Sunday, March 1, 2009

Bowden Resigns!!!!!!

I've been thinking about this post for a long time. What would be the right way to reply to the news that Jim is finally gone? No one likes a sore winner, so I thought I probably shouldn't gloat. Much more classy to say a few respectful words about Jim and something optimistic for the future. And besides, no matter how you feel as a Nationals fan, Jim's a human being and he's going through a really tough time. We should show respect for his situation and not appear to be too happy about him being pushed out the door.

Then, I thought... screw that! Bodes is toast! Leatherpants is gone! No more ex-Reds! No more media showboating! No more toolsy outfielders who can't play! No more comparing B-level prospects to Tom Seaver and Mike Schmidt! No more Jim Bowden!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woo-hoo!! Happy Day!! Let's Party!!!

40 comments:

Positively Half St. said...

So who do we want next?

logan said...

I want the Segway ...

Anonymous said...

It is a happy day, but it does sadden me that he leaves on his own terms and whines about false allegations in the media. I wanted to see him dragged out of Nationals Park in handcuffs Mike Tyson style kicking and screaming the whole way. I wonder if his "innocent" of any wrong doing was like Rijo's "innocent".

WFY said...

Congratulations on the tragedy of dreams come true or close enough.

Dre said...

so... I guess I don't need to follow THIS blog anymore... ;-)

Anonymous said...

NY Stat Guy - I think this was the only way Mark would let him go. Had to be a soft landing or keep him 'till it was over.

We all know (sorry Jim) that he wouldn't do this on his own. His ego is tooo big.

Anonymous said...

I just hope I dont have to look at his frosted tip hair and smug face on ESPN's First Take again.

Kevin Rusch said...

Guys, come on. He's not dick cheney.

Travis said...

Couldn't have happened to a better guy

Joel said...

"We greatly respect and admire the decision made today by Jim Bowden."- Stan Kasten

I love that line... He doesn't greatly respect or admire Jim Bowden or the job he did the last few years, he respects and admires the fact that he's finally agreed to go away!

Me too Stan, me too...

David Feron said...

Excellent!

estuartj said...

I hope all or most of the young talent JimBow brought to us blossums this year and he is offered a GM job elsewhere in MLB very soon.

That way we wouldn't have to feel guilty about running him out of town and he can be a mediocre GM glory hog for someone else.

Mike Liszewski said...

WOO-HOO!!!

And Joel and estuartj are totally on point.

Rob B said...

Can't make up for the wasted years (no pun intended) I really hope he gets the opportunity to drink his vodka martinis in someone else's skybox for years to come.
I actually think he could be a good GM in the right situation; maybe a team with liberal payroll spending and an solid farm system already in place.

Wil Nieves said...

What will happen to the name of your blog now? (What were the results of the survey you did about this a while ago?)

Steven said...

People voted to keep the blog name the same. We'll see. That's a question for another day.

I root for Jim's talent to blossom, but I just can't really bring myself to root for Jim personally anymore. Sorry--I started out as a Jim defender (check the old Capitol Punishment comments, and you'll see I was making the "blame Omar and Selig" defense as late as Jan. 08), then concluded that he finally should be let go, and now, after everything that's happened, he's made me really finally dislike him personally.

He's from a wealthy family and has made millions in MLB. He'll be fine personally. I kind of hope he's relegated to a life of irrelevance. That'd be the worst punishment for him--to live the rest of his life with no one caring one iota what he has to say.

Rob B said...

What's up with his snipe at Manny in his comments? Completely unrelated and inappropriate. Is he trying to defend himself by pointing out other media disasters?

@NY stat guy- I personally was hoping for him being tied behind a horse, which could be sent galloping off into the sunset

estuartj said...

What sniping at Manny are you refering to? I just re-read Bowden's statement and didn't see anything that fit your comment...

Rudy Gamble said...

congrats! hopefully the nats can get a GM to clean up the damage from minaya and bowden....

Unknown said...

Would you mind resetting the pole? I'd like to change my vote.

Rob B said...

@ estuartj-
It's not in the written statement, it was remarks that I guess made after reading that statement at the press conference. I think both the Post and the team website have it in their articles.

estuartj said...

Ahhh, Manny Ramirez, not Manny Acta, you need to be more clear.

I have no problem with anyone, even JimBow, taking a swipe at THAT Manny, he and Boras a such complete tools they make Bowden look like Mother Theresa.

Rob B said...

Oh don't get me wrong, I think Ramirez is a complete jackass. It's disgusting and insulting when he turns down $25 million to play a game when hard-working Americans are losing their jobs in this economy.
I just thought it was typical Jimbo to take a parting shot at someone( who was absolutely NOTHING to do with the Nats in any way.) If it was an attempt at humor it was not the time for it. I think it was another one of his cheap, used-car sales pitches; "I might be bad, but there's this guys out there who's even worse"

Bergmann on Man said...

Congrats to all!

youdeaddawg.blogspot.com

districtboy said...

It's critical that the Lerners oversee the process to ensure that the next GM understands the importance of state-of-the-art statistical analysis. Stan Kasten was successful before clubs began to appreciate the value of sabermeterics, which has revolutionized baseball management. But there is no evidence that Stan himself understands sabermetrics or its value. There is a reason why young GM's like Theo Epstein, Andrew Friedman, and Jon Daniels have been so successful -- they're operating at the cutting edge, giving their clubs a significant competitive advantage over "old school" GM's like Walt Jocketty and Dave Dombrowski, who have not changed with the times. Being a scout, even a very good one, is not sufficient -- so the Lerners should be skeptical about promoting Rizzo unless he is much more sophisticated than seems likely.

In particular, I don't see why Rizzo is likely to be more successful than young cutting-edge front office personnel like Jed Hoyer, Thad Levine or Mike Chernoff.

It's also important the new GM is 100% supportive of "The Plan" and is willing to focus on the long term. The Nationals cannot afford to get sidetracked by signing older free agents, even good ones. They're not going to the World Series any time soon, and the only way to get there in the end is to trade players with current value for younger prospects. Every single veteran should be on the trading block, without exception.

Craig said...

Congratulations! You've earned it.

Now what are you going to call the blog? Please tell me you're focusing your angst on Nick Johnson. It's really too bad the Nationals don't have Paul Lo Duca still - he was a great target.

http://www.halfstreetblues.com/2009/03/jim-bowden-i-am-today-resigning-my.html

Section 222 said...

This is good news for the Nats and for Nats fans. I'm glad he was able to bring Adam Dunn here. Maybe that parting gift will partially repay us for all we have endured.

Steven, I hope you'll keep doing the blog (which became much, much more than an anti-Bowden rant), but change the name -- It's a new day for the Nats.

jc107 said...

That was a fairly whiny, gaavadik statement by Bowden. Ack. "I did nothing wrong! I'm quitting because all you stupid reporters are making up false rumors about me!"

As for the next GM, I don't know. I tend to think the offseason is the best time to evaluate them, not the regular season, but I guess it's best to give Rizzo a shot for the next 6 months and then take stock in October. Tony LaCava would be nice, but I think Jed Hoyer is a pipe dream. He's perfectly happy where he is and wouldn't even talk to the Mariners; what do the Nats have to entice him with that Seattle didn't?

Keith Law said...

In particular, I don't see why Rizzo is likely to be more successful than young cutting-edge front office personnel like Jed Hoyer, Thad Levine or Mike Chernoff.

Given that you don't know any of those four people, I don't see why any of us should take this concern seriously. You can't say, even directionally, how much any of those four people know about "state-of-the-art statistical analysis" (whatever that means) or whether any of them is "cutting-edge" (ditto). And, if I understand you correctly, you are elevating that single criterion above all others in evaluating a GM candidate, which I think is folly.

logan said...

I think an analysis of the Expos 2004 roster compared to the present roster would be interesting.

I think the consensus is that there are better GMs out there and it's best he's gone, but IMHO he left the team more talented, younger and more interesting to watch than when he found it with no help from any ownership.

Brian said...

The team is better than it was when it showed up from Montreal.

But I'm not sure how impressive that actually is.

MLB ran the team on a tight budget. Basically oversaw the stripping off the major league roster. Ignored their player development.

Anything would be better than that.

Presidents Race Fan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Presidents Race Fan said...

I'm with Sid, and it's not just because the team is younger and more talented than before. Bowden's gambles always had tons more upside than downside. The big busts rarely involved the Nats giving up anything other than money. Can the team do better? Probably, but I'm reserving my judgment until the new GM is named.

Of course, if he did skim bonuses, he should burn in hell.

Athan said...

Congrats man. A nice pelt to add to your collection.

districtboy said...

Keith –

I take it from your response that you disagree with my assumption that Jed Hoyer, Thad Levine and Mike Chernoff are more knowledgeable about sabermetrics than Mike Rizzo. I fully admit that, as a fan, my understanding of these people is dependent on the reports of others, both in the media and on blogs. So my question to you is: do you believe that Rizzo does know how to use sophisticated statistical techniques for evaluating players and building teams? And, more generally, who would you pick for the position and why?

John O'Connor said...

Ding dong the witch is dead.

James Bjork said...

I say turn the page.

Change the name of this blog to a title that reflects your statistical analysis and commentary of the Nats-- no matter who is in charge.

In time, the existent title will seem more and more passe.

Mac G said...

Oh, the Nats have a chance now. Is Stan and his shitty "Plan" next? I hope so.

blah123 said...

Oh man, I wonder if his replacement will move one of the 80+ outfielders Bowden stockpiled in exchange for at least 1 decent pitcher to accompany Strattsburg in pitcher hell.

Unknown said...

This is almost like the end of the book version of "I Am Legend." Except instead of a new breed of lifeforms, it is the Nationals. And instead of the main character, it's Jim Bowden.

What I'm trying to say is that the Nationals are still fucking ugly, just like that new stupid breed of lifeforms.

And Jim Bowden is almost as cool as Will Smith. That's saying a lot.

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