After Bravura Debut, Acta Faces Follow-Up – The Post
To Acta, spring starts now – The Wash. Times
Pitchers and catchers reporting isn’t a big deal to Manny Acta, to him spring starts with the first full squad practice. he enters his sophomore season as Nats skipper looking to build on what was widely considered a successful first season. Ownership even sent him a bonus, terms not disclosed, after last season.
Last year, Acta was the master at keeping things up beat and maintaining a positive attitude during what was expected to be a very difficult season. Even after a dreadful 9-25 start he kept his head up and the team responded. The honeymoon is over for Acta though, as Needhamn pointed out, because we are going to find out how good Acta is at actually managing a baseball team. How will he handle his starting pitchers and bullpen? How will he juggle a lineup with two first basemen and mediocre middle infielders? What about strategy during the game, can he pull of a double-switch?
Nationals’ Zimmerman provides Acta’s team with leadership, plenty of offense – Florida Today
This is a big year for 3B Ryan Zimmerman. He has two full seasons under his belt and has been tapped by Acta to be a team leader. By the end of this season, we may learn whether he will be good or great.
By the way, there is apparently no progress in long-term contract negotiations between Zimmerman and the team.
New Nat makes a Lastings impression – The Free Lance-Star
Milledge Feels At Home in His New Clubhouse – The Post
CF Lastings Milledge, acquired in the Brian Schneider-Ryan Church trade, is excited to be a Washington National:
Just knowing that somebody wants you here and you have a chance to be helpful to the team is key and takes a lot of pressure off you because you already know your role,” Milledge said. “When a team brings you over in a big trade, you already know what they’re looking for.
Milledge also indicated he had no regrets about the way he handled himself as Met and is looking forward to playing in centerfield. Back in 2006, Acta, then a Mets coach, took Milledge under his wing to show him the ropes of being a major leaguer, so they already have a relationship which should help.
Seats available for most games – The Free Lance-Star
Wow, hard numbers from Stan Kasten about season tickets sold. Kasten said they expect to sell the equivalent of 18,000 season tickets by Opening Day. Plenty of seats will be available for the public sale which begins March 4. There will not be a lot of tickets available for Opening Night though, which reminds me, I’m looking for one or two. I would be most grateful to someone who could help my acquire them
Barry Svrluga must be kicking himself for not being around for this announcement.
Speaking of Stan Kasten, Nats320 was on the ground in Viera and interviewed him. I thought Kasten didn’t like bloggers.
Notes: Ayala tells different story – nationals.com
RHP Luis Ayala says the story about a friend accidentally shooting him last December was incorrect. He was actually shot by a bird hunter. He says he is still having some issues with the area of his left arm that was shot, but expects to be ready for Opening Day.
In today’s funny, the Reds are still looking for “closure” (fifth item) over their grievance against the Nats in the Gary Majewski trade. Ha ha! (Cincy Enquirer via Zanesville Times-Recorder).