by a right-handed hitter when he retired; his 237 home runs in a Washington uniform are a record for any of that city's several franchises, as are his 1969 totals of 48 HRs and 340 total bases.

After his retirement from playing, he managed parts of two seasons for the San Diego Padres and New York Mets, and coached for several teams thereafter.

Hondo once hit 10 home runs in 20 at bats over a six-game span, May 12-18, 1968. He also struck out a record six consecutive times in a July 9, 1965 doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox in Boston. After grounding into a double play to end the streak, he jokingly noted, "The only guy to make eight outs in seven at-bats and get a standing ovation for it."

Joseph Ignatius “Joe” Judge

Judge played first base for the Washington Senators (1915-32), Brooklyn Dodgers (1933 and Boston Red Sox (1933-34).

Judge was a perennial Washington favorite who, in 1924, with Bucky Harris at second base, Ossie Bluege at third base, and MVP Roger Peckinpaugh at shortstop, formed a defensive unit which is thought by many to be the best ever assembled.

He set American League records for career games (2,056), putouts (19,021), assists (1,284), total chances (20,444), double plays (1,476) and fielding percentage (.993) at first base, and led the AL in fielding average five times, then a record. He also batted over .300 nine times, and hit .385 in the 1924 World Series as the Senators won their only championship.

At the end of his career he ranked tenth in AL history in hits (2,328) and doubles (431), seventh in games played (2,129), eighth in triples (158) and at bats (7,786), and ninth in walks (958). In a 20-season career, Judge hit .298 with 1034 RBI in 2171 games; he also collected 2,352 hits and 213 stolen bases with a .378 on base percentage. He ranked second to Sam Rice in Washington history in games, at bats, hits, runs, RBI, doubles, triples and total bases.

James Barton “Mickey” Vernon

Vernon played for 21 seasons, for the Washington Senators (1939-43, 1946-48, 1950-55), Cleveland Indians (1949-50, 1958), Boston Red Sox (1956-57), Milwaukee Braves (1959) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1960).

Despite missing two seasons to military service during World War II, he retired with 2,495 hits, and holds the major league record for career double plays at first base (2,044), as well as American League records for career games (2,227), putouts (19,754), assists (1,444) and total chances (21,408) at first base.

In 14 full seasons (400 at bats or more), Vernon batted over .335 twice, over .300 five times, and over .290 nine times.

Vernon managed the expansion Senators from 1960-63. He also coached for several other teams and scouted for the New York Yankees when his field days were completed.

Joshua “Josh” Gibson

Gibson was a catcher for the Pittsburgh Crawfords (1930-37) and Homestead Grays (1937-46), who split their home games between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

He was credited with having been Negro National League batting champion in 1936, 1938, 1942 and 1945. Gibson hit almost 800 home runs in his 17-year career.

From his page at National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum:

A tragic and legendary figure, Josh Gibson was the greatest power hitter in black baseball, pounding out home runs with regularity despite playing most of his career in two of baseball's most cavernous ballparks: Forbes Field and Griffith Stadium. He utilized a fluid, compact swing to hit for both average and power, and tales of his mammoth home runs became legend. In recorded at-bats against big league pitching, Gibson batted .426. He died just three months before the integration of baseball in the Major Leagues.

Gibson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 by the Negro Leagues Committee.

"I'm very proud of this team. For a team to have that kind of record and still play with that kind of intensity at the end is really great." --Interim manager Jim Riggleman, on Sunday's 15-inning win, Oct. 4, 2009.

THE RESULTS:  The Washington Nationals ended the 2009 campaign with a seven-game winning streak, sweeping the Atlanta Braves in a four-game series.  Sunday's game was a 15 inning marathon that Alberto Gonzalez won 2-1 with a two-out, run-scoring single.

J.D. Martin had a very strong start for the Nats.  He went six innings, allowing six hits and no walks.  He gave up one run, a solo shot by Nate McLouth, and struck out two.

Tyler Clippard, Ron Villone, Jason Bergmann, Saul Rivera and Logan Kenising (W, 1-2, 8.92) threw scoreless relief for nine innings.

Boone Logan (L, 1-1) took the loss for Atlanta.  Elijah Dukes took a one-out walk and advanced to second on Wil Nieves' single to right field.  Then, with two outs, Gonzalez singled safely up the middle to push across the tiebreaker.

Kensing got into some trouble in the bottom of the 15th, but struck out Brooks Conrad with runners at second and third to cement the win.

The only bad news from the seven-game winning streak to end the season was Adam Dunn's failure to hit two more home runs, breaking his streak of 40-homer seasons at five, tying him with several others for the third longest streak of 40-home run seasons.

The Nats final record stands one game worse than last season, at 59-103.

THE TAKEAWAY:  Over the next couple of days I'll do a more in-depth season recap, but the 2009 season is mercifully in the books. 

It's been a long season, starting with Jim Bowden's ouster in spring training amidst reports of abuse and scandal, continuing with a 5-16 April, Manny Acta's firing at the all-star break, Jordan Zimmermann's elbow reconstruction surgery... I could go one, but I won't.

THE GOOD:  Way to finish strong, Nats.  A seven-game streak to close out the season is a nice thing.

THE BAD:  No more Nats games until March.

THE UGLY:  103 losses.  Hopefully it's the last time we have to talk about 100-loss seasons in D.C.

"We're playing the game the right way.  Hopefully, we're going in the right direction." -- Pete Orr, Oct. 1, 2009.

THE RESULT:  Pete Orr's one-out single to left field drove home Ryan Zimmerman, who opened the ninth inning with a double, and the Washington Nationals eked out a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves before 38,237 at Turner Field.

The Braves found out earlier in the day that they had been eliminated from the playoffs by a Colorado Rockies victory.

Washington won its fourth in a row and improved its record to 56-103.

Nats starter Garrett Mock, who has lost six consecutive decisions since his last win on Aug. 25, gave up one run on five hits and four walks in six innings. He battled Braves rookie of the year candidate Tommy Hanson.  The 23-year old went seven innings and gave up just one earned run on five hits and two walks, striking out nine.

Tyler Clippard (W, 4-2, 2.78) got the win in relief of Mock by throwing two and two thirds innings, allowing three base runners (one hit, two walks) and striking out four.  Mike MacDougal got the final out for his 19th save, a grounder to third that Zimmerman (2-for-4, one run, one RBI) made a terrific dive and throw from his knee on  to get a force at second.

Atlanta closer Rafael Soriano (L. 1-6, 3.05) allowed the winning run.

THE TAKEAWAY:  Mock, in his final start of 2009, still allowed way to many runners, but limited Atlanta to just one run, on a solo shot by Nate McLouth.  He's got to get his walk totals down if he wants to pitch consistently well in the major leagues, but he did well to keep the Braves off the scoreboard when they got runners on.

Though none resulted in a double play, he got 12 ground ball out and only one fly ball out.  That's the stuff Mike Rizzo wants to see out of his starters.

THE GOOD:  Ryan Zimmerman.  His two hits were both solid drives to the gaps for a double, so he's really seeing the ball well right now.

THE BAD:  Adam Dunn.  0-for-3 with a BB and K.  He's struggling, and the average is down to .266.

THE UGLY:  Mike Morse.  0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the five-hole.

NEXT GAME:  Tonight at 7:35 pm against Atlanta.  Livan Hernandez (8-12, 5.48) faces Derek Lowe (15-9, 4.55).

"We haven't been playing that well this year, but this kind of pushes us forward going into next year. Definitely a nice memory." -- Justin Maxwell, Sept. 30, 2009.

THE RESULT: Justin Maxwell hit a walk-off grand slam against New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, giving the Washington Nationals a 7-4 win -- on Fan Appreciation Day and their last home game of the season -- before 23,944 screaming Nats faithful.

The Mets scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth to go up 4-2, things did not look good for Washington, knowing the man they call "K-Rod" was up and warming for the save, something he did a major league record 62 times last season.

But the Nats had a little something extra planned.

Alberto Gonzalez started the ninth with an infield single. Pinch-hitter Mike Morse next did what he's be doing since his recall: get a hit. He singled to put runners at first and second.

Willie Harris sacrificed the pair to second and third and Elijah Dukes laid off Rodriguez' slider to draw a walk. Ryan Zimmerman then struck out for the second out of the inning.

Adam Dunn, still sitting on 38 home runs, fought of a couple tough pitches, and drew another walk from Rodriguez, forcing in the Nats' third run of the game.

Then came Maxwell.

Maxwell had entered as a pinch-runner for Josh Willingham in the eighth inning, during a potential rally that fell short. This was his first at bat against the crafty K-Rod. He took a ball, then two strikes looking. Another ball brought the count to 2-2. Then a foul and another ball, to go to 3-2.

Everyone in the park were standing and cheering and chanting "Let's Go Nats."

Maxwell then fouled two more pitches off during the tough at bat. Then, on the ninth pitch of the battle, Maxwell turned on a thigh-high fastball and sent it toward the left field bleachers. Left fielder Angel Pagan leaped at the wall, and for a moment fans and broadcasters alike didn't know if he had pulled it down or not.

But the reaction from the fans in the first row of the stands told the story: The ball came to rest in the flower bed above the left field wall, Pagan had not been successful, and Maxwell had won the game.

THE TAKEAWAY: Wow. A very exciting game to be part of. The electricity in the stands was palpable, from the emotion of the last home game right down to the ecstasy of the walk-off and sweeping the decimated Mets.

THE GOOD: John Lannan. He went seven innings, allowing just two earned runs (three total) on four hits and two walks, striking out four.  He wasn't around for the final decision (Ron Villone got he win in relief), but his final start of 2009 was rock-solid.

THE BAD: Infield defense. Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman both had rounder errors. Though Zim's was a rocket, and he made up for it with a solo shot in the eighth.

THE UGLY: The Mets. U-G-L-Y. I realize how many injuries they has this season, but their roster right now made the Nats look like the '27 Yankees.

NEXT GAME: The Nats head down to Georgia for a four-game set with the Braves. Garrett Mock (3-10, 5.91) makes his final start of the season against likely rookie of the year Tommy Hanson (11-4, 2.98) at 7:10 pm.

 

Photo © 2009 C. Nichols. All Rights Reserved.