Some of you asked me to write about my trip to spring training and to tell you guys what I think of the team.

I got to where the Nationals train on Friday (it was on the way) and most of the players wouldn't sign autographs until after they were done working out so I went to watch them take BP. The wind was blowing like crazy so I caught like 12 foul balls. I got Ryan Zimmerman's autograph, as well as Nick Johnson. Now this was pretty neat. At the end of practice Frank Robinson takes a golf cart out and signs something for everyone. I got him on the sweet spot of a ball and on a card.
Then I left for Bradenton.
I made out very well when it cam to autographs. I got ;Jack Wilson, Jason Bay, Zach Duke, Ryan Doumit, Brad Eldred, Jose Bautista, Paul Chafferido, Oliver Perez, Paul Maholm, Nate McLouth, Chris Duffy, Andrew McCutchin (sp), Neil Walker, Mike Johnston, Bill Mazeroski, Bill Verdon, Sean Casey, Jeremy Burnitz, and a ton of others. Brad Eldred broke a bat in one of the games so, naturally, I asked for it and he gave it to me and autographed it.

As far as how the team looks,
Our pitching staff looks phenomenally good and I honestly think we could have one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Zach Duke, I feel, is going to be just a dominate as he was last year. Maholm will also be a very valuable part of the rotation. Mike Gonzalez(sp) is going to be the closer. With Casy, Burnitz, and Doumit as the meat of the order it looks like we will defiantly have some power. Now I don't think Casey is going to be this real big home run hitter but he will consistently put the ball in play. We have a fast team and a really deep bench. Freddy Sanchez and Nate McLouth will be the go to guys in the late innings of the games.

I said it once and I will say it again, The Buccos are going to be a .500 ball club next year. And the year after that the may be in playoff contention.

-Kevin

Kevin, Thanks for sharing your experiences thus far! Sounds like you're having a great time and racking up on those autographs!

Hope you continue to have a super trip!

Kevin,

I was wondering what you were up to

That sounds like an awesome time! Did you happen to mention to Zach you have run across his Dad on the hssbbweb or was he too busy to chat at all?

Hey, How about them buccos. 6-1 after beating The Reds today. Going to be 7-1 after they beat the Yankees tonight. Hopefully this will carry over to the season. These kids just don't know how to lose. Guys like Duke, Duffy, Doumit have been on championship teams all through their Minor League careers. Looks like good things are going to happen this year.

-Kevin

BTW, I got my tickets yesterday, they "smell like a winning season".