THAT'S what it is!

As many folks know, the Washington Nationals' new slogan is 'Natitude.'  It's hard to define a made-up term, one primarily chosen - in this case - because it sounds cool and is a nice melding of Nationals with a sports and societal buzzword.

In the old days, when lions like Dean Smith or John Wooden or Bobby Cox or even Joe Torre coached a team, attitude was bad. Teams strove for the antithesis, a sort of honest blend of confidence, success and humility sometimes called class, grace, or simply sportsmanship.

Now attitude is strived for, easy to market and exploit.  Combine that with a team coming into it's own led by young and therefore modern stars, and voila - Natitude.

I like using the hash tag #Natitude, but could not really define it in the case of the 2012 Nats.  But that was before this weekend's sweep of the Red Sox IN FENWAY.

The Nats went into Boston and were not intimidated as they swept the three-game series. Nor did they display much attitude.  They were LeBron James in game 6 serious as, for 3 nights, they picked up each other.  On Saturday, Ian Desmond got a big hit, with help from Adam LaRoche.

On Sunday, it was Danny Espinosa and Roger Bernadina with huge hits, with help from Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman.

On the mound, Mike Gonzalez and Sean Burnett picked up Gio Gonzalez one night, Tom Gorzelanny picked up Jordan Zimmerman the next.

And Tyler Clippard picked up everyone all three nights, earning an equal number of saves.

Doing your job, helping your team and teammates, is one definition of Natitude.

The one exception was Friday night, when the Nats' modern young stars simply dominated and didn't need much help.  Stephen Strasburg struck out 13, including Kevin Youkilis with the bases loaded in the 6th, to shut down the Sox with poise and simply nasty stuff.  Bryce Harper did the same  with his bat in blasting 3 hits, including a 420+ foot bomb to center.

Harper may best epitomize Natitude, specifically his home run trot.  It's actually a sprint that takes less than 20 seconds.   No boasting, no standing in the batter's box admiring his handy work.  Simply and confidently blasting a home run, then not showing up the pitcher and getting back in the dug out as fast as you can.

Success without excess.  Natitude.

Where to begin . . .?

Lots of blog-worthy material out there this weekend: Red Sox-Rays, Carolina at Virginia, Carolina basketball and the NBA season right around the corner.

ALCS [In honor of the (devil) Rays original color scheme the heading is in purple]

Before discussing tonight's game six, hard not to revisit game 5.  There is nothing I can add to that epic game other than to quote Jack Buck: "I don't believe what I just saw."  

Two interesting things to note.  One, those last three innings played out the way the rest of this series was supposed to play out: the Red Sox would have too much fire power and experience, and would simply wait out the young Rays until their knees and will turned to jelly.   That happened in games one and five, but famously did not happen in the first two games in Fenway (and the three games the Rays won).

I think the Rays will win tonight and go on to the World Series.  They like the Trop and they have Shields facing an off - or injured - Beckett. Look for Shields, Upton and Boston-native Pena to lead the Rays to victory.

I'll blog about this another time, but I think Obama and the Rays are linked (even though the Rays eliminated Obama's White Sox): both are huge underdogs but in the end could win the ultimate prize.  

Two, the other story for me on Thursday was Fenway and the Red Sox fans.  Red Sox Nation was in full effect that night.  Down by seven late not a single fan left early, and helped will the BoSox to victory.  I was impressed.

Finally, the notion of the Rays as a team o' destiny is catching on.   Not only has Carolina and Hellenic Blue bestowed that title but in today's Post Tom Boswell does too.

Carolina Football

It's not Notre Dame, but I'm a little worried about Carolina's game today in Charlottesville.  Virginia has won two in a row.  And this being college football, having a ranked opponent come in gives college athletes lots of extra motivation "to prove everyone who doubts our winning streak wrong ... make a statement . .. blah blah blah . . . cliche cliche cliche."

That said, Carolina has already won twice this year outside the state of North Carolina (coincidentally in my parents' 'home state' of New Jersey, and my former home state of Florida) and has quite a bit of momentum of their own.

I think Carolina's defense will continue to be opportunistic today against the Cavaliers, pick off a few passes, and lead the Heels to another road win.

Carolina Basketball

I actually don't have much to blog about here, other than I like blogging the words Carolina basketball.  That and a good article today in the N&O about the sky-high expectations for this year's squad.  I like Roy's quote and his Deanish attitude, too.  In general, I just like Roy.

Brendan Haywood

As some of you know, Evan and I are by far the biggest Brendan Haywood fans outside of Greensboro, North Carolina and the Haywood family.  With Etan Thomas hurt all of last year, Eddie Jordan finally gave Haywood the minutes he deserved, and B-Hay responded with a career year: 11 points, 7 boards, 2 blocks.  But more importantly, he guarded the rim and made the Zards look like a decent defensive team (they still were terrible guarding the three).  

But this season is already off to a terrible start for Haywood and the Wizards.  Brendan is out four to six months after surgery on his wrist.  And Gilbert Arenas is out until at least January, so once again the Wizards will be short handed for most of the season.

Arena was out most of last season, but Washington survived thanks to the performance of talented and professional players like fellow Heel Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, and Haywood.  Haywood's absence will hurt more than most think, and losing him and Arenas will be too much for this team to overcome.  I know Etan Thomas is a good lefty (I saw him on the Hill once, shadowing Obama for a day) but on the court he is a poseur. He likes to swing his elbows - and dreds - around a lot and look menacing but Etan, instead of posing how about passing the ball up court and starting a fast break?  That's one reason rebounds are important! He's also undersized at the 5 and does not guard the rim the way Haywood does.  

Look for the Wizards, despite heroic efforts from Jamison, Butler and fellow pros like Antonio Daniels, to limp along until B-Hay and Agent Zero return.

Turning Points?

Huge games last night in the NLCS and ALCS.

The Rays were very impressive - to say the least - in blasting the Sox in Fenway on Monday night. Not only that, but they stole Jon Lester's considerable mojo. Winning a pivotal game in Fenway is impressive, but beating Lester is even more impressive.

Now if the Red Sox are known for anything, it's staging Carolinaesque comebacks in the playoffs (ask Joe Torre, ask the Indians about last season's ALCS), so you never know.

However, I don't think that's going to happen this series, not with Tim Wakefield on the mound for game 4. It will be an interesting test for a young team like the Rays to see if they can be patient against a knuckle baller like Wakefield. But I think the Rays will figure him out, and take game four tonight.

Speaking of four, I still can't believe the Phillies scored that many times against the Dodgers bullpen in the eighth. With Cole Hamels on the mound for game 5, things look good for the Phillies. Oddly enough, the Phillies received no votes in our recent poll of who would win the World Series.

Red Sox, Reputation and Right-wing hypocrisy

I don't know why I keep picking against the Red Sox.  As good as their pitching is, as solid as their line up is, their number one asset is they know how to win.  A professional operation through and through.  

Now last night was just one game, and the Rays demonstrated amazing comeback power in regular head-to-head match ups against the BoSox.  Down the stretch Tampa Bay played well in Fenway.  But winning last night in the Trop - a stadium I campaigned against, by the way, when I lived in St. Pete primarily due to the fact that they built it on a small toxic waste site, a former transfer station for dry cleaning fluids or something like that - is big for Boston. 

Lost in all the talk of Lester and Beckett was the fact that Matsuzaka had a great season in his own right, winning more games than any other Red Sox starter.  He was a dominant, shut down starter last night, the kind of clutch performance you want from a starter on the road.

Tonight's game is big for two reasons: to see if the Rays, especially their offense, can bounce back; and to see how healthy Beckett is.   Should be another good game.

I'm also being proven wrong by the Phillies-Dodgers series, though the Phillies are being patient before they unleash their offense.  The first six hitters in that line up are impressive, but I didn't expect them to overwhelm Billingsley like they did last night.   

Game one was a tense play off classic, the kind of game where one mistake can do a lot of damage.  On Thursday it did, and it cost Lowe and the Dodgers.  That said, I still love Rafael Furcal.  Why the Braves let him walk is beyond me.

Carolina Football Update

Brand image still goes a long way, which explains why I am so focused on Carolina's game today against Notre Dame.  Carolina is the higher ranked team, and is playing at home, but still feels like the underdog against a team with Notre Dame's reputation and history.  

That said, I hope we beat them badly. Doing so would go a long way in cementing the notion that Carolina football is legit, which in turn should really help with recruiting especially in state with NC State being kind of down but also regionally.

Conversely, a win over the Fighting Irish may give fans and alumni the false impression that the rehabilitation of the football program is complete, an assertion that I imagine Butch Davis would reject.  Realistically, I doubt that will happen; it's my impression that alumni like it when the football team is decent and respectable but don't get that invested in the program.

Election Update

Interesting to see how the mean-spirited crowds at Palin rallies became a story this week.  Sadly, it's explainable when you look at the right-wing echo chamber in this country, namely Fox News, talk radio and certain blogs and websites.  You just don't see that kind of anger on the left, for better or worse (obviously for the better, though it would have been nice to see so left-wing anger over invading the wrong country in response to the attacks of September 11th). 

Their anger reminds me, again, that right-wingers are less patriotic than left-wingers in my book. They are much more ideological than the left, and certainly more angry then left is too. This vitriol reminds me of Duke and Carolina fans.  Dookies seem to hate us much more than we hate them.  

As exhibit A, look at how the right treated John Kerry's military service.  Kerry volunteered for Vietnam - unlike President Bush - and unlike John McCain - who flew a bomber - Kerry was on a boat and on the ground fighting his war.  Again unlike McCain, he was responsible for a squad of men, saw those men die, and perhaps more importantly saw the people he killed.  In short, all the attributes Republicans laud about McCain that Kerry displayed were mocked and challenged.

One reason liberals stayed quiet in the run up to the war in Iraq five years ago was the consensus that as a nation we have to support our troops (of course, the other reason is the President lied, etc).  The hypocrites on the right did not afford John Kerry the same respect or courtesy four years ago.

Obama Won Last Night's Debate

Unlike two weeks ago, when I thought the two candidates tied, I thought Obama won the debate last night.   

He won in part because McCain actively lost it - he seemed testy all night including his now famous 'that one' quote, sounded frustrated, rambled at times, repeated talking points more than once, and in general did not look or act presidential.  

I'm not sure acting presidential in a debate is that big of a deal but it is to lots of voters, including swings.

Conversely, I think Obama had a number of good moments.  After a tepid first 10 minutes, I thought Obama was strong and confident the rest of the night.  I particularly liked his answer to the 'sacrifice' question when he talked about both energy policy and national service.  

Obama also did a good job in using the word 'Bush' in almost every answer.  It would be fun - maybe not fun, interesting - to see if Obama said 'Bush' as many times as McCain said 'my friends.'   Obama is going to win this election due to Bush and the economy.  That must drive Hillary crazy; she'd be in the lead now too, for the same reasons. 

Once again, Obama was good on the war.  McCain, on the other hand, was incredibly shaky.  He walked into it, saying Obama did not have the judgement on Iraq.  Obama pounced all over that one, and hit a home run in pointing out McCain's misreading of all things Iraq - wrong country to invade, greeted as liberators, etc.  Why did McCain attack Obama's judgement on Iraq?  That's playing on Obama home turf.

Obama also did a nice jujitsu on the "I don't understand" phrase.  McCain walked into that one, too.

Finally, I think McCain just does not get it when it comes to Iraq: the country is tired of that war, and no matter how much you talk about the surge, voters tune out anyone who talks about anything other than pulling our troops out or having an exit strategy.   There is no political gain in being pro-surge or staying the course, etc. in Iraq.

The war, along with Bush and the economy, all look good politically for Obama. No gaffes from Obama or Biden between now and November 4th will be key, obviously. But I also liked how Obama closed the debate, going back to his message of hope and promise.  The economy and the war take care of themselves, politically.  If I were advising Obama I'd strongly emphasize the hope/promise message between now and November 4th. 

Baseball Playoffs; Ayers Redux

After batting .750 - going 3 for 4 in picking the Phillies, Dodgers, and Rays - in the first round I'm feeling a bit cocky. I don't know why I picked against the Sox; those guys are professionals with underrated pitching led by an underrated manager in Terry 'Don't Call Me Tito' Francona.  Managing a team expected to win, in a region and nation consumed with the Sox, plus replacing arguably your best hitter in mid-season is quite an accomplishment. Got to give it up for Francona.  And I shouldn't have picked against them. 

That said, I'm picking against them again.  The Rays look like a team of destiny, getting nice starting pitching, great work from the bull pen, and timely hitting.  Plus they are too young to know better, and they're playing in a terrible stadium that gives them a home field advantage.  

I'm picking the Rays in 6.  

In the NL the Dodgers are the team to beat.  Their pitching is peaking at the right time; I love Lowe and Kuroda is as good a number three starter in the NL.  Though a tad shaky in the bullpen that starting pitching should nullify the Phils' considerable power.   

This will be a good, tense series of close games as the Dodgers pitch with precision and the Phillies patiently wait for balls to drive.  Look for Loney and Martin, the guys who hit around Manny, to once again lead the offense.   Dodgers in seven.

One More Thing 

As many of you know, over the weekend Sarah Palin accused Obama of 'palling around with known terrorists' in reference to Obama's acquaintance with former dumb-ass hippie Bill Ayers.  Of course, husband Todd used to be a member of the Alaska Independence Party, a party that favors Alaska's secession from the United States.  Kind of a wash.

Here's hoping that if McCain repeats that accusation, Obama answer's "You know who I pal around with - Robert Rubin, Warren Buffet, and Paul Volker, guys who know how to regulate Wall Street, create wealth, etc."  plus, "I was 8 years old at the time you old, old, old, old, and might I add real old man."

Cubs, White Sox and Obama Make Chicago Center of the Universe

Interesting baseball playoffs coming up.  First you have compelling and traditional teams like the Cubs, Dodgers and Red Sox, recent World Series winners like the White Sox and Angels, and newcomers such as the Brewers and the Rays.  The Phillies are in there, too, and the Yankees are not.

Half of the first round divisional play offs look like cake walks.  Since CC Sabathia can't pitch every day, I don't expect the Brewers to put up much of a fight against the Phillies. Too much Phillies offense versus very weak Brewers pitching means Philadelphia will advance to the National League Championship Series.

Same in the American League, where I expect the Rays to beat the White Sox.  That series will be tighter than the Brewers-Phillies match up, but I'm still not sold on the ChiSox despite having Obama as a fan.  The Rays will drop a game but move on.

The other two series look like great match ups. Angels-Red Sox is a World Series-worthy series.  The Angels were a trendy pick for a while, and I still think they will win this series.  But the reason has more to do with the Sox than the Angels.  Beckett is hurt, Lowell and Drew are banged up, and the Red Sox bull pen is not that strong. The Red Sox will give them a run, but I see the Angels advancing 3 games to 2.

The Dodgers-Cubs match up is another intriguing one, the best of the four first-round series.  The Cubs look like the best team in the NL, but the Dodgers pitching staff will give them fits - and they have Manny Ramirez.  Derek Lowe has been fantastic down the stretch, as has Chad Billingsley.  Then again, Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster could equal things out.  My head says Cubs, but my gut says pick the Dodgers and their pitching in a 5 game series.  This one will be close and tense with some great baseball. 

So I think it will be Phillies vs. Dodgers (or Cubs) in the NL, and the Rays advancing to play the Angels in the AL.