Announcement
Tough Loss Leaves Squad Looking for Answers
Posted by Steve Elliott on
Jul 14 2004
at
05:00PM PDT
in 2019 Season
By Steve Elliott
Baseball has the best cliches of all the major sports because they ring true. "We're just going to take it one game at a time and Lord willing, good things will happen" "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes....it rains." These classic lines from "Bull Durham" stress the necessity of allowing the game to come to you and maintaining an even temperament.
There is a fine line between having an even temperament and being flat. "Bull Durham" also points out the need for timely, directed, and channeled fire and intensity. In one classic scene the manager and coach "address" the squad while they shower, throwing bats at their feet and lambasting them as a bunch of "lollygaggers."
Contradictory logic? No, young grasshopper. Perfect wisdom. The game must be played with "fear and arrogance." Fear is defined as humility and respect. This is the strong suit of this year's Nationals squad. Arrogance is a type of confidence bordering on cockiness. Many refer to this quality as swagger. The 2004 squad deperately seeks this.
On Tuesday, the locals reached a new season low, losing to the previously winless Milwaukee McGuire's Cats 8-4. Play-by-play is available on the "2004 Stats and Box Scores" page in the left hand menu column.
Though the team showed some life in battling back from a 6-0 hole, it deperately lacked the emotion and energy which all contending squads possess. Management can tinker with personnel, lineups, batting orders, and on-field strategy, but ultimately this is a private matter that each player must address. The issue is one of heart. On-the-field play should reflect passion and desperation; Passion for a boys' game and the desperation of a man treating each play as if it could be his last.
The 2004 squad can shape its destiny in the next month. Shopping is over. We have the ingredients for a gourmet meal. It's up to us. We can settle and eat the easy and fast, pre-packaged food of losers or we can do a little blending, add fire, and create a gourmet meal. The latter requires energy,effort, commitment, patience, and determination.
Who's a chef? Who's a sous-chef? Who's a cooks assistant? You've found a home in our kitchen.
Too tired? Unable to sacrifice? Satisfied to eat what's served and go to bed? You better get out of our kitchen before we show you the back door.
.............The WINNING TRADITION CONTINUES.......... -Jeff Neibauer HOF #3
Baseball has the best cliches of all the major sports because they ring true. "We're just going to take it one game at a time and Lord willing, good things will happen" "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes....it rains." These classic lines from "Bull Durham" stress the necessity of allowing the game to come to you and maintaining an even temperament.
There is a fine line between having an even temperament and being flat. "Bull Durham" also points out the need for timely, directed, and channeled fire and intensity. In one classic scene the manager and coach "address" the squad while they shower, throwing bats at their feet and lambasting them as a bunch of "lollygaggers."
Contradictory logic? No, young grasshopper. Perfect wisdom. The game must be played with "fear and arrogance." Fear is defined as humility and respect. This is the strong suit of this year's Nationals squad. Arrogance is a type of confidence bordering on cockiness. Many refer to this quality as swagger. The 2004 squad deperately seeks this.
On Tuesday, the locals reached a new season low, losing to the previously winless Milwaukee McGuire's Cats 8-4. Play-by-play is available on the "2004 Stats and Box Scores" page in the left hand menu column.
Though the team showed some life in battling back from a 6-0 hole, it deperately lacked the emotion and energy which all contending squads possess. Management can tinker with personnel, lineups, batting orders, and on-field strategy, but ultimately this is a private matter that each player must address. The issue is one of heart. On-the-field play should reflect passion and desperation; Passion for a boys' game and the desperation of a man treating each play as if it could be his last.
The 2004 squad can shape its destiny in the next month. Shopping is over. We have the ingredients for a gourmet meal. It's up to us. We can settle and eat the easy and fast, pre-packaged food of losers or we can do a little blending, add fire, and create a gourmet meal. The latter requires energy,effort, commitment, patience, and determination.
Who's a chef? Who's a sous-chef? Who's a cooks assistant? You've found a home in our kitchen.
Too tired? Unable to sacrifice? Satisfied to eat what's served and go to bed? You better get out of our kitchen before we show you the back door.
.............The WINNING TRADITION CONTINUES.......... -Jeff Neibauer HOF #3
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