Nationals race to get ready

By wire services
Published March 31, 2005

WASHINGTON - It seems 34 years would be enough time for Major League Baseball to get things in order for the game's return to the nation's capital. But no: There's a mad dash as the Washington Nationals prepare for their debut.

With an exhibition game against the Mets set for Sunday at RFK Stadium, the outfield wall installed this week still needs painting. Tickets are just being put in the mail.

And the Nationals still are the only team that doesn't have a deal to have their games televised.

"My hair's probably going to fall out this week," team president Tony Tavares said.

It has been a frantic pace since Major League Baseball, which owns the franchise, announced Sept. 29 the team would move from Montreal. The short time frame is unprecedented in modern history.

The last expansion teams, the Diamondbacks and Devil Rays, had three full years to prepare for opening day from the date their franchises were awarded, and their preparations didn't have the rapt attention the Nationals receive from being in the capital.

Tavares keeps a meticulous list of things to accomplish, and lately he has been focused on matters ranging from handicapped seating to the installation of monitors with DVD players to be used as coaches' aids.

His list ballooned to 90 items a few days ago, but now he has it down to 50 or so. Not that all will be accomplished by Sunday, but he's confident the average fan will notice nothing out of sorts.

"Will everything be perfect for April 3? No," Tavares said. "We haven't had as many training sessions for staff as I would like, but we'll get through it."

The biggest outstanding issue is one over which the Nationals have no control: television rights, a big moneymaker and an important public relations tool. The right to televise games has been the subject of almost daily, drawn-out negotiations between Major League Baseball and Orioles owner Peter Angelos.

Angelos says the presence of a team in Washington devalues his franchise 40 miles to the north, and he wants a compensation package to include having Washington's games broadcast on his Orioles network.

The Washington Post reported on its Web site that baseball and the Orioles had reached a tentative deal that would put 76 Nationals games on two local television stations. The Post reported baseball and the Orioles will share ownership in a regional sports network.

A'S SALE APPROVED: Owners unanimously approved the sale of the Athletics to Los Angeles real estate developer Lewis Wolff, all but finalizing a deal in the works for about a year.

The owners spoke for five minutes via conference call to approve the sale. The A's planned a Friday news conference in Oakland to formally introduce Wolff.

PIERRE AILING: Centerfielder Juan Pierre, who hasn't missed a game since joining the Marlins two years ago, might not be ready for opening day. Florida's leadoff hitter has been sidelined three weeks with a strained right calf muscle, sustained while he was running down a fly ball. Tests have not shown any tears of the muscle, but it apparently is not responding quickly to treatment.

ANGELS: Dallas McPherson, once considered a Rookie of the Year favorite, was assigned to minor-league camp, leaving the third-base assignment to Robb Quinlan. McPherson, expected to replace Troy Glaus as a power source, has been slowed by a protruding disc in his lower back.

A'S: Shortstop Bobby Crosby left in the fourth inning with a bruised left hand after being hit by a pitch from the Brewers' Gary Glover. In the seventh, outfielder Hiram Bocachica left after he was hit by a Matt Wise pitch on the right wrist. Both players will have X-rays today.

CARDINALS: Former pitching phenom Rick Ankiel threw out a runner from rightfield with a perfect throw to third base in the eighth. Ankiel, who gave up pitching this spring, will stay in Jupiter awaiting a minor-league assignment and will need to clear waivers to remain with St. Louis.

CUBS: Right-hander Kerry Wood returned to the mound for the first time since leaving a game March 9 with shoulder bursitis, throwing 92 pitches in five innings against Colorado and feeling no discomfort.

GIANTS: San Francisco will honor two Hall of Fame pitchers this season, dedicating a statue to Juan Marichal and retiring Gaylord Perry's No. 36.

INDIANS: Rightfielder Juan Gonzalez's sore right hamstring kept him off the field for the third straight game, raising concerns that he might not be ready for opening day.

PIRATES: Pittsburgh acquired backup catcher David Ross from the Dodgers to provide insurance for Humberto Cota, sidelined with tightness in his left hip. The team also reassigned former Devil Rays outfielder/DH Ben Grieve to Triple-A Indianapolis.

RANGERS: Right-hander Pedro Astacio probably will start the season on the disabled list after being slowed by a groin injury but could pitch in the fifth game.

ROYALS: The intimidation that former King High standout Calvin Pickering brings to the lineup proved too hard for the team to resist. Pickering, who revived his career last season with 42 homers between Triple A and the majors, will be the team's DH, with incumbent Ken Harvey headed to Omaha.

[Last modified March 31, 2005, 01:28:16]