Submitted by Jeff on Mon, 08/06/2007 - 6:46am.
- The Nationals should be able to enjoy their recent success, and perhaps, in more ordinary times, get a little bit of national media attention for their winning streak. Instead, they'll be in the center of a media maelstrom as Barry Bonds tries to hit home run #756 off the Nats during their four-game series against the Giants in San Francisco. The Nats, at least, are trying to pay little attention to Bonds. "We're not worried about the media spectacle that's going to be there because the guy's chasing history," first baseman Dmitri Young said. "Whoop-tee-do."
- John Lannan will take the mound tonight, and the coaching staff doesn't have any special words of wisdom for the rookie. "The minute he steps on that mound and [Bonds] steps into that batter's box, anything you tell him is gone," said pitching coach Randy St. Claire. As for Lannan himself, "I'm just going out there to try and get a win for the team."
- The Nats don't plan to pitch around Bonds or do other things differently when facing Bonds. "We are going to pitch to him like we pitch to any of the great hitters in the game," said Acta. "If the game is on the line and the bases are occupied, we are going to walk him."
- Infamy awaits Lannan or any other Nats pitcher who gives up #756, advises John Markon of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "The pitcher who gives up [No. 756] will be known . . . but he may never be known for anything else," said Acta.
- Or maybe not, argues Thom Loverro in the Times. "What they will remember about Bonds and 755 is the tension and controversy. The record itself will be overshadowed by the indictment of Bonds on perjury and income tax evasion charges, which likely will come before the end of the year."
- Once before, while patrolling right field in Pac Bell, er, SBC, er, AT&T Park, Austin Kearns has seen a home run clear the fence in right field and fall back onto the field. Back then he picked up the ball and threw it back into the crowd but he's not sure what he'd do if that happened to #756. Young says he'd keep it "and I'd double-dog dare a fan to come get it from me," but Ryan Zimmerman said he wouldn't, recalling Doug Mienkiewicz and the 2004 World Series. Kearns: "I could just turn around and throw it as far as I can, out into the water. I've thought about that, too."
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