Schneider and Church for Milledge

I don't know how soon I will be returning to Washington (I am currently considering many post-Bulgaria options), but I think Jim Bowden really pulled off a good trade with the Mets in dealing Brian Schneider and Ryan Church to the Mets for Lastings Milledge. Schneider couldn't hit to save his life these last two years. As for Church, well, the Nationals just didn't like him. Hopefully he'll blossom in a new environment.

As for Milledge, if he expects the Washington area to embrace his egomaniacal antics on the field, well, he's going to get a lesson. Washington media, though more likely to bow to political pressure than New York media, in my opinion, is still tough, and people aren't going to put up with a jerk.

Lastings, consider this a warning. Grow up, produce on the field, and maybe someone will finally like you. You have a lot to prove. Good luck in DC. Say hi to Austin for me.
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1-10-1

That is the Nats' record in Grapefruit League play. That's right, one win. Yes, it is Spring Training. Yes, some of their players are participating in the WBC. Yes, some players are injured. But - we are halfway through the spring and not getting any better. It's a bit worrisome.

Schneider, who has been catching Peavy in the Classic, is hitless. He nearly threw a guy out at second last night, but the Japenese run like Olympic sprinters. If you haven't had the chance to see them play, I'd recommend turning on ESPN 2 tomorrow to see. They have stellar defense, especially their shortstop, and Ichiro is always fun to watch. The US squeaked out a victory yesterday thanks to a bad call by usually good umpire Bob Davidson, who incorrectly ruled a Japanese player left third base too early on a sac fly. But, the US succeeded in loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth (no thanks to Griffey, who K'd,) scoring on A-Rod's hit to take the victory, and who knows what would have happened if the right call had been made? Bad calls are a part of baseball.

Our big, overpriced benchwarmer, Soriwhino, is hitless as well for the Dominicans.

Dominican and Cuba are playing right now. Unfortunately, the commercials are playing, so I don't get to hear the nonsense that goes on in the booth between innings today.