Washington Nationals: 3 early takeaways from Florida
By Ron Juckett
It is never too early to have several random thoughts about the Washington Nationals. With games underway, here are three takeaways.
Although four games do not a Grapefruit League make, it is never too early to sum up a few thoughts on the Washington Nationals spring training.
The 1-3 record as of Monday means squat. When you have players wearing defensive lineman numbered-jerseys deciding games, it is hard to take those results seriously. The two contests aired on television, the graphics department gave up on changes after the sixth inning. All about experience.
From a neat-and-tidy Anthony Rendon to Shawn Kelley winning a Jayson Werth lookalike contest, you get the sense this is a loose team from the start. Unless there is a surprise, the players in camp will morph into the 25 making the trip to Cincinnati on Opening Day.
A few of those like reggae from what we understand.
Despite the record, you can find little to quibble with over the first 12 days of camp. New manager Dave Martinez, with his circle of trust, has done an excellent job building a relationship with his team. A roster spot battle we thought impossible a month ago might happen and Brandon Kintzler likes salt.
Never said the stories were not eccentric.
With the new park finished, West Palm Beach is the ideal facility to prepare for the long season ahead. Early crowds are larger and the field is immaculate. However, that jet stream blowing from right-to-left is a challenge. Even the camera crews have a hard time adjusting.
As we wait 10 days before MASN carries another game, here are three early takeaways from Florida.