All-Time Nationals (Expos) Team

Today, we're taking a look at the Washington Nationals All Time team.  The Washingon Nationals were transplanted from Montreal in 2005.  Prior to that, they were the Montreal Expos, formed in 1969.  The franchise has barely sniffed success in its 42 years of existence.  The Expos only postseason appearance came in the strike-shortened 1981 season.  They won the NL East title in that abridged year and won their first postseason series against the Phillies, 3-2, before falling to the Dodgers in the NLCS by the same margin.  Despite their limited history, this team is actually not too shabby and with a rising crop of young talent, it's not too crazy to think that this all-time team could be very formidable over the next couple of decades. 

We didn't run into too many snags picking this team.  We did leave off one Martinez (Pedro) because of a lack of tenure but kept 'El Presidente.'  Steve Rogers made the cut because of his longevity with the club and his postseason success; although Rogers is probably best known for giving up the game ending home run to Rick Monday which sealed the pennant for the Dodgers, he actually pitched extremely well in that postseason.  He started 3 games in the 1981 postseason and in those three games he threw three complete games and gave up 1 only earned run (his second earned run came in relief on the home run to Monday - a move still questioned today).  We left off a few names like Rusty Staub, Tim Wallach and Hubie Brooks but I like our list.  Tell us who we missed. 

C- Gary Carter
1B- Andres Galarraga
2B- Jose Vidro
SS- Orlando Cabrera
3B- Ryan Zimmerman
OF- Tim Raines
OF- Andre Dawson
OF- Vladimir Guerrero
SP- Dennis Martinez
SP- Steve Rogers
CL- Jeff Reardon

Hall of Fame Debate: Tim Raines

OCP

Rock was one of my favorite baseball player growing up. I can remember looking at his baseball cards, seeing that physique and thinking 'Man, the guy looks like one hell of an athlete.' Unfortunately, I'm not sure if he's Hall of Fame worthy. He was undoubtedly one of the greatest leadoff hitters in his prime; great speed and on base numbers but unfortunately it's very hard to get into Cooperstown being a good stealer. Leadoff batters get no love unless you've got the hardware to go with it; MVP's, Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves. Tim didn't earn the hardware; just one Silver Slugger to his name (no MVP's or Gold Gloves). Raines, in my opinion, hit his prime years too early and wasn't able to amass the cumulative magic numbers- only 2,600 hits. He was truly great for five of his first eight years and then 'good' or 'serviceable' for the next twelve, never leading the league in anything and missing the all star game every year after age 27. Unfortunately, and I hope that I'm wrong because I really do like Raines, Cooperstown wasn't made for players like Rock- it was made for great players that transcend the game. Tim was a very good player for a long time but he only had a short period of great. He was very respected by his peers but the fact that he was a journeyman indicates the replaceable nature of his tools. He was a bit overshadowed by Rickey and I think that hurts his case (although if Rickey was the greatest, there should be room for the second greatest of his era).

Jim Riggleman Resigns: But Why Now, Jim?

Humor me for a second and picture this- you are on a tour of the Sahara desert when you black out... Drugged, mugged and left for dead. You wake up alone in a desert resting against a small shade tree; the only tree visible as far as the eye can see. Your survival tools- just the clothes on your back, a quarter in your pocket and an empty canteen. You are able to dig deep enough by the tree to unearth a little drinking water but you decide that the only way you will ever survive is to start walking. It's so hot that the sand burns your feet through the soles of your shoes. Your long-sleeves and hat provide protection from the intense sun but, in short,

it's hot. You walk for what seems to be an eternity with no water of food or companionship. At times, you think about quitting and question why you even left that tree. As your canteen runs out and it seems that all hope is lost, you see what appears to be a small building in the distance. As you get closer, you realize that the building is a actually a small city. You continue to walk and finally, with your lips cracked, stomach empty and clothes soaked in sweat, you reach the gates of the city. The fee to enter the city- $0.25... so you turn around and walk the other direction to look for the next city.

Yeah, doesn't make much sense does it?

Yet, this is the journey that Jim Riggelman has decided to take. Over the course of his