Josh Land

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Kid"

March 27, 2015, 8:25am

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Kid"

There will be books written about baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams for as long as the printing presses roll. Williams provided a lot of material in a life filled with his baseball superstar status, turbulent private life, running quarrels with the Boston baseball press and cryogenic ending. In "The Kid," Ben Bradlee Jr. left none of that life untouched in this can't-wait-to-turn-the-page read. Check out the accompanying video for more on "The Kid." A shout out to the Selby Public...

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Updates on Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon

March 27, 2015, 8:19am

Nationals

Updates on Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon

VIERA, Fla. - It's time for the medical report from Nationals camp. Unfortunately, this has become the featured portion of manager Matt Williams' morning press conversations. Let's start with the most positive news of the day. Center fielder Denard Span, who is recovering from abdominal muscle surgery, is scheduled to swing a fungo bat in the cages today. "It's good progress," Williams said. "It's part of the rehab progression. Of course we want him back as quickly as possible, keeping...

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Bryce Harper returns from illness, Drew Storen due to pitch (with Nats lineup and cuts)

March 27, 2015, 6:37am

Nationals

Bryce Harper returns from illness, Drew Storen due to pitch (with Nats lineup and cuts)

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have reassigned the following players to minor league camp: infielders Cutter Dykstra and Emmanuel Burriss, catcher Steven Lerud, outfielder Derrick Robinson, infielder/outfielder Kila Ka'aihue and right-hander Manny Delcarmen. Right fielder Bryce Harper is back in the lineup after dealing with a stomach virus the past two days. Right-hander Drew Storen is among the pitchers scheduled to appear today after starter Jordan Zimmermann. It will be Storen's first...

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Orioles to celebrate Kids' Opening Day on Sunday, April 12

March 27, 2015, 6:32am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced plans for their first-ever Kids' Opening Day, which will be held Sunday, April 12, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards when the Orioles host the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:35 p.m. The celebration will welcome children and their families to a new season of Orioles Baseball with many fun activities and unique gameday opportunities for several lucky kids throughout the day. Kids' Opening Day will feature a kids-only giveaway, as the first 7,500 fans age 14 and under will...

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Orioles News Release orioles

Max Scherzer's value extends beyond the field

March 26, 2015, 9:35pm

Nationals

Max Scherzer's value extends beyond the field

VIERA, Fla. - When Nationals right-hander Doug Fister showed up at spring training, he was swarmed by media wanting insight on Max Scherzer, the new high-profile member of an already elite rotation. Fister and Scherzer starred together for 2 1/2 years on a Tigers staff that was as impressive as any in baseball. "He's an incredible guy. It's a huge honor for me to be a teammate of his again, to be able to sit back and watch him and continue to learn from him," Fister said. "He's got a...

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A fiery Gio Gonzalez shuts down Mets, bullpen falters

March 26, 2015, 5:31pm

Nationals

A fiery Gio Gonzalez shuts down Mets, bullpen falters

VIERA, Fla. - After giving up back-to-back walks in the third inning, Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez shouted an expletive that could be heard in the left field tiki bar at Space Coast Stadium. "I have a split personality. I talk to myself a lot," Gonzalez said, admitting frustration after the game. "Once in a while, you're going to get a firecracker out of me. The cool thing is learning how to keep your composure knowing that guys are back there telling you, 'Hey, you've got this.' Even...

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Gio Gonzalez strikes out five (Nats lose 8-3)

March 26, 2015, 1:58pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez strikes out five (Nats lose 8-3)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Mets 8, Nats 3 Recap: Gio Gonzalez pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits with three walks and five strikeouts. The Nats finally got on the board in the sixth on a pair of doubles from center fielder Michael A. Taylor and right fielder Clint Robinson. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman followed with a single and the Nats scored all three runs during a two-out rally to pull ahead 3-1. But the Mets scored seven runs over the last three innings to erase the...

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Bryce Harper misses second day with stomach virus, time running out for Jayson Werth

March 26, 2015, 11:46am

Nationals

Bryce Harper misses second day with stomach virus, time running out for Jayson Werth

VIERA, Fla. - Bryce Harper will not be in right field for the second straight game when the Nationals take on the Mets today. The 22-year-old has been dealing with a stomach virus according to manager Matt Williams. "He was really feeling bad yesterday and then today he's still not feeling well," said Williams. "He did a little bit of light swinging in the cage. He's still not feeling good so we sent him home today. He could be OK to go tomorrow. We wanted to get him out of here and not...

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Tyler Moore looks to solidify a spot (Harper out with stomach bug)

March 26, 2015, 9:36am

Nationals

Tyler Moore looks to solidify a spot (Harper out with stomach bug)

VIERA, Fla. - Today's starting left fielder, Tyler Moore, was the story early in the exhibition season as extra-base hits were flying off his bat. His scorching spring has been overshadowed the past two weeks by a series of injuries facing Nationals starters. As we approach the home stretch of spring training, Moore's has a .351 average with three homers, seven doubles, a triple and eight RBIs in 15 Grapefruit League games. The 28-year-old Moore showed up at camp out of options and needing to...

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Orioles to host fifth annual All Faiths Food Drive on Tuesday, March 31

March 26, 2015, 6:36am

Orioles

On Tuesday, March 31, the Orioles will host the 5th annual All Faiths Food Drive to help underserved families in the Sarasota area. Fans attending the 1:05 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations to benefit the All Faiths Food Bank. Since 2011, over 2,896 pounds of food and $4,000 in cash donations have been collected at the yearly food drive to help underserved families in the Sarasota area. In 2014,...

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Orioles News Release orioles

Throwback Thursday: The no-no

March 26, 2015, 5:01am

Nationals

While you cross off the days on your calendar until April 6, I thought I'd take it back to the best moment in Nationals history. Need I say more? I will warn you that watching the highlights from Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter may actually make the days, hours and minutes until opening day feel longer. Just remember, only 11 more days.

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Throwback Thursday: In a pinch

March 26, 2015, 4:56am

Orioles

With the Orioles season just around the corner, I thought we'd throw it back to a thriller at Camden Yards. On June 23, Chris Davis was kept out of the lineup to rest. After eight innings on the bench, Buck Showalter called on Davis to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth with the O's trailing the White Sox by a run. On a full count, Davis smashed a three-run homer to right, bringing Baltimore to its feet! While you anxiously wait another 11 days until opening day, relive Davis' pinch-hit,...

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With Anthony Rendon doubtful for opening day, who's on third?

March 26, 2015, 4:42am

Nationals

With Anthony Rendon doubtful for opening day, who's on third?

VIERA, Fla. - The opening day countdown is on for the Nationals and third baseman Anthony Rendon. The star injured his knee on March 9 while making a typical Rendon-esque play, diving to his left to stop a sure base bit and then jumping to his feet to fire to Ryan Zimmerman at first base for the out. Rendon actually came up to bat in the bottom half of the sixth inning against the Braves that day and then hasn't played since. The initial report was just a bruised knee. That was eventually...

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Scherzer dominantly backs up Williams' opening day call

March 25, 2015, 1:27pm

Nationals

Scherzer dominantly backs up Williams' opening day call

VIERA, Fla. - Two day after Nationals manager Matt Williams announced Max Scherzer will start opening day, the prized right-hander turned in a nine-strikeout gem in 1-0 loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday. St. Louis managed just three hits in six innings against Scherzer, his longest outing of the spring. "I'm happy with that," said Scherzer. "No walks. Nine strikeouts. That happens. That was a result of me just executing pitches today. I really felt like I did a good job of generating...

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Scherzer making quick work of Cardinals so far (Nats fall 1-0)

March 25, 2015, 9:56am

Nationals

Scherzer making quick work of Cardinals so far (Nats fall 1-0)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Cardinals 1, Nationals 0 Recap: Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer was spectacular, allowing just four baserunners while striking out a whopping nine Cardinals in six innings. St. Louis threatened only in the fifth when catcher Yadier Molina singled and John Jay doubled. But Scherzer struck out Cardinals starter Michael Wacha to end threat. Need to know: Nats second baseman Yunel Escobar grounded out three times and is now 1-for-5 in his two exhibition games. Tough...

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After Rendon's second MRI, Williams says opening day is "in jeopardy"

March 25, 2015, 8:33am

Nationals

After Rendon's second MRI, Williams says opening day is "in jeopardy"

JUPITER, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams is concerned Anthony Rendon will not be ready for the beginning of the season after revealing that his third baseman underwent a second MRI exam on his sprained left MCL yesterday. Rendon has not played since injuring the knee while making a brilliant stop against the Braves on March 9. The Mets come to Nationals Park in just 13 days for the official start of the 2015 season. Williams' optimism for Rendon's availability is fading quickly. "I...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Crazy Horse - A Life"

March 25, 2015, 8:01am

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Crazy Horse - A Life"

Crazy Horse is a name that evokes the history of Native Americans in the western United States at a time when they were being pushed from their lands, and the violence between U.S. troops and numerous tribes was ongoing. Among the most noted of all chiefs, Crazy Horse's life is tough to recreate. Larry McMurtry tried to do just that in "Crazy Horse - A Life," written in 1999. The writing is suburb. The story is engrossing. Check out the video for more on the book. I am delighted the Enoch...

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Another tune-up for opening day starter Max Scherzer (with lineups)

March 25, 2015, 6:52am

Nationals

Another tune-up for opening day starter Max Scherzer (with lineups)

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals will skip left-hander Gio Gonzalez in the rotation for today's game and pitch opening day starter Max Scherzer to keep him on schedule for the beginning of the season. Scherzer has allowed just three runs in 14 innings during Grapefruit League competition. Yunel Escobar will start at second base and bat leadoff in his second appearance of the spring. He was 1-for-2 in Monday's win over the Yankees. Danny Espinosa makes his second spring start at third base...

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Gonzalez: Ramos "determined to lead this rotation to where it needs to be"

March 25, 2015, 4:36am

Nationals

Gonzalez: Ramos "determined to lead this rotation to where it needs to be"

JUPITER, Fla. - Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez is coming off his best outing of the spring, pitching four scoreless innings while striking out five and only allowing two hits and a walk last Thursday. After his effort, he turned all of the attention to batterymate Wilson Ramos for confidently guiding him through his afternoon. "For some reason, just talking to Wilson it looked like he knew what he wanted to do," Gonzalez said. "His gameplan was almost as simple as, 'Just follow me and...

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Can Bryce Harper silence the critics in 2015? (Heath Bell retires)

March 24, 2015, 4:58am

Nationals

Can Bryce Harper silence the critics in 2015? (Heath Bell retires)

VIERA, Fla. - By now, I'm sure you're aware of the ESPN The Magazine baseball preview, which includes an anonymous poll of major leaguers about a variety of topics. Most notable on the list was the balloting on the game's most overrated player. For the second consecutive year, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper won - or maybe lost - in a landslide. Harper received 41 percent of the vote, far ahead of Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, who finished second with 15 percent. The same two topped the...