http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/?blog=dautch Walk Off Balk tracks the unique achievements, both great and dubious, that make our Nats the team we know and try to love. With humor, snark, affection, and (hopefully) insight, we'll explore the many reasons why Nationals fanhood is a truly singular and often terrifying experience. en-us Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:09:02 GMT Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:52:11 GMT info@nationalsdailynews.com (11) info@nationalsdailynews.com (Ian Koski) http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=29&story=requiem-for-a-lightweight,-part-2&s=rss To fire him now says one thing: he didn't pan out for the Austin Kearns and Adam Dunns of the team, but we have to prevent the Craig Stammens and Jordan Zimmermans from being impacted in quite the same way. Getting someone new in there allows the team to grow in a different and better direction. Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:52:11 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=29&story=requiem-for-a-lightweight,-part-2&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=28&story=mannys-hopeless-dilemma&s=rss Sometimes, you set yourself up to render certain actions impossible. For example, if you're a cop who lets 1000 motorists go by at 110 mph in a 65 zone, how can you credibly pull over the guy doing 66? Or if you, as the boss, laugh as employees hit the office at 11 am after a nice brunch, can you realistically yell at someone who enters at 9:01? Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:33:09 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=28&story=mannys-hopeless-dilemma&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=27&story=sowhat-would-make-manny-panic&s=rss Several of you have seen the "What, Me Worry" piece on Alfred E. Acta in this morning's traditional media. I have to tell you...that was as angry as I've been about the Nationals all season. Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Fri, 29 May 2009 17:05:12 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=27&story=sowhat-would-make-manny-panic&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=26&story=just-stupid-enough-to-fail:-dcab-as-closer&s=rss When things are going badly, why not shake it up a little bit? By "badly", I mean, "my fiancee didn't show up for the wedding" badly. I mean, "I'm so embarassed by that picture on Facebook that I'm gonna get all new friends" badly. I mean, "my life is so miserable, I think I'll move to Djibouti and just hope for the best" badly. Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Thu, 21 May 2009 18:24:59 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=26&story=just-stupid-enough-to-fail:-dcab-as-closer&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=25&story=even-the-bromance-is-bummed-out,-bro&s=rss Bob and Rob always enjoy spending time together. Always. No matter what. Especially when Bob has that "please don't leave and make me work with Ray Knight again" tone in his voice and starts having fun with Rob again. Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Wed, 20 May 2009 00:26:26 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=25&story=even-the-bromance-is-bummed-out,-bro&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=24&story=july-20-is-now-heinie-manush-day&s=rss Heinie Manush sounds like the kind of risque act you could only see at a Roaring '20's burlesque show. Heine Manush sounds like an expletive you'd say while thumbing your nose at someone (or worse). Heinie Manush could almost describe a physical response to indigestion. Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Sun, 10 May 2009 20:26:09 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=24&story=july-20-is-now-heinie-manush-day&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=23&story=aaaaannnnd-now-we-have-to-play-the-greatest-home-team-in-the-world&s=rss It's official, and I don't care what anyone else says: Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble are the hottest bromance in Washington right now, bar none. Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Wed, 06 May 2009 14:46:40 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=23&story=aaaaannnnd-now-we-have-to-play-the-greatest-home-team-in-the-world&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=22&story=bagging-the-season:-from-the-teams-perspective&s=rss My distinguished colleague Mr. Hornbaker recently wrote about how painful it is, as a fan, to witness this failure night after night. But at what point will the Nats themselves actually forego the rest of the year, and which veterans will they trade when they do? Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Fri, 01 May 2009 15:48:29 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=22&story=bagging-the-season:-from-the-teams-perspective&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=21&story=whyfi-and-other-assorted-thoughts&s=rss When Nationals Park first opened, the team made a fairly big deal of the stadium's supposed Wi-Fi capability. I bet lots of fans counted on it, too. Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:21:20 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=21&story=whyfi-and-other-assorted-thoughts&s=rss http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=20&story=customer-service-during-a-rain-delay&s=rss Last night, I waited out a rain delay at Nationals Park for what amounted to "Crappy Hour": double priced beers at the stadium rather than half priced beers at a bar. Noticed a few things. Sports dautch@nationalspride.com (Brian Dautch) Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:25:06 GMT http://www.nationalsdailynews.com/columnists/post.cfm?blog=dautch&id=20&story=customer-service-during-a-rain-delay&s=rss