Johnny Holliday

Hoping Santa delivers winning blueprints, a bat, an arm and good health

2011-12-17T14:00:46Z

'Tis the season to be jolly, to ask the big man in the red suit for a few special items to be left under the Christmas tree, and a time to be thankful for so many things.

For me, thanks to all the Terrapins and Nationals supporters for sticking with us through thick and thin. No question, the Maryland football season was not a good one. Injuries, a tough schedule and so many other factors resulted in a 10-loss season -not the way new head coach Randy Edsall had envisioned his first year at the helm in College Park. One thing is for certain: there's nowhere to go but up for next year. I appreciate the die-hard Terps fans sticking it out, and I know the players appreciate it. Hopefully, Santa will leave the Terps blueprints for a winning season in 2012

As for the Nats, I can hardly wait for spring training to begin down in Viera, Fla. Just a couple pieces of Mike Rizzo's puzzle remain to be worked out. We saw improvement last season from the ballclub. With Davey Johnson managing fro the get-go, the 2012 season should have the same result - Another big step forward and a shot at being a serious contender in the National League East. Let's hope Mr. Claus can find another bat and another arm to make Johnson and Rizzo's Christmas a good one.

I mentioned earlier there are so many things to be thankful for. First and foremost, the health of my grandson, Jack Rolle. It was May 2009 when Jack was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He was 11 at the time. Terrific doctors, nurses, and strong support from family members and total strangers played in a big role in Jack's battle with cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, he has slowly returned to his old self.

Jack is beating that dreaded disease. His hair has returned, he moved on to the seventh grade at Mater Dei School, where he plays all sports, and his fight and determination have been an inspiration to us all. Your thoughts and prayers played a big part in his recovery. I can never thank Terps and Nats fans enough. Jack is 13 now and going strong.

All I ask is for Santa to deliver more good health to Jack and to each of you. Merry Christmas!

A look ahead makes NatsTown eager for 2012

2011-09-10T17:49:22Z

Nothing can replace enthusiam in a young baseball player, not to mention the ability to look ahead with nothing but a positive attitide. With the addition of the newcomers who have been called up from Triple-A Syracuse the past few days, it's refreshing to see how the future headliners with the Nationals look at the future of the organization.

You've seen for yourself the solid pitching of young Tommy Milone and the tremendous potential of a Steve Lombardozzi and Chris Marrero. Craig Stammen is back and looks better than ever, and then there's Stephen Strasburg. What an incrdedible path he's taken to get back on the mound 368 days after Tommy John surgery.

We've said it time and time again on "Nats Xtra": Next season should be a major step forward for the ballclub. No way will Jayson Werth get off to such a slow start. Michael Morse should continue to bash the ball with the best of them. A healthy Adam LaRoche at first will be a welcome addition, but no one will forget the great job Morse did at first filling in. WIlson Ramos will be better, so will Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa. No one does it better than Ryan Zimmerman at third base. The pitching rotation headed up by Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann has the potential to be one of the best in the game.

Even though we've still got three weeks left in this season, I can't help but look ahead to 2012. A lot of other organizations are envious of what general Mike Rizzo and the Lerners have put together here in Washington - and the best is yet to come!

Winning background, confident nature bode well for Johnson

2011-06-29T17:14:58Z

Now that the shock waves have subsided after last week's sudden resignation from Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, it's time to move on and focus on the future of the ball club.

No question, Riggleman stepping down caught everyone off guard and I still wonder if maybe he regrets taking such a stand. I have no idea, only he knows the answer to that question. One thing I do know and firmly believe is that vice president and general manager Mike Rizzo was fortunate to have Davey Johnson as his special assistant and able to convince Johnson to put the uniform back on after an 11-year absence from managing a big league club.

Davey will be terrific! A no-nonsense guy and, in the words of my partner Ray Knight, Davey is a players' manager. He will demand performance and execution from every member of the club. He does have patience, but that can go only so far.

The thing I like about Johnson is his upbeat, confident nature. He believes in his players and expects to win every night the Nats step bertwen the lines. Call it old-school if you like, but one thing you can never question is his record as a manager. Just ask the Orioles, Reds, Mets and Dodgers.

One he gets familiar with the personnel, look out. He's a winner, a motivator, and a good guy!.

See you at the park.

Split in the desert a good start to long trip

2011-06-06T17:50:38Z

Taking two out of three from Philadelphia, followed by a split in the desert against the Arizona Diamondbacks, showed me that the Nationals have what it takes to knock off the big boys and cause havoc in the standings.

Last time I checked, the Phillies were head and shoulders above everyone else in the National League East with a pitching staff as good as any in baseball. The D-backs are in a fight with the Dodgers, Rockies and Giants out west and should be looking at postseason play when all is said and done.

Have you ever witnessed such a wild game as the Sunday afternoon affair on Phoneix? Jason Marquis was ejected after drilling Justin Upton, and no way was it intentional. Not when you're working on a three-hit shutout and you've got a one-run lead. Instead of getting his seventh win of the season, Marquis got a no-decision alongside his name after the D-backs tied it in the ninth with three runs.

But the Nats were not about to lose this one and a five-run 11th, highlighted by Michael Morse's second grand slam of the season, lifted Washington to a 9-4 win and a split of the four-game series.

So now it's on to the city by the bay, San Francisco, and a three-game series with the Giants. The Nats have already taken three of four from San Francisco back in early May.

Consistency is the one thing everyone can put their finger on that is lacking - not only for the Nationals but so many other ball clubs in Major League Baseball. If anyone has a solution, that person could make millions because so far, no one can solve this mystery.

When Ryan Zimmerman returns to the lineup, which may be within the next couple of weeks, that will be a big step forward. Once Jason Werth gets in a groove and takes his game to the next level, the ballclub could easily do the same.

It sure is fun to watch the guys battling and hustling with that never-say-die attitude. Let's hope they keep it up against the Giants and Padres and return home to D.C. with a better than .500 record on this three-city, 11-game trip to the West Coast.

Changing sports scene, and a lot to like about the Nats

2011-05-18T03:31:20Z

It has been quite an interesting few weeks for sports in Maryland. The Nationals are playing just under .500 baseball and doing so without third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. At the University of Maryland, Gary Williams' decision to retire as head basketball coach at his alma mater after 22 seasons caught everyone off guard, including yours truly. Mark Turgeon moves from Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, to College Park, Md., to fill the shoes of the future Hall of Famer.

So many of you Nats fans are also Terps fans and vice versa. One thing is for certain: Sports can be very unpredictable!

Williams was a heck of a baseball player growing up in Collingswood, N.J., and had he wanted to could have probably played at the collegiate level. He has followed the Nats ever since they landed in D.C. and with more free time should be seen on a more regular basis at the ballpark. I'm going to miss Williams and like every Terrapin fan, I look forward to the day when he's inducted in the Hall of Fame and has the court at Comcast Center named after him.

My take so far on Turgeon is that Maryland could not have picked a better person or coach to succeed Williams. Credit must go to Kevin Anderson, Maryland;s athletic director, for discovering a diamond in the rough in coach Turgeon. Best wishes also go out to former Maryland assistant Mike Lonergan, who returns to the area as the new head basketball coach at George Washington University, and Jim Larranaga< who leaves George Mason to head south to Miami to coach the Hurricanes. They are two well-respected coaches and outstanding individuals .

Back to Nats baseball, how does one explain Steve McCatty and Jim Lett's pitchers? The starters have the sixth-best ERA in the National League and have issued the third-fewest walks behind the Phillies and Brewers. When Tom Gorzelanny takes the hill, opponents are only able to post a .193 batting average against the lefty. Not to shabby for the fifth wheel in the rotation cycle.Then there is Jason Marquis (and his five wins so far this season), who sports the fourth-lowest ERA in the senior curcuit.

I love Roger Bernadina in that leadoff spot and his defense patrolling center field has been outstanding. The catch he made against the Marlins has to be the catch of the season. Jerry Hairston Jr. came through earlier this week with a home run to help beat the Pirates, then proudly told MASNsports.com's Ben Goessling and I on "Nats Xtra" postgame that his hoops game can be compared to Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.

Pitching and defense have been the keys to the club's success as we approach the one-third mark of the season. When the hitting catches up, which I believe it will soon, then it's really going to be fun.

See you at the ballpark. If you can't make it, dial us in before and after every game on "Nats Xtra."

Arms, bats heating up at the right time

2011-04-30T17:21:57Z

So it's only a two-game winning streak, but I'll take it and so will you!

Not only is it two straight in the win column, but look how the Nationals did it. Back-to-back solid performances on the hill from a couple of veteran pitchers Livan Hernandez and Jason Marquis were the key. Livo went eight innings against the Mets and got the win, then Jason said, 'Anything you can do, I can do better,' so he went out and fired a five-hit complete game against the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

For Marquis, it's his seventh career complete game and first since 2009 when he blanked the Dodgers in L.A., 3-0 as a member of the Colorado Rockies. What made it even sweeter was he beat Tim Lincecum, who has picked up back-to-back Cy Young awards in the National league.

You've got to love both these guys; Livo for his casual approach to the game and Jason for battling back from elbow surgery last season. What we saw against the Giants was exactly the kind of outing manager Jim Riggleman expected from the native New Yorker.

The Nats' skipper, never one to get too high or too low, knows full well the pitching has been carrying this team through the first month of the season. When the bats catch up, it's gonna be fun.

One guy who seems to have broken out is Ian Desmond. You can credit being a new dad, a couple of days off, or just swinging a hot bat, but Desmond has come back to the club after that paternity leave hotter than the Florida sun in August. Combining his numbers for the past two games, he's hit for the cycle with a home run and triple against the Mets, followed by a double and single against the Giants. Hernandez and Marquis both got it done with the bat as well.

As Willie Harris told me before the Mets game Thursday night, his former club is going to be just fine when all the pieces start fitting together at the same time. They have done just that the last two nights. Now they've got to take the momentum and run with it.

Young heroes, veteran leadership and Morgan's parting shot

2011-04-09T13:04:21Z

There is no better time to post my first blog of the new season than after back-to-back wins over Florida and the New York Mets. But before discussing baseball, I did want to bring everyone up to date on the progress of my hero, one of my grandsons, 12-year-old Jack Rolle, the pride and joy of Mater Dei school in Bethesda, Md.

Jack and his family just received more good news this week. His latest MRI showed no cancer cells, which means he has been cancer-free now almost one full year! Two years ago next month, Jack was diagnosed with a malignant, inoperable brain tumor. Chemotherapy and radiation eliminated the tumor and his condition has improved every day. I can not express my thanks to each and every one of you who took time to send Jack a card or say a prayer in his behalf. I honestly believe those thoughts and prayers played a major reole in his recovery.

On April 14, Heroes Against Childhood Cancer wil host its second annual night at Nationals Park when the Phillies come to town. Jack will be among the brave boys and girls to take the field as part of the starting nine as we continue the fight against children with cancer benefiting the Children's National Medical Center. I hope you be at the game that night to recognize the young patients, their families and doctors.

As for the Nationals, I still firmly believe this is a ballclub that's capable of winning a minimum 10 more games than last season. Ask any of the players and that number is a bit too low from their perspective. All I can base my projection on is the mix of young players and veterans that general manager Mike Rizzo has assembled for manager Jim Riggleman. Toss in what could be - and should be - the best bullpen the club has put together since coming to Washington, and I'm looking at a much-improved Nats team, up and down the lineup.

Adam LaRoche, Jason Werth, Ivan Rodriguez, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Rick Ankiel have brought solid credentials, not to mention veteran leadership, to the team. And boy, do I like what Sean Burnett, Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard and company have done coming out of the bullpen. Those guys have to make the starters feel a whole lot better knowing if they can pitch into the sixth or seventh, the 'pen can close it out.

Nyjer Morgan has been quoted recently about his stay in D.C. and his treatment by the ballclub. The speedy outfielder, now with Milwaukee, apparantly still wants to stir things up. I never had a problem with Morgan. He was always polite and accomodating anytime I wanted an interview. I guess I'll find out just how close we really were when the Brew Crew comes town next weekend. I hope Morgan finds happiness in Milwaukee and closes the book on his time with the Nationals.

It's great to have "The Silver Fox," Ray Knight, back at the "Nats Xtra" desk with me before and after every game. You've got to love the viewpoints of the Most Valuable Player of the 1986 World Series.

We both look forward to visiting with you at Nationals Park.

A few Nats-themed wishes for 2011

2011-01-06T18:35:36Z

Happy new year to Nats fans everywhere!

Now that we've turned the corner to 2011, that means spring training is just around the corner Let's bring it on - the sooner the better, I'm not exactly a big fan of cold, dreary days with rain, wind and an occasional snowflake or two.

Most of you have made a new year's resolution, so I thought I might just as well come up with a little wish list for 2011. In no particular order, here are just a few things I'd like to see in the weeks and months ahead for the Washington Nationals.

* A winning season for the ballclub The Lerners have really opened their checkbook and general manager Mike Rizzo has taken the lead with some nice key additions to the ballclub, starting with Jason Werth.

* May Werth find even more success here in D.C. than he experienced in Philly. And Adam LaRoche, too - from the desert to the nation's capital with a first baseman's glove that's among the best in baseball.

* For manager Jim Riggleman, to lead the club to postseason play. I know that may be a reach, but why not at least have that as one of your goals? No better place to do it than in the area where he grew up. Riggleman is as good as they come in dealing with players and the media.

* This is Rizzo's dream job come true. He is respected by everyone in the game and now it's his time to finally get the recognition he deserves.

* For Ryan Zimmerman to continue to be the cornerstone of the franchise and see his numbers stay among the best for third basemen.

* For some of the young guys on the club, here's hoping that 2011 is just the next step. Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, Drew Storen, Wilson Ramos, Roger Bernadina and Collin Balester gave every Nats fan a glimpse of what the future holds.

* My wish for Bryce Harper is knock the cover off the ball in spring training and stay on track to the big leagues.

* For Nyjer Morgan, to work on hitting lefties, stay consistent and keep it up-tempo.

* For Michael Morse, continued production. His15 home runs in 98 games says something for Morse and his value to the team. Those 15 homers were fourth-best total on the ballclub last year.

* For Stephen Strasburg, hopefully the days will pass quickly as you continue to rehab and get back with the ballclub, able to throw better than ever.

* One more starting pitcher to give the Nationals a solid rotation. Rizzo may already have one by the time you read this.

* I also wish Adam Dunn all the best. Nats fans will never forget what he did for this ballclub. Same goes for Wil Nieves, as fan-friendly a player as you'll ever see. I hope the club sees fit to keep Willie Harris, who can play multiple positions and come through in the clutch with timely base hits and is a clubhouse guy any team would relish.

Just a few of my wishes for 2011. I always enjoy seeing yours.

Welcoming Werth

2010-12-14T19:13:19Z

Happy holidays to every Nats fan. Like most of you, I'm looking forward to Wednesday's press conference at Nationals Park when we get to meet and greet the newest Washington Nationals outfielder, Jayson Werth. No question, Werth's numbers catch everyone's eyes after a 2010 season with the Phillies that saw him rack up career-best numbers in hits, doubles, extra-base hits and runs scored. Be sure to join us live at 1 p.m. on MASN for the press conference.

On another note, here is the latest update on one of my grandsons, Jack Rolle, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May 2009. The 12-year-old who I refer to as "The Amazing Jacko" has been cancer-free after his last three checkups at 12-week intervals. Sure goes to show you that good doctor care, strong support from family and friends, not to mention prayers, all combined to give Jack's situation a hopeful, positive ending.

Last week Jack, his mom, dad and brothers Chris and Nick were the guests of CureSearch for Children's Cancer at the Shark Shootout, Greg Norman's tournament in Naples, Fla. Jack was the honored guest for the event and was the keynote speaker at the kickoff dinner Thursday night attended by more than 300 people at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The 22 golfers in the tournament field were all on hand and the list reads like a who's who in golf: Mike Weir, Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard, Rory Sabatini, Fred Funk, Davis Love III, David Duvall, Matt Kuchar and Darren Clark.

Jack's speech at that dinner was incredible. "I do things like that for a living and could not have done as well as you," were the words of Chris Berman when the little guy was finished. There was not a dry eye in the house, myself included. The next day at the golf clinic, put on by Norman with help from Bubba Watson and Ricky Fowler, Jack showed off his golfing talents by blasting shot after shot, long and straight down the fairway.

But the best was yet to come. On Saturday's third round, Norman asked Jack if he would like to walk the 18 holes with him, with Nick and Chris joining them. "Are you kidding me? What about me?" I thought to myself. Talk about a thrill! They walked, I watched.

What a weekend and memories Jack will never forget. The one line I will never forget that Jack included in his five-minute speech on the road he has traveled to beat cancer was his wish that no boy or girl will ever go through what he's gone through - and with everyone's support, one day soon there will be no cancer.

Jack Rolle is my hero and I'm proud he's my grandson.

Pitching likely to be the difference maker in 2010 World Series

2010-10-27T22:21:45Z

Game one of the 2010 World Series is set for tonight, but before we get into who you like and who's gonna do what, Congratulation's are in order for Jim Riggleman!

The Nats won 69 games this past season, an improvement by 10 games over last season. The players respect Jim for the way he treats them and the way he conducts business within the clubhouse. The entire coaching staff will also be back next season.

Now on the to Fall Classic. So much for the Yankees and Phillies matchup. Texas and San Francisco had other ideas and this best-of-seven should be a dandy World Series.

San Francisco beat a very good Philadelphia team and Texas upset the NY Yankees' apple cart to earn their first trip to the World Series.

Tonight in Game One, the Giants will throw Tim Lincecum, and the Rangers will counter with lefty Cliff Lee.
Lincecum has twice won the National League Cy Young Award, while Lee has posted the best numbers in postseason play the last two years, winning seven with nary a loss and a stingy ERA of 1.26.

Against the Giants this year, Lee won all three starts with a 0.75 ERA. Pitching could very well determine who stands alone with the 2010 trophy in hand when all is said and done.

Besides Lincecum, the Giants have Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez and Brian Wilson coming out of the bullpen.
Besides Lee, who has visions of big dollar signs as a free agent, Texas has Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson and rookie closer Neftali Feliz.

The Rangers have gone deep every game so far in the postseason. The Giants have not scored a ton of runs. In fact, they have averaged just 3 runs a game! But they do have Cody Ross who has 4 home runs to his credit and a nifty .794 slugging percentage.

The Rangers' Josh Hamilton is a feel good story. The kid from Raleigh North Carolina is a former number one pick who successfully battled alcohol and drug problems, dropped out of baseball, found some religion and may end up as the Most Valuable Player in the National league.

I think it's the Rangers in 5 - Who do you like?

Espinosa living his dream

2010-09-08T00:07:57Z

Danny Espinosa is this season's rising star in the Nationals' farm system. Monday afternoon, the 23-year-old middle infielder had a five-hit game that included two home runs and six RBI.

Johnny had a chance to catch up with Danny to not only talk about Monday afternoon's game, but also his excitement at having his family at the game to watch him play.

To watch the entire interview, watch the video below.

Getting the fans' attention

2010-08-30T14:12:13Z

How 'bout that weekend series with the St. Louis Cardinals, where the Nats took 3 out of 4 from a team very much in contention in the NL Central.

With no postseason plans for this season Jim Riggleman's club can be a very disruptive force these final weeks of the season. Ask the Braves and Phillies, as well as the Cardinals how it feels. The Nats have taken series from all three clubs in recent weeks.

The series with Tony La Russa's Redbirds sent every Nationals fan home saying, "Now this is what it's supposed to be like when we come to watch this team play."

A total of 31 runs and 52 hits in four games will get your attention very quickly.

Speaking of getting someone's attention, Nyjer Morgan's play at the plate Saturday night cost him Sunday's game. Skipper Jim Riggleman was not at all pleased with Morgan going after the Cardinals' catcher as he crossed home plate and sat his center fielder down for the finale of the series.

Riggleman thought it was out of character for Morgan, and I totally agree. I know one thing for sure, it won't happen again under Riggleman's watch.

When we look at some of the hot numbers being put up by this ballclub, you gotta start with Michael Morse: 8-for-12 against St Louis, 4 extra base hits, 4 RBIs, 4 runs scored, and a cool .667 batting average for the series. Now that kind of performance should keep Morse in the lineup.

Not to be outdone by Morse, Ian Desmond has been oh-so-consistent of late, and finally, Adam Dunn is back on track again. We knew it had to happen, but I'm sure it's taken longer than Dunn wanted to regain that home run swing of his.

Congratulations are in order for Livan Hernandez and his contract extension through 2011. In his 15 seasons in the big leagues, Levo has never gone on the DL, and without question he has been the most consistent arm in the starting rotation this season.

Finally, this week will probably be the week that Stephen Strasburg undergoes Tommy John surgery. Every Nationals fan will be thinking of Strasburg and wishing him well. Let's hope his year of rehab flies by quickly and he returns to the mound better than ever.

Holliday enjoys being teammates with Pujols

2010-08-29T18:30:00Z

Matt Holliday was acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade with the Oakland A's in 2009. The Cardinals then re-signed him this offseason to a long-term contract.

Johnny took some time to talk with Matt about hitting behind Albert Pujols. They also touched on Matt's thoughts about the development of the Nats and his decision to choose baseball over football.

Watch the video below for the whole interview.

Mench happy to be back in the States

2010-08-23T23:15:00Z

The Nationals signed a slew of players to minor league contracts this past offseason, including outfield Kevin Mench.

Mench spent the 2009 baseball season in Japan, but decided it was time to come home for the 2010 season.

The Nats kept Mench in the minors for much of the year before recalling the right-handed hitter on Aug. 7. Kevin is happy to be with Washington and is thrilled about playing close to his home state of Delaware.

Watch the video below to see the full interview between Kevin and Johnny.

Andre Dawson: From Miami to Cooperstown

2010-08-11T00:18:13Z

Andre Dawson played outfield for four different organizations throughout his 21-year career. Most notably, though, he played with the Montreal Expos, the team that became the Nationals.

Johnny had the chance to sit down with Dawson to touch on a number of topics, including Dawson winning the MVP award in 1987 with the last place Chicago Cubs.

Watch the video below to see what else the Hall of Famer had to say about his career.