Get Them To The Church On Time
Jim Bowden is an idiot, part 3,832.
Yesterday the Washington Nationals sent outfielder Ryan Church to AAA New Orleans. Although Church posted the Expos' second best on base percentage last year, and slugged a very credible (for a center fielder) .466, he had a slow spring, hitting only .200 in 55 at bats. That was enough for Bowden and manager Frank Robinson.
Replacing Church will be rookie Branson Watson and failed Phillies prospect Marlon Byrd, both of whom hit over .300 this spring. Because, you know, 62 at-bats in spring training games is all the proof you need.
Watson has no power; despite batting .306 this spring he slugged only .339, and his ability to reach base is far below that of Church. But he and Byrd look so much better in a uniform, so they must be better players.
"Ryan will be back," said Bowden. "He's a guy who will hit in the big leagues. He's going to hit home runs, he's going to drive runs in. He's a good player."
So why the hell would you send him to New Orleans? Unless sending a Church to the Katrina-devasted city is some kind of faith-based recovery initiative. In which case it will work about as well as anything else the administration has done in the Gulf region.
Anyone need a center fielder? I know where you can find one, cheap. Needs good home, will take best offer. Just call (202) 675-5100, ask for Jim.
Yesterday the Washington Nationals sent outfielder Ryan Church to AAA New Orleans. Although Church posted the Expos' second best on base percentage last year, and slugged a very credible (for a center fielder) .466, he had a slow spring, hitting only .200 in 55 at bats. That was enough for Bowden and manager Frank Robinson.
Replacing Church will be rookie Branson Watson and failed Phillies prospect Marlon Byrd, both of whom hit over .300 this spring. Because, you know, 62 at-bats in spring training games is all the proof you need.
Watson has no power; despite batting .306 this spring he slugged only .339, and his ability to reach base is far below that of Church. But he and Byrd look so much better in a uniform, so they must be better players.
"Ryan will be back," said Bowden. "He's a guy who will hit in the big leagues. He's going to hit home runs, he's going to drive runs in. He's a good player."
So why the hell would you send him to New Orleans? Unless sending a Church to the Katrina-devasted city is some kind of faith-based recovery initiative. In which case it will work about as well as anything else the administration has done in the Gulf region.
Anyone need a center fielder? I know where you can find one, cheap. Needs good home, will take best offer. Just call (202) 675-5100, ask for Jim.
posted by Jim at
10:18 AM
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