Thomas Boswell is like a kid on Christmas morning that just got a shiny new bike with a pixie stick dispenser or something. During the First Things First chat, either Tracee Hamilton or Dave Shenin said it was the “most Boswellian Boswell column ever” (The Post) and they are probably correct. However, I don’t begrudge Boswell’s enthusiasm because having Washington Nationals spring training news is a reminder that spring is coming. That and the forecast that it will be over 70° today. It might be time for the first gin and tonic of 2011.

Boswell is chatting at 1 p.m. He’ll be very optmistic and probably ignore the Redskins/Dan Snyder situation that I still haven’t blogged about because I’m still dumbfounded by it and don’t think I can come up with anything new.

You know, Stephen Strasburg is throwing the ball up to you know, 45 feet for a few minutes at time, you know. Um, yay?

Liván Hernández will be the Opening Day starter, six years after he first did it for the Nats. THE PLAN! http://www.csnwashington.com/02/16/11/Once-again-Nats-will-count-on-Livo/landing_v3.html?blockID=411974&feedID=5685 I am okay with it though, because I’m in the tank for LIVAN. Interesting fact: Nobody has been to Viera for spring training more than ¡LIVAN! (Marlins, Expos, Nats)

The new spring training/batting practice jerseys kind of look like hockey sweaters.

Will the Nats make a run at Albert Pujols? Bats (The Times)

Prediction: Chien-Ming Wang will never pitch for the Nats (Nats Insider) in a major league game.