Shark vs. Nyjer Round 3!

We're bringing back an oldie but a goodie here at Sharkadina to show all our new Reds fans readers (there are some, right?...RIGHT?) what we're all about here. Over the past two days the Shark fueled Reds have taken on an Indians team featuring ex-Nat outfielder Nyjer Morgan.

third time this photoshop has been featured on the blog- new record?

Nyjer Morgan was present when we originally nicknamed Bernadina The Shark, and was probably the first person to laugh at us/get behind the nickname by pointing at us in the stands and putting his hand over his head like a shark fin. Some call it mocking, we call it enthusiasm!

Three years ago, Nyjer and The Shark were battling for a spot in the Nationals outfield. Even though this was a relatively unimportant spring training battle on a relatively mediocre team, we treated it the way ESPN treated the LeBron decision. 

We followed their storyline and stats closely and were the ONLY media outlet to cover the 1st Annual Washington Nationals Spring Training Shark Riding Contest for Outfielders Competing for the Starting Center Fielder Position...For the Washington Nationals. Yes, the name of the contest was so long that it can't fit in one tweet, but no can say that it isn't descriptive!

SPOILER ALERT: Roger Bernadina won after Njyer "clung to the shark like a lamprey on a baby koala" and ricK anKIel was sucked into a submarine propeller. (Is anyone surprised?)

The battle ended after Nyjer was traded to the Brewers and Shark gave him a lift to Milwaukee. We thought that was the end of it, but fate brought them together again in July 2012 when Bernadina demonstrated why he is called the Shark and made a jawesome diving catch in Milwaukee that robbed Nyjer of a hit. The catch was #3 on SportsCenter Top Ten Plays that night.

Now they are facing each other again in Spring Training. Over the past two days, Bernadina has gone 2-4 with 2 runs, a triple, and a walk. (Video of the triple here). Nyjer has been impressive too going 2-6 with 2 runs, a double, and 2 RBIs. Today is the final game of the series...will The Shark bite Nyjer a third time? 

More to come.

SHARK HAS SPRUNG

Greetings Shark Fans,
I know many of you thought we had left you. To be completely honest, we weren't sure if we were coming back. Scratch that, that is a lie to make you feel better. Sharkadina is now a living part of us and will never die (whether we like it or not). - Sharkadina

WELCOME BACK SHARK FANS!

Though it may not feel it, spring has sprung and the Shark is back in action. Gone are his days of Washington Nationals red (sadly) as this year, the Shark reports in Cincinnati Reds...red.  That's right, Roger Bernadina will be competing this year to snag a spot on the Reds' Opening Day roster.  And the Shark is ready. For further proof, read this article.  Or, if you're feeling lazy, just read the below quote from the article.

“I’m focused on a new year,” he said. “I’ll do what it is to perform on the field.”

The only thing that could prevent the Shark from making the roster is the strange-but-true fact that one of his teammates, Chad Rogers was once attacked by a bull shark. Though it's surely not a joking matter, I imagine it looked something like this.

While going to games won't be nearly as easy, we would love to keep the Shark nickname alive in Major League Baseball.  With Tyler in Chicago to catch games when he's playing the Cubs, and Terry in DC to catch Shark vs Nats games, we're ready for the 2014 season.

We leave you with this somewhat blurry shot of the Cincinnati Reds Spring Training camp.

Can you spot Roger Bernadina?

More to come?