Nationals to Hire Jim Riggleman as Manager

Reports say that Jim Riggleman will be hired as the Washington Nationals manager for the 2010 season. The team will be holding a press conference some time today in order to make the announcement. Riggleman took over for previous manager Manny Acta after he went 26-61 with a .299 winning percentage. Under Riggleman, the team's performance improved with a record of 33-42 and a winning percentage of .440.

Clearly a change was needed. While the Nationals may be rebuilding, Acta was not getting the most out of his players. The team became much more competitive very quickly under Riggleman. The sign of progress is encouraging and I hope Riggleman can continue to improve the team with spring training and a full season to work with. Yet I have to wonder if Riggleman was the best candidate out there. In situations such as these, many teams don't seem to look very hard. Rather than search for the best candidate teams now seem to look for the most obvious. Riggleman improved the team enough to ensure the Nationals finished with the worst record in the league. Prior to his time in DC, Riggleman managed the San Diego Padres from 1992-1994, the Chicago Cubs from 1995-1999, and the Seattle Mariners for part of the 2008 season. His overall record is 522-654 with a winning percentage of .444.

I'm not saying that I don't trust Riggleman to do the job or that he wasn't the best candidate to lead the Nationals forward. Yet his resume can really only be described as average. I hope that the Nationals see him as the man that can lead the team forward and not the easiest hire they could get away with.

Hey Terps and Cavs Fans, Time To Stop Making Ridiculous Claims About Your Team

Living in Northern Virginia, when it comes to college teams the news focuses on mainly on the Maryland Terrapins and the Virginia Cavaliers. There are plenty of Terps and Wahoos in the area and they like hearing about their teams. That is completely understandable. What I can't understand, however, are the unbelievable claims people will make for their teams. Many may think this is true for all area teams, but it really goes above and beyond when it comes to UM and UVA. Look at the Redskins. Nobody in town has trouble talking about how bad they are. Nobody claims that they are the best two loss team in the NFL because who cares? Everyone knows the Nationals are terrible. The Capitals get a lot of coverage, but three years ago when they were one of the worst teams in the league there were stories on whether they would even be able to remain in DC. Another somewhat local team, Virginia Tech, gets a lot of flack because the standards are set so high. A few weeks ago the Hokies were a national contender, then after losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina, the Hokies probably won't win the ACC. Terps and Cavs fans, however, seem incapable of logical thinking.

A few weeks ago the Washington Post wrote an article on how the hottest team in the ACC was from Virginia. Who would have thought that that team was from Charlottesville and not Blacksburg? That's right, the paper claimed that the 2-3 Cavaliers were the hottest team in the ACC after their win over Indiana. Not the Hokies who had a record of 5-1, were coming off a 48-14 win over Boston College and who had crushed the number 9 Miami Hurricanes. This claim is ridiculous on its face. Since then the "hottest team" has lost to powerhouse Duke. Watching a report on Comcast Sports Net on the preseason basketball polls, the anchor remarked that while Maryland was not ranked, we can all safely assume they are number 26. I thought it was a joke, but he was dead serious. It's this kind of thinking that makes everyone believe that regardless of how bad Maryland plays, they still deserve a spot in the big dance. I've got news for all you optimistic Terp fans, who you lose to is just as important as who you beat. This is a lesson that seems lost on the Maryland faithful year after year.

As a big sports follower, I get tired of seeing undless coverage on the mediocre twins of the metropolitan area. While people love to rip on the Redskins, the Hokies, the Nationals, the Caps, Georgetown, Navy, the Ravens, the Wizards, and everyone else, they still assume Maryland is sitting safely at number 26 and UVA is a hot team. Reality check for UVA: Virginia Tech owns the state of Virginia when it comes to football, period. They don't lose to teams like AA William and Mary. Reality check for Maryland: you are not a rival to Duke. You are a footnote to them. Playing Maryland is just another game for the Blue Devils. You do not compare in anyway to North Carolina. Why? Because your team's not that good. Sure you compete. Sure you won the National Title in 2002, but that was seven years ago not yesterday. Since 2002 Maryland has won the ACC tournament once and has made the NCAA tournament four times. In that same span Duke has won the ACC tournament four times and has made the NCAA tournament every year. Time to take off the rose-tinted glasses and wake up to reality. Maryland and UVA have pretty bad football teams and mediocre basketball teams.

Pack Your Bags and Print Out Your Resume Charlie Weis!

Heading into Saturday's game against Navy, Notre Dame's head coach Charlie Weis was already struggling. After several lack luster seasons with Notre Dame, Weis needed a signature game in order to end all the rumors regarding his job security. On Saturday, he got it. Notre Dame's 23-21 loss to Navy on Saturday may be the final nail in the coffin for the Irish's embattled coach.

Weis' tenure at Notre Dame began promisingly enough as the Irish qualified for a BCS bowl in both 2005 and 2006. They did not win either bowl game, however, losing to Ohio State in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl and LSU in the 2007 Sugar Bowl. They have not beaten USC in any of Weis' five seasons. In 2007, Notre Dame had its worst season in school history fnishing 3-9. The Irish were expected to rebound in 2008 with what was thought to be a very easy schedule, yet they finished with a 6-6 record. Despite being on the hot seat, Weis returned in 2009 with an even easier schedule to work with and has yet to impress.

After Saturday's loss the best Notre Dame can now finish is 9-3. While nine wins is a decent season, it still might not be enough to save Weis' job. There is also no guarantee that Weis will be able to finish with nine wins with a game at #12 Pitt next weekend, a home game against an emotional UConn team, and a season ending trip to Stanford. Most likely, Notre Dame will go 7-4 and then it depends on which Stanford team shows up since they have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the country this season. Basically, it's not unreasonable to believe Notre Dame could finish the season with a 7-5 record and if they do let me end the suspense right now by letting you know Weis will be gone faster than beer in South Bend on St. Patrick's Day.

The only conceivable scenario that will see Charlie Weis remain the coach of Notre Dame in 2010 will be a win over Pitt next week. Without it, all of Weis' signature games to this point will be losses. Weis' most famous game was the 2005 loss to USC with the Trojans scoring off the "Bush push" as time expired. In 2007, Navy beat Notre Dame for the fist time in 44 games. And now finally, in 2009, with his job on the line, Navy beat Notre Dame yet again 23-21. It doesn't matter whether Navy is a competitive team this year. The bottom line is that Navy is not somebody a program of Notre Dame's caliber and talent should be losing to. What has been so baffling with Notre Dame over the past decade is that they have been able to consistently recruit the best players in the nation and yet continue to underachieve. With yet another lack luster season, it's time for Charlie Weis to start packing his bags and printing his resume.

Caps Struggling For a New Identity

One period through Wednesday night's game in New Jersey, the Capitals seemed to be on the right track. They had frustrated the New Jersey Devils allowing only six shots on goal which came mostly from outside. They were easy saves for goalie Semyon Varlamov and the Capitals had a 1-0 lead. There wasn't much offense as the Capitals seemed to struggle with the idea that it's not one or the other, offensive or defensive, that they can play strong on both ends. This, however, was not a major concern because it is assumed by everyone that Ovechkin will bring offense back with him when he is able to suit up again. The goal for the next few games is to instill a defensive mindset in a team that had practically none. Through one period, the Caps seemed to have done just that. The final period of the game told a very different story.

The Caps still seemed to be in control at the end of the second period. They had allowed 11 shots, but the Caps defensive style of play was clearly frustrating the Devils who were constantly forced into offside calls and outside shots. The Devils did manage to tie the game, but it was off a fluke goal by Brian Rolston who's pass was blocked by defenseman Mike Green into the net. The only penalties the Caps had taken to that point was a slashing call to Alexander Semin and a fight by Chris Clark. The team then proceeded to implode in the third period. The stalwart defense was gone as the Caps allowed 15 shots. The discipline was certainly out the window as the Caps took four penalties, including two awful, unnecessary penalties by Semin. The Devils proceeded to score twice on the power play and Washington found themselves in a hole they could not climb out of, losing 3-2. Varlamov's good performance in net was wasted as he received the first regular season loss of his career.

Many may walk away from this game unconcerned. Ovechkin's out and we lost by one, who cares? There are several reasons why this game was a bad sign for the Caps. First, even without Ovechkin, I would argue this team is a playoff caliber team. This team is full of talent and there is no excuse to lose a game that they had control of for two periods. Second, the complete lack of discipline is very troubling. Key penalties have really been a problem for this Caps team and last night is a good example of how quickly these penalties can change a game. The Caps allowed the Devils to take control with these penalties. Semin's performance was especially bad. With Ovechkin gone, Semin needed to step up his game by picking up some offensive slack and not committing the dumb penalties that have plagued his career. His response, three penalties including one with less than four minutes to go in the game while the Caps were down by two. He simply skated past Travis Zajac in the neutral zone and tripped him for seemingly no reason. Bruce Boudreau was clearly upset as Semin was not on the ice at the end when the Caps pulled Varlamov in an effort to tie. It is performances like that that make NHL analysts speculate about trading Semin come the trade deadline. With the salary cap going to be a problem over the next few years, if Semin won't step up and contribute more than just dumb penalties, you could see him moved for a defensemen the Caps proved again they desperately need.

Discipline and defense. Without either of these things the Capitals will not win a Stanley Cup. What they showed last night is that with absolutely no offensive spark, they can still take control of a game against a good team as long as they stay out of the penalty box and play strong defense. Add Ovechkin to that mix and you have a very dangerous team. Add Ovechkin to what we saw in the third period, you have team that will still win their division, but probably not much else.

Updates Badly Needed in Baseball

If you have been watching the MLB playoffs this season, it is obvious that changes are needed in baseball. The first thing that jumps to everyone's mind is instant replay. How many bad calls have we seen so far this post season? Everytime that happens, the umpire comes out after the game and apologizes for the bad call. How does the umpire know he made a bad call? He watched it on instant replay. Many people worry that instant replay will make baseball drag, but there are obvious solutions to fix that including limiting challenges by managers, limiting time for reviews, etc. You've heard all the complaints and all the reasons for instant replay already. The issue I want to talk about is players getting hit by pitches. I have always hated this tactic in baseball and I think it needs to go.

Watching the pregame show for game 5 of the World Series, I watched as the analysts laughed about Alex Rodriguez getting hit three times in the Series. They went on to say that while the World Series was too important to risk retaliating, they expected that the Phillies would be "playing dodge ball" come spring training. Doesn't this bother anyone else? I know mothers out there and people who have always thought that sports are barbaric will agree, but doesn't this bother some of you sports fans too?

While aiming for a player is technically "against the rules" it is actually a strategy used by managers showing you just how much the rule actually means. Saying that pitchers don't aim for the head or that they throw slower pitches is not an excuse. Pitchers frequently miss the mark every game. They can throw outside the strike zone or even a wild pitch. If you were hit in the head by a pitch, would you take any solace in the fact that the pitcher was aiming for your back? How many baseball players have been injured by pitches when the pitcher wasn't aiming at him? Allowing pitchers to throw at other players allows for unnecessary injuries. I'm not saying you shouldn't be able to throw inside if a batter's crowding the plate, but just not at him.

Think about the worst, most shameful moments to happen in baseball. Bench clearing brawls always seem to start when pitchers go head hunting. Many of you will disagree with the need to crack down and beanballs citing years of baseball tradition or that many other sports allow for players to go after each other. Players headhunt in football and fights are even somewhat legal in hockey. How is hitting players with a soft pitch that bad? The major difference is that hockey and football are contact sports. A hockey player that is hit on the ice has the ability to hit the opponent right back. There is very little contact in baseball unless you're a catcher waiting at home plate. Batters are utterly defenseless against pitchers. Your choices are to duck or brace yourself. Even football and hockey have rules protecting defenseless players. You can't hit quarterbacks without the ball, punters, kickers, etc. Hockey players who check others from behind are subject to severe suspensions and fines. In baseball, you get a warning.

While baseball looks poised to update its rules soon, I hope that they will eventually see the inherent danger in allowing this to remain a part of the game. Everytime a player is hit by a pitch they run the risk of serious injury. This risk is high enough without a pitcher aiming for the batter. It needs to end before some one is seriously hurt by a pitcher that is just trying to make a point.

Important Time for Caps With Ovechkin Injured

The Washington Capitals have listed Alexander Ovechkin as week to week with an upper body injury. After a hit by Columbus' Jason Chimera, Ovechkin missed the last two periods of the game on Sunday night. While it appears the injury is not too serious, Ovechkin is likely sit out at least three games. An injury to your star player is never a good thing, but this is a pivotal time for the Capitals to change their game and become serious contenders.

The Capitals currently play an offensive heavy style of play. Everyone knows they can score and with playmakers like Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Brendan Morrison it's hard to stop. The Capitals, however, struggle defensively. Until they get consistent goaltending and stronger play from their defensemen, they will not be able to win the Stanley Cup.

The Capitals' defensive lineup has about average skill. Mike Green is the most talented, but he is often criticized around the league for his lack of motivation and conditioning. Green's biggest problem, however, is his mentality. He has always approached the game with an offense first, defense second mentality. Tom Poti is probably the best defensive talent on the team but at 32 years old, his game has taken a step back. John Erskine is just plain awful and takes stupid penalties, a major problem for this team. Jeff Schultz and Shaone Morrison are inconsistent. And worse yet, this team gets pretty much no help from their offense. The Capitals struggle to clear the puck out of their defensive zone because of poor back checking. Two defensemen can't do it alone.

While it is clearly the weakness of this team, the problem has seemed less pressing since the Capitals still have the second best record in the east. With Ovechkin out the Capitals have lost a major edge in their style of play. Now that the best scorer in the NHL is injured, the Capitals should focus on their defense. Sure, there is plenty of offensive talent in DC and they could continue playing their offensive scheme, but they will have missed a major opportunity to change the mindset of this team. Until the Capitals become defensively stable as well as offensively talented, they will never really compete for the Stanley Cup.

Will Sean Avery Please Just Leave the NHL?

Bruce Boudreau's biography "Gabby: Confessions of a Hockey Lifer" came out last week reflecting on the life and incredible chance of coaching the Washington Capitals. The buzz surrounding the book, however, was not on Boudreau's achievements or shocking revelations, but on a tiny blurb almost 200 pages in on Sean Avery. In the playoffs last season, the Capitals faced the New York Rangers. The series went the full seven games. Sean Avery was a constant thorn in the Capitals' side, more so for his ridiculous behavior than his skills. In one game, he decided to trash talk with young goalie Simeon Varlamov and got right up in his face before pushing him. Not only did I feel this warranted a suspension (you don't touch the goalie) but it reflected the baffling stupidity of Avery since Varlamov does not speak a word of English. Boudreau's book, however, revealed another encounter with Avery that was not previously known. During game seven, Avery skated to the Capitals' bench. "He told me I was the biggest, fattest bleeping pig he had ever seen.....He told me I was fatter than bleeping Ken Hitchcock. He told me I was going to die because I was such a fat bleep." I credit the Capitals for not clearing the bench and pounding Avery's face into the ice although I would have loved to see that. It speaks a lot to their character that their response was to win the game and send Avery's butt home. Yet, one cannot help but feel more must be done.

Avery's antics have been public before. In 2008 after a comment that several NHL players like his "sloppy seconds" he was suspended by the league for six games. Both the Dallas Stars organization and his team mates condemned the comments and his time in Dallas was over. In the previous season, the NHL passed what is known as the "Sean Avery" preventing players from blocking the goalie's vision. While screening is a common tactic in hockey, Avery was facing goalie Martin Brodeur and waving his hands and stick in his face. The rule was passed the very next day. After the series Brodeur refused to shake Avery's hand causing Avery to remark "I guess fatso forgot to shake my hand." The comments Boudreau writes on also sheds more light on other comments that Avery denies saying. In 2005, Black Canadian player Georges Laraque of the Edmonton Oilers claimed that Avery called him a monkey. In 2007, a fight broke out during the pregame warm up between Avery and Darcy Tucker of the Toronto Maple Leafs. A Toronto radio station alleged that the fight started because of a remark Avery made regarding player Jason Blake's Leukemia diagnosis. Avery vehemently denies saying either of these comments and even brought a libel suit against the Toronto radio station. While we may never know what exactly Avery said to Laraque or to Tucker, I have no doubt it was something extremely offensive and out of line.

Trash talking will always be a part of hockey and of most other sports. What Avery is doing, however, crosses the line. It is disgusting and there is no place for him in the league. Avery has been cast aside by every organization he has played for except the New York Rangers. While Avery does have some skill, he is frequently scratched by the team. He is simply not worth it. He shows no remorse for his outrageous comments and will continue making them. In the offseason, the Rangers added enforcer Donald Brashear to their lineup in what I hope to be an effort to eventually replace Avery. Let's hope that the story of Sean Avery will end with him realizing that a thug like him, who has no respect for his opponents, is not welcome in the great sport of hockey.