I got pulled in by the hype and watched Stephen Strasburg’s debut on MASN.

“Stras-y” in the words of guest analyst John Lannan looked great, but if you turned away you would have missed his two quick and efficient innings. The three straight ground ball outs to start his career were a very nice touch.  Mike Rizzo insisted they might leave him in for a third, but when he gave up two hits in the second it was obvious he was gone. 

The real surprise was how strangely comforting it was to hear the voices of “Bob & Rob”, kind of like old friends that you hadn’t spoken to in awhile.  Even the annoying Debbi Taylor wasn’t quite as annoying.  Some highlights:

• They are in love with Ian Desmond.

• Bob quoted from his own blog, “Extreme Makeover: Clubhouse Addition” 
  

• Rob is impressed at “how many guys 6 foot 5 and higher are on this team right now.”

• Bob sees Curly W hats all around the country.
  

• Bob covers Okalahoma Sooner Women’s Basketball in the off-season.

• Viera is getting nicer and even has a movie theater and great shopping now. 
  

• Bob hinted that everyone should mention this to their wives.

• Interesting talk on how many MLB teams are leaving Florida for Arizona.

But too much about "How the whole atmosphere is better this year." Enough already.

Although it is true we are no talking about Daniel Cabrera this year...

Welcome back Rob and Bob, and even you Debbi.

      

I have a confession to make; I listen to sports talk radio.  I’ve been listening to WTEM for its entire 18 years on the air and enjoy Steve Czaban and Andy Pollin, despite the fact that they have very little knowledge of anything but the Redskins and Maryland Basketball.   In the late ‘90s I used to listen to Dan Patrick’s ESPN show, before he was exiled from the ESPN kingdom a couple years later.  Dan Patrick had a funny, intelligent sidekick who had recently ended his baseball career, Rob Dibble.

“Dibs” brought the inside atmosphere of the bullpen to radio in a refreshingly candid way.  Yet, when I heard he was coming to town to do color for the Nats I took a wait and see attitude.  He didn’t seem the type to do his homework and put in the time to follow one team for 162 games.  He didn’t seem the type to patiently document a last place team for hour after hour.  It turns out I was right and wrong.  He isn’t the type to patiently discuss a last place team, but he’s been a great change in the booth for the Nats.

Last night I started watching the game in the 8th, in time to see the Nats tie it with two outs in the 9th and then leave Kip Wells in for 51painful pitches and lose in the 12th.  Just another painful night in Nats Town.   Yes, but with Dibble you feel like you’re watching with an honest, funny friend. 

Some of his best comments last night were on the far away look in Manny Acta’s eyes as he let Wells implode, “He’s dreaming of white sandy beaches and palm trees” and of course the bullpen “we just need someone who can do his job, pitch an inning and get three outs.”  

I’ve never heard such consistently candid comments from another color commentator.  Certainly Dan Snyder (see corporate stooge Larry Michaels and Peter Angelos (see the fired great Jon Miller) would never stand for it, but I’m praying the Lerners have a thick skin and leave this alone.   Welcome to town Rob.