VIERA, Fla. -- Their dispositions were as sunny as the
Florida day that greeted them, their outlook as bright as the
immaculate red practice jerseys that hung in neat rows along the
lockers. Pitchers, catchers and assorted other players reported for
spring training at Space Coast Stadium on Tuesday, flush with
relief and satisfaction that they are something new called the
Washington Nationals.
"It's been a long journey," catcher Brian Schneider said.
"We've wanted this for a while, and it's here now. We're ready for
it, that's for sure."
The vagabond days of the Montreal Expos are over. Sure, the
players said all the right things and persevered as best they could
as they dealt with the threat of contraction and then two years of
"home" games in Puerto Rico. But no one came close to remembering
the last three years as good ol' days now that they're done.
"Last year was even worse," pitcher Zach Day said. "Because
we actually knew what we were going to have to go through. The year
before, we didn't know. So going into last year, we were already
down before we even started."
No such negative feelings this year, even if the team is
expected to finish last again in the NL East. At least six position
players -- including big bats Brad Wilkerson, Nick Johnson and Jose
Vidro -- were among those reporting, checking in five days earlier
than required.
"No team in major league baseball's ever done what we did,"
Wilkerson said. "It was very tough on us, physically and mentally.
To say we were going to compete through the whole season was very
tough, and I think it was unrealistic. But now we've got a home.
There's no more excuses. We go out there and play baseball and try
to win ball games."
The first player to report was pitcher T.J. Tucker, who surveyed
the lockers and nameplates amid the sea of red jerseys and asked,
"Where am I? Did they release me already?"
"It's a little different," said manager Frank Robinson,
returning for a fourth year with the team. "It's a little
brighter, seeing that red in there. Sometimes you say, 'Am I in the
Cardinals' clubhouse?' But it's great. I like the uniforms."
The Nationals logo appears throughout the stadium, although the
word "Expos" still appears on a couple of signs and the seats
remain teal from the facility's days as the Florida Marlins' spring
home. Several players still carried their gear in big blue
"Expos" bags. All were buoyed by the news that the Nationals are
approaching the equivalent of 20,000 season tickets sold, far
exceeding the sparse crowds in Montreal.
"It hasn't hit me as much as it's going to hit me when we get
there for opening day," Wilkerson said. "To see those people in
the ballpark, and then you come the next night, and you're going to
see just as many people. Anybody can sell out opening day, but that
next night, there's probably going to be just as many. We're used
to it tapering off pretty good after the opening night."
The pitchers, catchers and staff will have their physicals
Wednesday and take to the field Thursday. During camp, the players
will get a briefing on the Washington area, offering advice on how
to get around and where to search for places to live in an area
that most have rarely, or never, visited.
"It's a fresh start," Robinson said. "What we're looking at
now is we have an even playing field, like everybody else. We have
a permanent home. We have our fans that will be supporting us, and
the schedule is the same as everyone else. They always said, 'Well,
those are home games in Puerto Rico,' but we were on the road."
The sheer energy and better attitude created by the move to
Washington should mean more wins this year, along with the return
of several injured players and the additions of new ones. Interim
general manager Jim Bowden's offseason haul included Vinny
Castilla, Cristian Guzman, Jose Guillen and Esteban Loaiza, and
he's probably not done.
"I expect this team to play better baseball than 83 wins,"
said Robinson, referring to the surprising 83-79 records of 2002
and 2003 before last year's plummet to 67-95. "No. 1, I think we
have more talent overall. It's a good defensive team, in and out. I
think this is the best all-around defensive team I've been around
as a manager."
This also might be the most unflappable team Robinson has
coached. After all, if they can survive three years of Montreal
limbo, they should be able to handle anything.
"When adversity comes and hits us in the face," Schneider
said, "we'll at least know what to do with it."
Game notes
The Nationals traded infielder Alejandro Machado to the
Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later. Machado was
designated for assignment Sunday to make room on the roster for
outfielder Alex Escobar, who was obtained from the Chicago White
Sox. ... Vidro has been in Viera for three weeks rehabilitating
from right knee surgery. "I'm almost there," said Vidro, who
expects to be 100 percent by opening day.