There aren't many things baseball fans hate more than watching a game in their home stadium when it sounds like they're sitting in the stands of the visiting team. Orioles fans suffer through it during every Yankees and Red Sox series, while the Nationals are forced to endure thousands of Philliy Phanatics each year. Well, no more, cry the Nationals. Last week, the Nationals launched the "Take Back the Park" initiative. This program is an effort to bring more Nationals fans to the park...

Attention those who boast a set of golden pipes, or can at least sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" better than Carl Lewis or Roseanne Barr. The Nationals are searching for performers to sing the national anthem during the 2012 season. Those selected will get the chance to sing our nation's hallmark song in front of thousands of Nationals fans and then enjoy some good ol' fashioned baseball. Applicants are required to submit a resume (audio or video performance) along with a recent photo to...

I have the unfortunate task of passing along some tragic news regarding former Orioles outfielder Danny Clyburn. Clyburn was shot and killed early this morning in Lancaster, S.C., according to a report in The Herald. He would have been 38 on opening day. The Herald reported that Derrick Lamont Mcilwain, 36, of Lancaster, has been arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. A witness told police that Clyburn was arguing with a man just before a shot was...

Innings limit or not, Stephen Strasburg is the focal point in the Nationals' 2012 rotation. Much will be made about Gio Gonzalez's arrival in the National League, whether Jordan Zimmermann can build on his breakthrough season, whether Edwin Jackson will perform enough in D.C. to get the big-money, long-term contract he covets and how well Chien-Ming Wang will hold up to the test of a full season in the starting five. Strasburg? Mention the right-hander with the arsenal that runs the gamut...

I woke up this morning without another pitcher being traded. We're off to a good start. Brad Bergesen's arbitration hearing is scheduled for tomorrow in St. Petersburg, Fla., and there will have to be a flurry of activity between the two sides today to avoid it. Right now, it seems inevitable. Bergesen, also a trade candidate, is seeking $1.2 million. The Orioles are offering $800,000. He was 2-7 with a 5.70 ERA in 34 appearances, including 12 starts, last season. He has an option...

Whether they liked the Jeremy Guthrie trade (a few did) or not, it seemed everyone had an opinion on the deal. It's Day Two WG (without Guthrie) and here are more thoughts on the deal and its ramifications. * I would rather have seen the Orioles trade Guthrie for a couple of 22-year-old pitchers with some promise for the future, and many fans would agree with that. But I also realize that was very difficult to pull off and it sounds like the Orioles had virtually no chance for a deal like...

One member of the organization insisted today that the Rockies provided "by far the best offer" that the Orioles received for pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. Some teams wanted the Orioles to eat a lot of salary and they weren't dangling prospects in return. The Orioles and Guthrie were $3 million apart and headed to arbitration this morning. The Orioles weren't going to split the difference, and they most definitely weren't going to pay him the $10.25 million that he sought. They deemed it to be...

Football season is over, which means baseball season's just around the corner. And it's Babe Ruth's 117th birthday, to boot! Good thing the Sultan of Swat doesn't have to summon up enough breath to blow out all those candles. NatsTown has generally welcomed the return of Rick Ankiel, who has agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Unless he falls flat on his face or is hurt, it's a good bet Ankiel will come north as part of the Nationals' 25-man roster. But...

Jason Hammel was all set to report to spring training in Arizona with the Colorado Rockies. After today's trade to the Orioles, along with Matt Lindstrom for Jeremy Guthrie, the 29-year-old right-hander will now be heading to Sarasota soon to join his new team. "Obviously, it was a surprise this morning," Hammel told reporters via a conference call this afternoon. "My plans had basically been finished for spring training in Arizona, but that doesn't change anything. Baseball doesn't...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette just completed a conference call with reporters that also included new pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom. He described them as being dependable, durable, qualified major league pitchers. Hammel is viewed as capable of replacing Jeremy Guthrie's innings in the rotation, and Lindstrom will work the back end of the bullpen with experience as a closer and set-up man. Duquette referenced Jim Johnson as another power arm in the back of the 'pen,...