Opening Night Open Thread

Sunday, March 30, 2008



Hey, why the hell not right? Jon and Joe are entering their 19th year together (can you believe that?) and the over/under on Morgan's first dumb comment is 5 outs. See you around 8pm for the start.

"Steve the radio show was earlier today. We don't need to kill time now. EY you've got four seconds. What was that?"- Karl Ravech

World Series Predictions:

Steve Phillips: Detroit Tigers-NY Mets
Eric Young: Boston Red Sox-Atlanta Braves
John Kruk: Chicago Cubs-Cleveland Indians
Karl Ravech: Chicago Cubs-Detroit Tigers

Oooh Politics and Baseball mixed for the intro. Didn't see that coming.

"Maybe they're setting off the fireworks in honor of us."- Joe Morgan

Oh god....here we go.


Hi guys!

Oh God opera (Via Anon)

Yeah that Anthem was special. Time to see what Dubya's got....he's normally pretty good at these first pitches.

Dubya really god the crap booed out of him. (Via Akiyama)

Yeah that was kind of bad, but at least he brought the heat. Jon Miller just called about 7 games in the Nats lineup sluggers. If says that about Tim Hudson I'll be worried.

"I only recognize tonight. This is the opening of the baseball season here in America."- Joe Morgan

I don't think Joe likes the trip to Tokyo.

"The only reason Kelly Johnson chased this is because he was behind in the count."- Joe Morgan

It was two and two you dumbass.

I love when announcers say what Morgan just said, "You don't want to get a player thrown out at the plate with no outs," -- so does that mean it's okay to get thrown out at the plate any other time? (Via Uncle Wood)

K Zone Sucks, its never right. (Via Anon)
"I believe in K-Zone"- Joe Morgan (Via Anon)

"What you have to do in certain situations, that's called situational hitting."- Joe Morgan

Hahahaha....it never gets old. Hey a run! And it comes off a Nick Johnson RBI!!! Good to have 24 back in the lineup and his craptastic slides.

"It's a little known thing but the fact that Nick Johnson took that extra base on his RBI hit it allows...........................Kearns to drive in a run and move to second himself."- Joe Morgan

I could hear the gears grinding as he frantically flipped through his program to find Austin Kearns. I'm also pretty sure Jon Miller just used the word "clutch" 14 times in a 20 second span.

Good to see Joe is up to speed on his historical landmarks. The Washington Memorial?? (Via Scott)

There is definitely a Geico caveman sitting behind home plate. 5th row, on the aisle, in the red jacket. God Bless America! (Via Anon)

Ugh. And now they're talking about Yankee Stadium. Good times.


"I was thrilled to be here."- George Bush (Via Uncle Wood)

Have you ever seen a time where George W. Bush is the smartest man in the room? There is a first for everything. (Via Steve)

Yeah this is just really awkward. It's like they didn't even try to prepare.

"Thank goodness you didn't put that little strike zone up there you know"- George Bush (Via Anon)

"Chipper looks like he may have the first homerun in this park."- George Bush
"As called by President Bush."- Jon Miller

He sounded a little bitter there.

"You ever think maybe you'd like to go into play by play? Joe's been trying to get rid of me and hire somebody else."- Jon Miller
"They say I got a lot of hot air you know, so maybe I'm well suited for it."- George Bush

"The great thing about Baseball is that you don't have to be a giant to play it...as you know."- George Bush to Joe Morgan

"First thing in the morning we're headed off to the Ukraine." - George Bush
"All right." - Joe Morgan
(Via Anon)

Hahahahahahahaha. Great stuff.

"Congratulations on a great season you promoted here last year"- Joe Morgan to Manny Acta

Is this President First Pitch graphic the only one they have available for tonight?

Does anyone have a tally as to how many times Miller has said "President Bush threw out the first pitch"? I've only watched 3 innings so far and it has to be about a dozen times already. (Via Ames)

It's got to be near thirty.

"It gets stinking hot here in July."- Jon Miller

LoDuca must have been trying to remember that 19-year olds name right there...Nats blow one, and it won't be the last... (Via Uncle Wood)

That was terrible.

Posted by Awful Announcing- at 7:46 PM

86 Comments:

I'll take the over (I heard Gary Thorne and Dave Campbell are doing the game).

But if you substitute Thorne for Morgan, I'll take the under.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 7:48:00 PM  

I'll take the under. This will be the first baseball game I've ever watched in HD tonight. I hope it's great.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 7:52:00 PM  

Nope Anon....it's for sure Miller and Morgan. Thorne and Campbell might be on the radio.

Mar 30, 2008, 7:54:00 PM  

ifiok,

Don't be too disappointed if it isn't up to your expectations. ESPN's HD feed (unless something changes for MLB '08) isn't one of the better broadcasts currently available.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 7:58:00 PM  

"Maybe they are setting up the fireworks in honor of us" -Joe Morgan

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:04:00 PM  

Joe Morgan's dumb comment started yesterday during the Civil Rights Game. That asswipe stated that baseball is not only losing interest in the African-American communities but all all communities in this country. Also, that baseball is staying afloat by importing players from Latin America and Asia.

6 Billion Dollars in revenue and American is losing interest in Baseball?

Salva73 said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:05:00 PM  

Oh God opera

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:09:00 PM  

Worst National Anthem Ever.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:10:00 PM  

that lady scares me, she may eat me

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:10:00 PM  

Oh God, did anyone else hear those player intros? The music sounded like some cheesy old Western show.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:11:00 PM  

of course. can phillips pick anyone but the mets? I used to think he was ok, but he is obviously rooting for them when he gives his analysis. get over it

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:12:00 PM  

"6 Billion Dollars in revenue and American is losing interest in Baseball?"

--and likely 80 million through the gates this year, yeah, the game is in trouble...

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:12:00 PM  

Ball, Mr President.

Justin Williams said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:13:00 PM  

Dubya really god the crap booed out of him.

Akiyama said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:16:00 PM  

He certainly looked more comfortable than Cheney last year.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:16:00 PM  

wait, Morgan told me yesterday Odalis Perez was going to be the fifth starter on the Mets, what's the deal?

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:21:00 PM  

morgan mispronounced Matt Diaz....hes in fine form this year. One pitch has not been thrown yet.

Pickitup said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:21:00 PM  

O/U on the word "first"

Akiyama said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:24:00 PM  

Im waiting for the obligatory "he's on pace to hit 162 home runs this year" when someone hits a home run tonight.

Pickitup said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:24:00 PM  

Great...they're talking about a tag.

Mar 30, 2008, 8:26:00 PM  

I think Mayweather vs Big Show is coming up soon. Just alerting all you boxing fans.

And damn is that tag annoying on Perez.

Brett said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:27:00 PM  

Did Joe Morgan almost say "American player" instead of Nationals player?

Pickitup said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:33:00 PM  

i love when announcers say what morgan just said, "you don't want to get a player thrown out at the plate with no outs," -- so does that mean it's okay to get thrown out at the plate any other time?

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:35:00 PM  

K Zone Sucks, its never right

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:37:00 PM  

"I believe in K-Zone"-Joe Morgan

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:37:00 PM  

Anybody catch the Baseball Tonight reenactment commercial of the Bug Game in Cleveland last year? Karl Ravech is not Joba Chamberlain.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:37:00 PM  

If there was a Pammy for baseball season it'd be named after Joe Morgan.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:39:00 PM  

am i the only one that expected nick johnson to be out for the season after that slide into second?

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:42:00 PM  

No UW....that was sketchy, but all of his slides are sketchy.

Mar 30, 2008, 8:43:00 PM  

Thank you, Jon Miller, for noting all of the firsts at Nationals Park, for the "congressional record"...wait, what?

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:44:00 PM  

that is the 4th time morgan has dropped "hustle" in one innings

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:45:00 PM  

Dubya really got the crap booed out of him. (Via Akiyama)

Curse my typos. 2-0 Nats so far. Where's the Braves winning the East? (Yes, I'm already jumping on them by the bottom of the first inning.)

Akiyama said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:46:00 PM  

YOU GUYS NEED TO GET A LIFE.... ENJOY THE GAME AND STFU!!!!!!YOU GUYS ARE LAME!!!!

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:48:00 PM  

There is definitely a Geico caveman sitting behind home plate. 5th row, on the aisle, in the red jacket.

God Bless America!

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:50:00 PM  

"There's nothing like going to a new house." Joe Morgan

I wonder what your house looks like Joe.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:51:00 PM  

what the heck just happened to Gammons, there was no way i thought he was going to get through that update...

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:52:00 PM  

Good to see Joe is up to speed on his historical landmarks. The Washington Memorial??

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:52:00 PM  

Someone's in the wrong place...

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:53:00 PM  

I thought it was the Washington Monument.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:53:00 PM  

Morgan was referring to the little known Claudell Washington Memorial, which is a shrine to players that suited up for at least seven teams.

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:56:00 PM  

Bush is coming up to be interviewed by Joe and John. Get ready to add a ton of quotes to the main post.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 8:59:00 PM  

Ahh my good friend NDN....I love you. You hate the site but you read anyway. My favorite kind of people.

Mar 30, 2008, 8:59:00 PM  

I'm pretty sure that is Joe Morgan stopping by to say hello.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:01:00 PM  

Yes Anon! I'll get them up as fast as you type them.

Mar 30, 2008, 9:01:00 PM  

W - "I was thrilled to be here."

Aren't you still there?

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:01:00 PM  

"Thank you very much uh..., it's a thrill to be here." George W. Bush.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:02:00 PM  

boy, not an awkward conversation between the three at all

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:03:00 PM  

Have you ever seen a time where George W. Bush is the smartest man in the room? There is a first for everything.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:03:00 PM  

Drinking Game!

Take a shot everytime you hear the words "presidential opener". You won't be alive after 1/2 an inning.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:06:00 PM  

Having the President in the booth...These are the times I wish John Kruk was doing the game.

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:06:00 PM  

I just switched on the game, and what's the first image I see? Morgan, Miller, and President Bush sitting in the booth together... collectively knowing absolutely nothing about the sport they are watching. This hurts my brain. ::mutes tv::

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:07:00 PM  

"Thank goodness you didn't put that little strike zone up there you know" -Bush talking about his pitch

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:10:00 PM  

goody bush is in the booth

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:12:00 PM  

Joe Morgan as Astros GM? I don't think he would want to have Billy Beane write a book about his strategies. Call it a hunch.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:13:00 PM  

"Is there any interest in your half to get back in. (silence)
-Morgan to Bush about buying the the nationals

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:14:00 PM  

"I watch you guys quite a bit...at least on Sunday nights" - Bush

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:15:00 PM  

Jon Miller really wants to piss of his San Francisco audience sucking up to W. it seems.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:15:00 PM  

look at that grip bush has on the table

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:16:00 PM  

Bush is starting to sound bored. I think he just wants to shoot a breeze and watch a ballgame.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:16:00 PM  

George W. knows a lot more about the Braves than the actual color commentator does....just sayin'.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:17:00 PM  

i want to see them develop this "sophisticated stuff" for steroids to, george

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:17:00 PM  

Steve- If Chip Caray said it was a Sunday game, I'm checking my calendar.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:19:00 PM  

joe morgan needs to be taken out of the booth before someone gets hurt

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:20:00 PM  

George W zings George Will, nice.

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:21:00 PM  

"First thing in the morning we're headed off to the Ukraine." - Bush
"All right." - Morgan

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:21:00 PM  

Tell me you guys caught the Baseball Tonight commercial with the flies and the Yankees...pretty good.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:21:00 PM  

"Some of the best times of our lives was when we were with the Rangers"- George W.

Thanks for telling us that George W.

Did Bush just let it slip he was heading to The Ukraine? Isn't that suppose to be classified.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:22:00 PM  

Over/Under on ow many words the FJM post will be tomorrow?

Bush+Morgan+Miller = Ken Tremendous' head exploding

MattyB said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:26:00 PM  

joe morgan has not gone more than 30 seconds without a chuckle/giggle

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:26:00 PM  

No, that was in the papers a week ago, never fear, W will solve all of NATO's problems...

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:27:00 PM  

"manny acta will visit with us from the nationals dugout"
-Miller
you cant have it both ways, jon

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:27:00 PM  

You see Kanye West, George Bush and MLB do care about black people!

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:28:00 PM  

"congratulations on a great season you promoted here last year"
-Morgan to manny acta

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:29:00 PM  

ahhhhh there we go "Delmon young" PLAY BALL

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:29:00 PM  

Does anyone have a tally as to how many times Miller has said "President Bush threw out the first pitch"? I've only watched 3 innings so far and it has to be about a dozen times already.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 9:57:00 PM  

What about a count on the word "first"? I'd say at least 15-20 times.

Akiyama said...
Mar 30, 2008, 10:02:00 PM  

I don't know how many times he mentioned that, but I was upset they didn't ask W what he thought about "Lil Bush" on Comedy Central.

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 10:02:00 PM  

I am very happy I have tickets to a Sunday night sox/yanks game this year, so I wont be subjected to hearing these two AMAZING announcers.

Also the Presidential opening night/Bush first pitch count has got to be at at least 50

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 10:06:00 PM  

What is the tally on Morgan telling us about the parties he has been invited too? He must be pretty popular, but then again, it's kind of like inviting that dumbass cousin who lives in Japan to your wedding because you know he can't come. I am sure the Cubbies checked the broadcast schedule before extending Morgan the invite...

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 10:28:00 PM  

With all the damn times Sweet Caroline gets played in ballparks around America, Neil Diamond should do four or five more Storytellers episodes. I'm sure John Goodman is available.

;)

Unknown said...
Mar 30, 2008, 10:28:00 PM  

Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch...separated at birth?

Mar 30, 2008, 10:34:00 PM  

LoDuca must have been trying to remember that 19-year olds name right there...Nats blow one, and it won't be the last...

Uncle Wood said...
Mar 30, 2008, 10:38:00 PM  

Isn't 2 and 2 considered behind in the count? 1 strike and you're out. 1 ball and it's a full count.

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 10:41:00 PM  

Before the break: "That ball was in the air." - Joe x 2

After the break: "That ball was in the air - until it hit the ground there at the end." - Joe

I've missed you, Mr. Morgan.

Mar 30, 2008, 10:41:00 PM  

"The Happy Ending for the Nationals..." - Jon Miller

Anonymous said...
Mar 30, 2008, 10:46:00 PM  

So at least I'm not the only one who had to listen to Joe describe what a "passed ball" is three times on the same play!

Anonymous said...
Mar 31, 2008, 12:27:00 PM  

Post a Comment