382 Comments
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John's avatar

Happy birthday, Mark! Appreciate all you’ve done on the beat over the years

Chris Bowen's avatar

Happy 50th Mark!

John Driscoll's avatar

Happy birthday! And thanks for your ongoing terrific Nats coverage.

gonatsgo1's avatar

Congrats on 50, Mark. Enjoy your night off!

It looks like it'll be a beautiful evening for baseball. Temps down and no typical late day thunderstorm (so far).

Really wanted to see the Kent debut in person but can't make it. Will be down at the Park tomorrow afternoon for the getaway game.

Btw, that line up is the same position players as last night albeit shuffled around a bit. Two nights in a row for Ford at C.

Hondo's avatar

Happy birthday, Mark! Wish I were 50 again. Enjoy it.

Bruce Alpert's avatar

Adding birthday greetings and appreciation for your insightful coverage of The Nationals.

Jan burchard's avatar

Happy Birthday!

Peter Perros's avatar

Happy Birthday, Mark! As a mere kid of 50, we’re glad you have the stamina to keep up your schedule of Nats coverage.

cipherlockinexile's avatar

Happy 50th Birthday from that upper deck section that I unexpectedly found myself part of last night!

146121's avatar

First, Happy Birthday Mark! Enjoy it with your family.

Second, even as a devoted DC3 fan due to my LSU allegiance and fond memories of what I saw him do for 3 years in a Tigers uniform, I don’t get putting him in the leadoff spot. He just hasn’t earned that level of responsibility with the Nats. Before last night’s game I hoped it would be a show of managerial confidence that might inspire an elevation of his performance. The home run notwithstanding, I didn’t see it happening and have lost confidence that it will occur. Is this the beginning of a sink-or-swim test period?

Tim K's avatar

It's DC3's chance to succeed

Geordie Keitt's avatar

Tonight’s Senators game is under way early, because I think there’s a doubleheader. This park is nice, and the setting is spectacular. I walked across the Susquehanna River to City Island. The park concourse is decking, something like Trex, in keeping with the nautical theme.

And Devin Fitz-Gerald just singled in the first run with no outs in the first and - /looks around/ - can confirm that Mr Celery is not here either.

gonatsgo1's avatar

You really are getting around. Sounds like a fun road trip.

That's a great park there in Harrisburg. I was there to see Strasburg's AA home debut back in 2010. Electric atmosphere but a very rainy evening, IIRC.

Tim K's avatar

Watching game on MLB.TV. Alas, Mr. Celery has duties elsewhere

Geordie Keitt's avatar

Definitely the best hot dog I’ve had on this trip. It’s by a local vendor called “the Spot” and dang it’s delicious.

Mark's avatar

Isn’t he the one who took a pitch to the face? Glad to hear he can play…

Geordie Keitt's avatar

Yes, Devin looks good. Elijah Green is huge - he scored from third earlier on a short grounder to the pitcher, by making the catcher drop the ball from sheer intimidation as he bore down on him

CJ from VA's avatar

Happy Birthday Mark !!

So there have only had 34 pitchers who ever made their MLB debut in Nationals' uniform before this? I am not challenging Mark's knowledge or research, but did I read that right or I misconstrued...

reed hundt's avatar

Look at Boswell column today!! He is so right. Lerners should fund or sell. It's tragic that they have wasted this awesome lineup just because they wouldn't spend a few dollars more last winter on some relievers and a starter of quality. We'd clearly be in playoffs but for their extraordinary cheapness. They deserve citywide condemnation. And their jerseys for the upcoming day are inappropriate.

Sam Diament's avatar

Revisionist history. No one expected the offense to be as good as it has been this year. Most people were anticipating 65-70 wins max with an average at-best offense.

Dave Nemec's avatar

After what we saw from them in Spring Training, I'd have been very happy with "average". The production the season was totally unexpected, and has been greatly entertaining.

Mark's avatar

I thought about 65 wins, but I also thought there was no excuse for not getting a better pitcher than Mikolas or at least a couple of solid relievers. Both things can be true at the same time. I hope Boswell’s article can help apply some public pressure to the current ownership for the coming offseason…

TheWerthWhisperer's avatar

Hippo Birdie 2 Ewe!

Hope the Nats deliver a win to your doorstep.