Ted Leonsis on the progress and future of the Wizards
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Wed, 30 May 2012|
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CSN Washington dot com. Being a team in the lottery and being able to finish strong believed it was six wins once the trade was done you think you had a really good record there considering what Randy did. Where do you see the organization going forward -- coaching situation. It has something to do with the lottery also it it will raise and -- contract and so right now he's our coach and I was very impressed with the the job the green did but more importantly I was impressed during the exit interviews. To a man. The players all felt that. The way we played after the trade. Wasn't for me school it wasn't. It was since the at the end of the season and in other teams weren't trying. That this was a serious team a team that was playing for one another team that was coach able. Was working really really hard and started to see the whites turning on that if they played the right way that they would get good results. And so we're gonna take all of that into consideration. And but the players really like the coach in the staff and that's that speaks volumes on what decision left and it. Decided to retain -- to bring him accident tells the fan base that you like the way the organization is doing in terms of the -- in terms of bringing in young talent. What's the next -- -- do you think it's going to be to get the team to the post season. Well we need more vets and we saw home. The whole atmosphere -- locker room man. The team changed and we brought in new name and he's a really really solid player. And I like that we are building a culture. Where the team its first. Home that starts with your point guard. And John would be. Happy as a player because he knows he'll also be. Celebrated in the rewarded if we win. It's not gonna be about stats it's going to be how the team does but he's such a fundamentally. Good person. He wants to make the players around him better. And Nene isn't very. Unselfish player and and having your big man and your point guard. The players that want the team to have success. And I see that a lot in the international players beyond is fundamentally very very sound in. And isn't about stats. And we saw Sarah fan. Who was a revelation. And you know we saw him play it like that a lot in practice. But to see that confidence that team time and -- a big -- of his sides have that kind of footwork and great hands be able to go left and right. In and -- was like a coach on the floor for him he was our big man coach. And so we gonna make big investments continue to make big investments in player development. We know the but I think -- now. Had our fill of young players on. -- Two years of owning the team three offseason and that's what lot of young players it's almost like you're an expansion team. We could have denying the first second third year players. All of that we drafted. More brought in via trade with Atlanta for the Jordan Crawford and that that was a very very fast rebuild we brought in meaning. And I'm hoping this year. Either through trades or free agency we can be additive. To the team bring in some war -- And I think we're gonna get -- player guys who make our rotation. -- foundational player over for us with the third pick in the draft finally talked when you took over you wanted to see a model kind of like Oklahoma City to see what they're doing. But also what Indiana did what Philadelphia did when young added sprinkled in veterans when the time is right so you're saying -- do you think the time right. Oh yeah I don't wanna I don't ought to be in a lottery anymore -- that's not a lot of fun but you know without pain there's no -- and I knew what were written for. And you know having a lot of these young players as they develop and get that -- the team would get better. But we're not shy about investing in spending the money. I just wanna be Smart about it made sure that the free agents that we bring in the trees that we may be good ones. You know Nene was the most coveted free agent last offseason and we brought him here and a different circuitous route. But -- you have a really really good big man and a really really good point guard now you can and another talent. And sought to build around them and I think we're on our way thanks so much free time into the summer thanks CSN Washington dot com.
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Beltway Baseball: Why Strasburg will be just fineCSN Washington dot com. Are welcomed the beltway baseball here on CSN Washington dot com on chase Hughes and mark Zuckerman. And mark we've been through a month and a few weeks or overly down here. And the nationals as a team having kinda inconsistent but one thing that is really travelling fans and people around league starting to notice is it consistency of Stephen Strasburg. The numbers aren't that far off from what we've seen but it anyone who's watched him over the last few years and tell maybe there's something something a little bit off he's having trouble finding the strike zone. What do you make of the situation and do you think it is that they concern yeah I mean the thing is like you said the numbers don't look. It that far off feeds the pitching. for big league pitcher but he set such a high bar for so we've come to expect so much. Patted him it just doesn't quite look like what you expected the biggest thing is fastball command. You know he's not. Throwing strikes getting ahead in the count. The way it did it was so amazing about him as a rookie when he came back originally from the Tommy John surgery was the fact that. He could be a power pitcher while still having excellent coming that deadly combination. Just not quite there yet. Curve balls still excellent still excellent. I think you're seeing signs of improvement I think he's getting there but he still working on to think that it's mechanical mostly. And they they seem to determine and it's not physical it's mormons and you can see it on the on the field he's the body language that. He's impatient he gets frustrates easily and this just a matter of him being such a perfectionist. He's not used to not being great. He's used to being great not just good right exactly and I think that's that next step and take if he's really gonna become an ace of the World Series contender. It's about hey it doesn't matter what happens behind him Doesn't matter what run support I the umpire and I'm gonna go out I'm gonna beat no matter We're seeing there and do that right now I think it's time for Strasburg if he really wants to become an elite. Top. The line pitcher. That's what he needs you now quickly another guy who's had trouble as you can also I think might be a little bit more of a concern is his command has been quite there. I think it's curve ball isn't quite as sharp as it was last year this is something that might he might work out the kinks out. But he has been pride stuff yeah I mean an more erratic certainly had some fantastic start and that's really troubling ones I think his last start Pittsburgh may have been a turning point for them. Got a huge jam in the first inning lead off home runs very first pitch then he loads the bases. Nobody out. Battle back and get out six straight after that I can almost see a little something clicked inside and minutes that. Maybe this you Ozzie admitted afterwards and younger version him would have melted there. Let it spiral out control. That might be assigned an comes back next time that made it a big turning point mark let's talk about the catching situation we're moving through May and so far Davey has. Rotated kind of alternated and depending on the edge depending on the he said that at some he's gonna have to make a decision we saw over the weekend go back to back with Ramos. At some point. Maybe you and you think we're gonna see him go with the primary catcher I think so maybe not a true number one in the and a guy you know catching you know once or twice a week and I think he does. Number one wanna play the hot hand whoever it is. I think he hopes its problems he understands that everyone understands. That Wilson Ramos has higher ceilings and Kurt Suzuki put the whole package together offensively defensively he can do more so I think you're gonna start to see that. It Suzuki gets hot they'll play obviously. I think the preference be for to ultimately take over. I went into the numbers last week how the pitching staff has done with Suzuki and For some reason everybody but you done way better with over the past few seasons in their career ERA is. Are better with him in their career marks I don't I don't know I can't tell you why that is but that's the case yeah and I the pictures all insist they'll have both guys I don't know if there even where it. Yzerman tops they had success with Suzuki and it's amazing stats that would certainly something overtime that you have to look him. Now as we're getting close to the middle of may what we take stock with the division first the Braves came out really hot out of the gate. It was it was really at the point were you thinking all right who's gonna slow him down or what's gonna slow them down they didn't seem to have a weakness whatsoever. The nationals. Meanwhile your 500. But as they're starting to get things going they're not that far behind it could be much worse at this point oh absolutely mean if the nationals. Figure that April was their worst month but that's as bad against them they're going to be all right because they hover around 500. And the rays came back to earth and what's it was gonna happen next maybe not. To this extent you're surprised by that we're gonna play 900 ball. All right I think it was twelve and when you start here to me what's interesting is all of a sudden they're closer Craig Kimbrel. Most dominant closer in baseball last year and the first month this year he's blown three saves in days yeah giving up home runs. That's. Staggered problem right there I mean who knows just a blip. Or something long term about but also without Johnny Panthers won their top. Setup men and PG beaches and come back and just came back Heyward been out for a while there. BJ Upton knocked off to a good start the play and they got a lot of weapons are they're going to be good. Long term but they may not be quite easily as we and BJ Upton has been really bad and having having gas was really early on but. he's not looking like the next Mike Capps at this point about one thing I think it's interesting as the two best guys I think in their offense have to look at the numbers today. They've been Justin Upton and Chris Johnson who of course were with the team much yeah exactly they talk on all the offseason moves it made it mentioned Johnson as much damage in the Upton Brothers that night do you think getting Freddie Freeman back to deal with me that isn't fantastic all around first baseman. The Braves are going to be fine long term this can make good race really do believe that. CSN Washington dot com.
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Beltway Baseball: Reader questionsCSN Washington dot com. Thanks for clicking here on CSN Washington dot com your watch him beltway baseball it's a season marks the mark it's time for reader questions and I think we got some really good ones this week. The first one from Eric he asks. What are the chances that the league has figured out and or Strasburg and that. Maybe that is contributed to their early season struggles. If that has been going on could changeup the reactions that yeah that's a good question we talk about Strasburg are others segment and I think there's a little bit of the league start to figure him out. But certainly not as intimidated by him. As a maybe it will when he first came out but I think if Strasburg he's so good that he. conference itself can locate his fastball he's going to be just fine opposite Kerr our tests I still so fastball straighten out he's going to be fine. He little more instinct question to me because here's a guy who was new the National League last year whoever went way. Maybe there is little bit more of a book coming out on him his last Pittsburgh was that he got that big jam early. Got out of it and one of the reasons got out it was because change. It doesn't throw a whole lot pass to Tony Wilson Ramos calling for. And insisting on a deal with but he talked and it's not like it's I'm walker out right but he trusted Ramos. Started making some good pitches getting some outs and also and I think you may see some more of that from him down the road it's again. It's all about adapting his pitchers. Baseball's all about adjustments. Pictures investigators because of the pitchers. The more they see you at Wimbledon and you you have to learn how to adjust to that and it got out on the road. That's his thing and think about GO looking back at that trade most of the guys they sent the other way didn't have really worked is kind of favored Houston right now. And Norris is is pretty pretty decent and they got little on the loan is really right now I don't know if you've seen or he's the one that was kind of an afterthought at that time but he he's very polished. Mean I ever be an ace is good solid back pace now or stick with the rotation for the second question really good question in my opinion by Murray the red. Says the one through five rotation it is clear now that they are not the best to worst quarters they should be. Will that be corrected and if so how. And how do you guys see the best course for well let's start with that first part you know everyone makes it's a big who's number one number 2345. Other than the first week of the season and they want to get to the playoffs. It really matter nobody now you don't mind guys that thing and you are number one vs there when it has off days rain outs. You know it throws off so you don't make midseason adjustments that unless one guy is so bad that you think you need to skip his turn. And I don't think there. There but. The way it's staked out so far this year you have to see Jordan Zimmermann is their number one right right now no disrespect to see Strasburg. But towards has pitched like an ace and real team. At the moment he's like. Among the leaders in. We NCR a whip and you have to consider him for the all star game starter. And long way to go obviously I think you have to put number one if it were right now. You goes if they started a playoff series this weekend I think towards me it was game one. It probably still put Strasburg threw just because as we used yet and maybe that I was three because he's been a more consistent you Gonzales. Yeah I think that's the way ago parent I know is listed as the as the recently but that weather started so hot I think he would pride but he bumped up in the rotation as well. Third question is from three on two out. Says what is your prognosis or into any random will he stay in the minors. Barring injury or roster player until September call ups or their other possibility. Answered the question we just got to see him for two weeks and you could see glimpses of what he can for them but here's the problem he's got to play every. He hasn't done it as a professional even late in his college career he was hurt Dan may need him playing every day somewhere. When he was up here couldn't afford a plane never ever losing they need some tough games in Atlanta we need is best possible option so. I really think he's gonna stay in the minors. Play every day and time at third base but also some time at second base shortstop. We'll see if another injury came up exited on back up. Otherwise thank you think it's going to be September. Because he just don't want this guy's development he's too good long term prospect. To bring up your second that's yours and his development if you do that is we've heard the organization say he needs more time. And he when he came up he showed signs stating that there were a little things defense that I'm miscues base running miscues. That just. Proved pretty clearly that he just needs more and he point out it was a great thing that he mentioned off on his last 8% back down he can understand how much more they think here. It's not just about who's the most talented there's a lot of thought processes in it for pitchers. It's something he's dollars and everybody have to learn and you only get that experience. CSN Washington dot com.
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Boston Marathon runner Rachel Ackerman describes her experience on MondayCSN Washington dot com Rachel first or by. Describe to the viewers just fit the moments leading up to the ovaries and just describe what the city of Boston was like it. Yeah I got in net and a couple might be further and I went to the accident to pick up my number and that's always really exciting as spenders I'm a lot of great GNC. All the different people who learn there are just getting ready. I'm driving ever wearing their shirts ended the reeling me I have it I made stayed at my college which is happening before. They're racing in the morning and she lives by the starting lines there's lots of people coming in and out and just eating and chatting and talking about so happy it's so much cooler than last years and have there which is 9089 degrees that. And it's really just a beautiful start lots of green energy and Dan and look like it was going to be really fantastic and. The race starts. You finished you feel like triumph celebration. Over the training you put into it. Walk us through the events that led up to at the 250 mark of the race when you first heard the explosion. Yeah that you know I had it finished there is am I name's Wayne and got my bag and changed and then masters checking on and I relations and some time know my time. Yeah I was safety hair and and with getting text messages about that I was on the on the get together with them and you know. I can't go at those walking. Toward the start line to cheer on other people who we're finishing and I think that's the greatest part of that. to get to theater and I'm excited and and ran that slant and yet going toward the finish line. I heard. Allowed explosions. Heard in Ireland. And I way. Got out there and tactically. And where are starting to from where it finished out toward where. Luckily you got a chance to call your father right away a lot of fuel didn't get an opportunity because a frantic situation that's going on. What did you see eighty your dad at the time to get a chance talked to. I was terrified and I hung up with my friend and I immediately called my father and I expect that I have no idea what's going on I just heard explosions I'm pretty I was crying on the and I think you need to look on the and Tommy what it is. And then I was completely. Panicked. And I say and just started walking away from them. The and I looked around I thought I mean I was filed a big buildings and not have to just keep walking away from us and I just kept going. Torre. Out outside of the immediate downtown area and it it just out. I mean just you know when did you. Feel like something wasn't right you heard the first explosion and I think fifteen seconds later was the second one was at that second one when you're like OK something's not right he. I think it was the second it sounded like it had been anything that I had heard before learn and it didn't found the car backfiring someone spending he was a transformer. Exploding like that I've heard before and telling Amy could have been but when I saw people running. And looking frantic and ask them. Everyone kind of stopped being looking very perplexed that was probably not we ever in fear of your life. I was very panicked when it happen and I don't know if I was in fear of my Iowa I think I was just so you know. Going I was a little bit in shock I think I am. Was very and I was. Very aware. Began large buildings around me and if these whereupon I think what were they trying to get to get. As far away from this buildings. I think I was more. Panic because I was five I was had not yet met up with friends with me later so I kind of self. I'm trying to get somewhere and that part it's with the scary for me thing I've been in touch with people or where to go or what to do you. Clearly from. Listen to the president and the FBI. This is a terror event the question I think many people wanted to know from people experience it is your marathon runner. Will you do it again and now when you are in public places does this change how you go about your daily life. If they're really. It's a really good question. I I think you know. Part of the thinking part of what I love about running marathons is that anybody can do and it's a gathering I mean this again and Aaron from around the world from across the country. And I am. You know I I You know of course run another marathon and I I would even do Boston again I mean that I just think it's so. Horrific that. It's it's now going to be a place that is. thought of as a target but there's going to be have to increase security act and holiday things when usually. Speculate and in Boston it's a sad day when everybody in the community comes together and you know knowing that workers schooler. Things like that and and you know I am I winning at a I would not run again because I think that would be. Giving in to look at you sure this 2013. Boston Marathon when you put this shirt back on again whenever that is. What is going to be the first thing you think about. You know when I when I put it on today I had read a lot of posts about everyone should Wear their shirt today in honor. Everybody and Bob and in the marathon and that's an injury and you know I usually just use either their regular running sure I don't know it's that really it's a related question but it was nice today even at the aircraft coming over just to see everybody. In there marathon. much more quiet in the heat and it has had been last year and that it was just in the community. I'm feeling that everybody was kind of rally around it. in with this. Yesterday while we saw terror. Tragedy we saw the American spirit once again. Coming to the forefront watching people not just run away people were running towards in helping what would you remember most about what happened yesterday. You know having Adam. Having not know quite is going nine I was really struck by people who and having myself in those moments I was really struck by people who are trying to help. help everyone out I know I was. I'm walking you wonder action there is stamina liking to go find your family it's a family meeting and that's like now. But an and then another group like you're just gonna keep walking with us and tell. We figure out where to go and I went into a restaurant with my phone battery was the people there. I'm in by and they kept the computers. On everything in that that theory you know either. and restaurant wearing you know inviting people to sit with them and you know you know Guinea tees and greens and just constantly checking and then and thought that was really great I thing. And to of course see all of us stories about people who cross the finish line and then when he gave turned right around London and went back and how I thought was really unbelievable. behalf of all of were glad your safe. And we hope this doesn't deter you. From running another marathon especially going back to Boston thanks so much thinking. CSN Washington dot com.
