Ryan Zimmerman's Hitting Streak

I am just amazed at Ryan Zimmerman's hitting streak. Since it began I can only recall one game where it took Ryan till his last at bat to extend the streak and that was a nail bitter indeed, there may have been one other but I don't remember it. The usual route Ryan takes is to get his hit in his first at bat. Believe me this sure gives me a sigh of relief when he strokes a hit in bat number one. I think something special is going on here. I am ecstatic that one of the right moves the National's made was signing Ryan long term. Since his rookie season there was just an auroa about Zimmerman that you knew something great was going to happen with this kid. Like the year Bonds hit 73 homers and we saw 49 and 50 in person I just knew something special was going on. It is funny how different generations have their moments in baseball lore they can point to. All the steroid issues not withstanding in my lifetime I have been fortunate enough to be at the game for some really great baseball moments. I with either friends or family have seen Kevin Millwood's no hitter against the Giants, Bonds home runs, Maddux's 300th win, Game 7 NCLS Cubs vs Fish (didn't turn out the right way though), Opening day for baseball's return to DC. Opening Day in the new National's Park (Zimmerman hits a walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th to seal the first win in the new park) to name a few so I do feel lucky to have seen these great things. Now with a 30 game hitting streak going and looking mighty comfortable Zimmerman is treating us to something special, I can just feel it. Unfortunately it seems to be the only joy I am getting from the Nationals, but nonetheless it is a special kind of joy. When I get tired of all the bad news on the economy or political fighting or other world troubles I am happy to turn my thoughts to baseball and have those trouble take a backseat for a few hours. What great baseball or other sporting moments have you seen that have made an impression on you??

The Race for Governor of Virginia

Well here it is only four weeks from the inauguration and I'm already thinking about politics. Virginia has this crazy term limit for its Governors, only one term. That is okay if you don't like the Governor but I've liked the last two and they barely got started then it was time to leave the office. I'm not even considering the Republican candidate because I'm tired of this state being dictated to by the Republican majority in the House of Delegates. So I will definitely vote Democrat this November. Trouble is there are two Democrats, with any real chance, vying for the spot. Virginia will have a primary in June to see who will get the nod. I am supporting Brian Moran over Terry McAuliffe. Why, because I have never liked the way McAuliffe comes off. All the time he was the DNC chair I always felt like I needed a shower after hearing him on TV. Just something about him I could never trust. Perhaps it is the position of party chair that forces you to tell lies but he seems just too adept at it. He seems like the ultimate carpetbagger. That leads me to Brian Moran. He has an honest feel about him. I was watching my daughter perform at this year's Old Town Alexandria X-mas (holiday for all you PC types) tree lighting and Brian was there with the delegation of politicians. I liked his interaction with the kids and the other politicians. My first impression of him is that hey this is a down to earth honest guy. I researched his website and I trust his judgement and his positions on the issues. These are but a few reasons why I'm going to support him. Check him out at www.brianmoran.com

Smoking Ban...maybe not

Well at first my heart soared at the news that the Virginia House of Delegates had voted to approve a smoking ban in restaurants in Virginia. But then came the reality that the bill had been watered down. The first compromise I could live with, smoking allowed in private clubs and in restaurants that have a separate room with a separate ventilation system. Okay not a total ban but I can live with that because a separate room and vent system would cost money, money a restauranteur would not likely shell out thus preserving the essence of the ban so I was good with that. Then news comes out that last minute ammendments changed that the room only needs to separated by a door, and no separate vent system. So how do you define a door? Swinging door or hermetically sealed? Too much wiggle room. I know a few establishments that we go to will probably hang two doors up and declare it a separate room. So I am disappointed. But at others we frequent, like Glory Days, are too open so I think they will truly be smoke free. I put in a lot of work with my legislators and those legislators opposed to a ban and thought I was seeing the promised land. Well at least I know for next years playoffs I will be able to find a smoke free sports bar to watch at.

Can we just sign Zimmerman?

Well, the Nationals lost their arbitration case to Shawn Hill, guess that cements that relationship. Now lets just sign Zimmerman instead of letting it go that far. The Nats have made Zimmerman the face of the franchise yet they aren't showing him the love. Sure they use him but they haven't rewarded him. I would make my face of the franchise player feel wanted, almost indespensible. If this case goes to arbitration, and I am sure Zimm will get whatever he is asking the arbiter to consider, the bad blood is there and you know he'll bolt upon free agency. Who could blame him. So Nationals front office wake up, get the crowbar out, open up your wallet and sign him to a long term deal. Look if the Nats were willing to spend big bucks on Texiera then they have the money, apply some of that to Zimmerman. If he leaves who will be the face of the franchise? Who is left from 2005 who can carry that mantle?