Keith Law on Dunn

[spidernat]

He got the best of us!!

One poster quitter, probably

He is still here. What team do you follow leclair?

[cmdterps44]

He is still here. What team do you follow leclair?

I have a few teams in my head on what teams he follows. If correct I can see why.

[hammondsnats]

Why would anyone think Keith Law would have a bias against their team? What does he stand to gain? He wants his scouting to look good, so his incentive is honesty. Your team is awful, is that not a reflection of your GM? Having the worst run differential and worst record in baseball? Having a bottom 3-6 farm system? Not signing your first round pick? Extending players like Dmitri Young and Ronnie Belliard? Honestly how can you be so defensive of such awful team. I really don't get it.

wow you set yourself up for this one.  yeah we were terrible in offense last year, so we go out and get one of the best home run hitters in recent years (who also has the ability to drive in runs and carry a high on base percentage) to help improve that "terrible" offense.  so our "terrible" gm went out and filled a need by acquiring a 29 years old slugger for just two years . . . yeah so where did he go wrong on this?

while i haven't agreed with all of bowden's moves (kearns extension), he's made a few decent ones.  and lol @ you for calling the ronnie belliard extension a bad one?  he has 22 home runs, a .289 average and 104 RBIs in two seasons as a bench player.  those are solid numbers. 

just because tim salmon has the nats as a bottom three farm system, doesn't mean that's the truth.  hell BA had us in top 15.  most other publications have the club middle of the pack. 

we know 102 losses makes for a bad season.  we know we didn't have great talent, we had a lot of injuries and a lot of clubhouse cancer.  but we're still going to stick up for our team.  we are used to being called losers or whatever, but your boy law has bashed the club time after time even when they do good.  i find it funny how he can dish the heat, but he can't take it. 

[sportsfan882]

Can someone, anyone please explain to me why everyone bashes Belliard's contract (2 year, $3 Million)?

Belliard's numbers with the Nats in '07+'08:

807 ABs, .289 BA, 57 Doubles, 22 HRs, 104 RBIs, 71 BBs, 130 Ks, 6 SBs, 2 CS


clueless idiots. Let's also bash the Nats farm system. it's the cool thing to do. It's so funny to see these jerks flip flop every year.

[spidernat]

I hope he didn't bounce because I'm curious to learn if he's here to defend KL's honor.

[The Chief]

Keith, I have no problem with you personally, I'm just sticking up for my little corner of the web and it's denizens.  I imagine my opinion means as little to you as yours does to me, but I appreciate the free traffic and entertainment.  I also find it delicious that you call me childish and then go on to boast about how you spend your weeknights mocking people on the internet.  Bravo.

And just for the record, my invitation was completely sincere.  I could easily moderate a discussion on my site wherein you would hear many very rational counterarguments without being subjected to ridicule and insult as any Nats fan who posts on this blog currently is by your supporters. As I said before, I have no use for tough-guy stances.  I said what I said because I truly did not expect a response.  Believe me or not, it's all the same to me.

[spidernat]

How the freak does a writer secure an army of followers who are willing to go join a message board to defend their oracle?   

[leclair]

Congratulations dude, you came to the board to bicker. Im glad someone posted a Stockholm Syndrome and had someone clear it up for me. Sorry your/his metaphor doesn't really seem clear.

Defensive? Because I'm a fan? What else do you want me to do? crap on my favorite team? Wow that sounds like a real bandwagon fan. I will fill you in on the things your missing. I said Bowden has done some really crappy stuff for us. But defending is an aspect im using here because he got away with steals in the Dukes and Milledge trade as well as Willingham/Olsen one. What am I supposed to do? Say Bowden sucks!! This team sucks!! After a deal like that that can improve this team, No I wont.

That's what being a fan is, sorry for whatever team you like, but I can see you don't understand the term Fan. I enjoy Nationals baseball, glad its here in DC. If you really think you should abandon a team in such a low state, I can see you will probably fail in commitment and to be honest, I don't understand how your surviving through this economic disaster. Please think through next time about others instead of acting all high like your better than a team and their fans.

The point is you should be able to look honestly at the way your team is run. When someone criticizes a move by a gm, why do fans get offended? It doesn't make any sense to me. Being a fan has nothing to do with defending your team or their moves. It has to do with following the team, rooting for the team, evaluating the team.. but defending it? Whats the point? Why are you compelled to agree with the gm? If anything a bandwagon fan would be someone who doesn't look critically. It would be like me not criticizing the Ibanez signing because I'm a phillies fan, or because they won the world series. It's still an awful move. I have nothing against that fans, i'm truly and honestly compelled about the mentality of people who would defend, with such vitriol and vigor, a GM who has had no success at all. Lions fans called for Matt Millen to be fired. Knicks and Isiah Thomas too. But for some reason this doesn't translate to a group of Nats fans. It's honestly intriguing.

[sportsfan882]

Can you believe his crap, Chief? You are trying to speak rationally with him and he responds with name calling and personal attacks.

[The Chief]

The point is you should be able to look honestly at the way your team is run. When someone criticizes a move by a gm, why do fans get offended? It doesn't make any sense to me. Being a fan has nothing to do with defending your team or their moves. It has to do with following the team, rooting for the team, evaluating the team.. but defending it? Whats the point? Why are you compelled to agree with the gm? If anything a bandwagon fan would be someone who doesn't look critically. It would be like me not criticizing the Ibanez signing because I'm a phillies fan, or because they won the world series. It's still an awful move. I have nothing against that fans, i'm truly and honestly compelled about the mentality of people who would defend, with such vitriol and vigor, a GM who has had no success at all. Lions fans called for Matt Millen to be fired. Knicks and Isiah Thomas too. But for some reason this doesn't translate to a group of Nats fans. It's honestly intriguing.

Dude (or dudette, as the case may be) if you spent five minutes reading any other part of this board you'd see PLENTY of nagging about the way this team is run.

[sportsfan882]

The point is you should be able to look honestly at the way your team is run. When someone criticizes a move by a gm, why do fans get offended? It doesn't make any sense to me. Being a fan has nothing to do with defending your team or their moves. It has to do with following the team, rooting for the team, evaluating the team.. but defending it? Whats the point? Why are you compelled to agree with the gm? If anything a bandwagon fan would be someone who doesn't look critically. It would be like me not criticizing the Ibanez signing because I'm a phillies fan, or because they won the world series. It's still an awful move. I have nothing against that fans, i'm truly and honestly compelled about the mentality of people who would defend, with such vitriol and vigor, a GM who has had no success at all. Lions fans called for Matt Millen to be fired. Knicks and Isiah Thomas too. But for some reason this doesn't translate to a group of Nats fans. It's honestly intriguing.

Bowden has done a fine job as a GM here. What about that do you not comprehend? I guess again it's just the "hip" thing to do. Bash Jim Bowden. 

[spidernat]

i'm truly and honestly compelled about the mentality of people who would defend, with such vitriol and vigor, a GM who has had no success at all.

I agree with that but this book isn't finished by a long shot. We'll see how this season unfolds. I am also curious about the mentality that leads people to join a message board to defend a dude like Keith Law. How did you become a fan of his to the extent that you are out defending his honor? It seems sort of gay. 

[cmdterps44]

The point is you should be able to look honestly at the way your team is run. When someone criticizes a move by a gm, why do fans get offended? It doesn't make any sense to me. Being a fan has nothing to do with defending your team or their moves. It has to do with following the team, rooting for the team, evaluating the team.. but defending it? Whats the point? Why are you compelled to agree with the gm? If anything a bandwagon fan would be someone who doesn't look critically. It would be like me not criticizing the Ibanez signing because I'm a phillies fan, or because they won the world series. It's still an awful move. I have nothing against that fans, i'm truly and honestly compelled about the mentality of people who would defend, with such vitriol and vigor, a GM who has had no success at all. Lions fans called for Matt Millen to be fired. Knicks and Isiah Thomas too. But for some reason this doesn't translate to a group of Nats fans. It's honestly intriguing.

Because you don't follow as well as we do? You see all the highlight posts: Example: Keith Law's "Columns" they give us a bad name. We suck, that's understandable. Being a fan DOES have something to do with defending. If you look at the big picture, you appreciate your team, people have different views. If you don't follow it like I do, good for you. I want people to understand, not crap on a team without understanding the back story. Look at Keith Laws article today, he put a group of players into a non power category who cant draw walks. He failed to do research about Dukes and how he shows he can do both. Now people who read something will think of Dukes as a pathetic player because of what one guy says.

You may say I'm taking it to far, but honestly, I'm not. You have read one thing that I have said and it's from this recent move. The calling for Isiah Thomas' head is known because it happened. Here we have yelled and shat on, in a sense, Bowden but now we're in the state of seeing him turn the table at least in an aspect. I gave him crap for signing Corey Patterson, it wasn't needed, but what's done is done. What is a bunch of fans going to do anyway? Make it happen?

The success you talk about, I have said again and again, we got Dukes and Milledge for nothing, the success there is that they have plenty of upside and its waiting to show.

Sorry I don't go in the same boats as others and "impeach" my GM after a signing like Dunn.

[MrMadison]

I have nothing against that fans, i'm truly and honestly compelled about the mentality of people who would defend, with such vitriol and vigor, a GM who has had no success at all. Lions fans called for Matt Millen to be fired. Knicks and Isiah Thomas too. But for some reason this doesn't translate to a group of Nats fans. It's honestly intriguing.

If you take roughly 30 seconds to peruse this board for anything not involving Keith Law, you will understand that you are saying this from a position of extreme ignorance.

You know nothing about Nats fans in general, and specifically about the Nats fans on this board.

So I would appreciate a halt to the blanket generalizations here.

[hammondsnats]

The point is you should be able to look honestly at the way your team is run. When someone criticizes a move by a gm, why do fans get offended? It doesn't make any sense to me. Being a fan has nothing to do with defending your team or their moves. It has to do with following the team, rooting for the team, evaluating the team.. but defending it? Whats the point? Why are you compelled to agree with the gm? If anything a bandwagon fan would be someone who doesn't look critically. It would be like me not criticizing the Ibanez signing because I'm a phillies fan, or because they won the world series. It's still an awful move. I have nothing against that fans, i'm truly and honestly compelled about the mentality of people who would defend, with such vitriol and vigor, a GM who has had no success at all. Lions fans called for Matt Millen to be fired. Knicks and Isiah Thomas too. But for some reason this doesn't translate to a group of Nats fans. It's honestly intriguing.

I've given criticism on some of the moves Bowden has made in the past.  I've been unhappy with the lack of spending by our owners in the past.  I've been upset with the losing.  But when Law writes a piece (after piece) bashing the Nats, you can't expect the fan base to sit back, say wow great piece, and let bygones be bygones. 

Sure he makes some true points, most of which we already know, but he also goes on and on and repeats the same garbage (some of which isn't true).  I've already addressed the farm club and the Belliard contract. 

Most of the posters on here don't think too highly of Law's opinions.  It's their opinion.  I find it funny how some of Law's minions are coming on here defending him.  After all he still thinks Emilio is a Nat and the one time he had a conversation with Jim Bowden was during the 2009 Draft Day.  Would like to hear how that went down. 

Speaking of the '09 draft, can't wait to hear how Law will spin a negative Strasburg to the Nats story.

[spidernat]

This clown didn't bring any fire. He came to battle with a rusty musket and ran after a couple of errant shots. Maybe he ran out of gun powder. 

[sportsfan882]

This clown didn't bring any fire. He came to battle with a rusty musket and ran after a couple of errant shots. Maybe he ran out of gun powder. 

Figures. They take after Law. Spewing garbage about stuff they have no clue about.

[hammondsnats]

This clown didn't bring any fire. He came to battle with a rusty musket and ran after a couple of errant shots. Maybe he ran out of gun powder. 

it shrinks!

[spidernat]

Figures. They take after Law. Spewing garbage about stuff they have no clue about.

Although I don't care about Law and his writing I have to admit that he made way too many mistakes in just one day that shows how incompetent he is as a writer (I wouldn't even know who the freak he is if it weren't for the fact that people here have been whining about his writing and supposed anti Nats bias). However, he makes Blad Obson look efficient by comparison. BTW, wasn't Law a BP guy? Maybe tomterp can confirm or deny that. 

[KnorrForYourMoney]

The point is you should be able to look honestly at the way your team is run. When someone criticizes a move by a gm, why do fans get offended? It doesn't make any sense to me. Being a fan has nothing to do with defending your team or their moves. It has to do with following the team, rooting for the team, evaluating the team.. but defending it? Whats the point? Why are you compelled to agree with the gm? If anything a bandwagon fan would be someone who doesn't look critically. It would be like me not criticizing the Ibanez signing because I'm a phillies fan, or because they won the world series. It's still an awful move. I have nothing against that fans, i'm truly and honestly compelled about the mentality of people who would defend, with such vitriol and vigor, a GM who has had no success at all. Lions fans called for Matt Millen to be fired. Knicks and Isiah Thomas too. But for some reason this doesn't translate to a group of Nats fans. It's honestly intriguing.

Well maybe that's for a reason?  Lions fans hated Millen because he never got anything accomplished when given years and years.  Bowden was given limited resources from the start and has had to make some real scrapheap pick-ups.

Some here may definitely view the man with rose-colored homer goggles, but a lot of us don't think so lowly of the man because we recognize some of the rather shrewd moves he's made to compensate for low payroll allowances, thin free agent markets, etc.

[The Chief]

BTW, wasn't Law a BP guy? Maybe tomterp can confirm or deny that.

http://meadowparty.com/blog/?page_id=363

Before joining ESPN.com in June of 2006, I spent just over four years as the Special Assistant to the GM of the Toronto Blue Jays, and prior to that had written for Baseball Prospectus.

[spidernat]

Some here may definitely view the man with rose-colored homer goggles,

The odd thing is that I think I can honestly say that NO ONE here views him through rose colored goggles. Most people despise him (one member because he sent her favorite player to the minors ) but only a few actually believe he hasn't been as bad as others think given the limited resources and the mess he's had to work with.

[MrMadison]

The odd thing is that I think I can honestly say that NO ONE here views him through rose colored goggles. Most people despise him (one member because he sent her favorite player to the minors ) but only a few actually believe he hasn't been as bad as others think given the limited resources and the mess he's had to work with.

EXACTLY.

[spidernat]

http://meadowparty.com/blog/?page_id=363

  That says a ton about BP.

[hammondsnats]

oh no it's the klaw!