Spring Shark Domination

Davey Johnson, looking to keep a sharkplug in the 4-3 Nationals, started the Shark again today.  This is following his start against AL MVP Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers yesterday (which ended in a tie by the way).  This was a brilliant play on his move as the Shark rewarded his manager with a 2-out RBI single off Jake Westbrook to give the Nats an early 1-0 lead.  Unfortunately, the game was postponed due to rain, so the game/stats will not count.  It did raise the Shark's spring BA to .333, albiet briefly.

Fortunately, the Shark's single left an impression on the Cardinals/fans/everyone due to the strange conditions surrounding the pitch.  Below is a screen shot of the single:

Explosive, to say the least...

The Nats resume their spring schedule tomorrow against the cardinals, with more of the above expected.

More to come.

Shark vs Tigers

It would be crazy to miss the opportunity to promote a battle between two ferocious species. The Shark-led Washington Nationals split squad faced off against the Detroit Tigers today.  The Detroit Tigers started reigning Cy Young/MVP Justin Verlander while the Nats led off with their own MVP (Most Valuable Predator).  The Shark got the upper hand in the first inning, singling off Verlander.  Apparently, even a 24 game winner fears the bite of the deadliest sea creature.

Unfortunately (and probably wrongly) the Shark was thrown out trying to steal second although Detroit Tigers radio announcer Dan Dickerson claimed that the Tigers probably caught a break on the call.  After the inning, there was a brief delay of game as Bernadina charged Tigers catcher Alex Avila, dismembering him.  One lucky fan snapped this photo right before the brawl.

Alex Avila and Roger Bernadina battle it out

A quick google search reveals a much more epic Shark/Tigers battle, but things don't look as positive for the Shark...  If it were Bernadina, those tigers would be fish chum.

3 Tigers vs Bernadina hardly seems fair...for the Tigers

At the time of this post, the Nats were down 4-3 and the Shark had been replaced by Destin Hood in the field.

More to come.

Shark Face/Off

Well, The Shark didn't play in today's Spring Training game against the Astros, in which Tom "Sloth" Gorzelanny gave up eight runs (they don't call him "Sloth" for nothing, folks). We will have more news tomorrow after The Shark shines in left field and batting lead off. I'm personally predicting an infield single in which he beats the throw by using his Shark Speed.

Moving on...I always thought that Terry was the only person out there who spend time photoshopping images of Roger Bernadina. Well, it turns out I was wrong. While I was doing some Googling for images to work into the blog, I stumbled upon a startling discovery. Someone had photoshopped Bernadina's face over my own. Here is the original, from the first time I ever met The Shark in person:

Now take a look at this:

NOT a sanctioned Sharkadina photoshop

I don't know if I am more disturbed or honored by this. Some guy named "griff" posted this on the forums over at Ballparkguys.com. I suppose any way The Shark name is spread is good. Even if it does mean creepily superimposing his face over mine...

I would even take it a step further, and volunteer for the procedure from "Face/Off" (one of my favorite movies ) and switch faces with him. Actually, it would probably be funnier if we did a "Freaky Friday" thing. Hijinks would ensue with me playing professional baseball and Bernadina working at children's theatre! I love it, I'm going to work on that script right now and mail it to Hollywood! I would cast Will Smith as The Shark and a Shia LeBeouf-type as myself (important note: I didn't say Shia LeBeouf, just a "Shia LeBeouf-type").

For the record, the last time we saw Bernadina, we gave him his own Shark hood. His has yellow eyes (mine are green, and Terry's are blue- that's the only way to tell us apart at games). I'd like to think he carries it around with him and is in fact wearing it in Florida right now, but he might have thrown it away. Oh well.

More to come.

Helllooooo NURSE (Shark)

The Washington Nationals kicked off their spring schedule (on schedule) with a 1:05 game against the Houston Astros.  New Nat Edwin (nickname to be determined) Jackson made his Washington debut with positive results, allowing one hit and walking two while not allowing a run to score.  Despite his pitching efforts, the Nationals lost 3-1, and are officially 0-1 so far this spring.

But who cares about that?

The most important thing here is that Roger "The Shark" Bernadina made his spring debut today, and made a jawsome first impression of 2012.   Starting in left field and batting 8th, the Shark went 2 for 3, with a double and a run scored (it was the only run the Nationals managed to score).  One day in, things couldn't look better.  As everyone thought that he would, the Shark came to Spring Training with an fire in his eye.  No slow start for the Shark.  He's here to leave an impression.

His competition, however, showed up to play as well.  RicK AnKiel, starting in center, tripled (going 1-2) but failed to score.  Brett Carroll, also went 1 for 2, coming in to replace AnKiel halfway through the game.  Young Bryce Harper ended the game 1 for 3.  Xavier Paul went 0 for 1 and was the last out of the game.  I am still not convinced that he exists.

Despite the competition, the Shark outplayed, outswam, and outeverythinged all other Nationals today.  It is something that we can start getting used to.

Before I go, I leave with some pictures of the Shark taken by Shark fans @AllStars_S2  and @NatsHR2Win.  A very special thank you to both of these guys for risking their lives by getting so close to the Shark.

Bernadina at the plate, moments before his double

Bernadina scoring the run, moments before he eats Randy Knorr's leg

Bernadina doing his pre-batting practice stretches (note Knorr's leg)

More to come.

Let the Shark Games Begin

The Nationals kicked off their spring training games today with an exhibition game against the Georgetown University Hoyas.  Sadly, the Shark did not make an appearance in the game (I guess we will have to wait until tomorrow), but the Nationals still managed to win 3-0.  The real spring training games start tomorrow when the Nationals face the Astros at 1:05.  If the Shark is in the starting lineup, I'll definitely have to watch the game, and watch as he feeds on Astros pitching like the Magalodon feeds on blue whales.  For Tyler and I, spring doesn't begin until the Shark takes the field.

Fortunately for us (as we are ready for spring to begin), there has been a slew of Shark related news as of late:

• First, and most importantly, the Shark was resigned by the Nationals today along with Drew Storen.  This definitely can't be a bad sign (it shows that the Nationals want to keep him).

• More proof of that is that according to a Nationals source, there are no talks of trading the Shark, despite the team's seemingly constant pursuit of a new center fielder...

• The Nat's Blog wrote a great article about chances of the Shark landing a spot on the Nationals team, entitled, "The Shark's Final Chance to Hunt."  Not only do we love the use of the Shark nickname, but the article also talks positively of Bernadina's chances to leave a mark this spring.

• BABY SHARK ON THE RISE!! Will there be a Shark Rivalry in the Beltway Series?

• It's official, Major League Baseball has added a second Wild Card slot to the playoffs.  This will definitely help the Shark-led Nationals chances to secure it's first berth since coming to DC.

Things are definitely looking up for the Shark and the Nats.  I'm definitely excited for the games to start tomorrow, so we finally see some 2012 Shark Action!

I leave you with a picture of the Shark and his brother Roderick taken at their last family reunion.

Roger and Roderick Bernadina

More to come.

SHARKSANITY!

Hello Loyal Shark Fans! Tyler here with my first post of the year. Sorry I haven't posted sooner, I've been sick...with a case of SHARKSANITY! And the only cure is a fully loaded syringe of the Sharkadina blog plunged directly into my heart. Brace yourself people.

For those of you following the Spring Training story lines, you are already familiar with the big four:

1. "Living legend" Stephen Strasburg is fully recovered from Tommy John surgery and is expected to pitch a full season. He is already looking good in Spring Training and threw a live batting practice session yesterday. This kid is so good, he even struck out The Shark!
2. Bryce Harper is in camp and is fighting for a starting job in the outfield. Rumor has it he has been seen with eye black in the shape of a Shark.
3. Ryan Zimmerman's contract extension! We're all happy that "The Face of the Franchise" will be a National until 2012. Apparently, one of his demands was to have the locker next to Bernadina because "he is, like, the coolest guy I know, and that nickname is SWEET!"

And the biggest Spring Training story line...

4. HOW WILL ROGER "THE SHARK" BERNADINA DO?

Will he get traded? Will be waived and picked up by another team? Will he make the 25 man roster as a 4th or even 5th outfielder? Will he dominate Spring Training and finally solidify a starting spot, sending  everyone's least favorite player, ricK anKiel to the bench? Baseball fans everywhere are on the edge of their seat waiting to hear the fate of their favorite aquatic-predator-nicknamed player. 

Today we got some inside info from our old pal Bill "NOT SPEED RACER!" Ladson (please continue to tweet, write, call, mail letters, etc. to Bill imploring him to stop using the Speed Racer nickname and embrace "The Shark" like the rest of America, nay, the WORLD.) Here's the article reprinted for your connivence and without permission (when you call him The Shark, we promise to be more polite, Bill!).

Nats looking for Bernadina to be consistent 

VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina is out of Minor League options, so it will be interesting to see what role he'll play this season. 

There is a possibility that Bernadina could be traded, although one baseball source said recently that the Nationals are not actively trying to deal him. 

If Bryce Harper doesn't make the team out of Spring Training, there is a possibility that Bernadina could find himself in a right-field platoon with Mark DeRosa. 

Bernadina is coming off a disappointing season in 2011, hitting .243 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. There was even a point in the season where he was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse due to a lack of production. 

Hitting coach Rick Eckstein is on a mission to see that Bernadina stays consistent at the plate. Eckstein wants Bernadina to use the entire field to get base hits instead of going for the long ball. Bernadina seems to go into prolonged slumps whenever he tries to hit home runs. 

"He can slot in the top of the order and be an on-base percentage guy," Eckstein said. "He can bunt, he can run, he can use the entire field. But then he has that power component, and sometimes that power component takes over. He has the bigger swings, he swings at pitches he shouldn't be swinging at. Definitely, our goal is to have him reach his potential. 

"Bernadina is a special athlete. We've all seen what he is capable of doing, but he needs to package it every day. We love him. His athleticism is tremendous. There is no doubt in my mind that he can be a complete-package player. But showing up every day, bringing that package to the park and utilizing it for the team every day is the challenge. I think he is up to it."

Yes, of course he is "up to it," Rick! Have you read everything Bernadina can do?

More to come.

Shark Vs The Competition

For some players, spring training is a time to dust off the rust, break in the glove, and readjust to the grind of daily baseball.  These players have their positions secured.  Players like Albert Pujols, Ryan Zimmerman, and Tim Wakefield know where they will be on opening day.   For other players, spring training is their chance to secure their position on a major league team.

Sadly, and somewhat ridiculously, the Shark is one of the players who will be fighting for his spot this spring.  You will recall that last year (and the year before, for that matter), he was in this same position.  Last year, he was battling Nyjer Mogan, then RicK AnKiel for the position.  While he did not win the competition last season (which cause several Nationals players to become psychologically and physically nauseous), he was called up in April, our long Nationals nightmare was over, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The battle kicks off again this spring, with the Shark battling several players for a position, including AnKiel, Jason Michaels, Brett Carroll, Xavier Paul?, and Mark DeRosa.  To the outside eye, this may seem worrisome, but the eye of a Shark, worry is not an option.  In fact, concern is not an option.  Pete Kerzel's article, Caught in a numbers crunch, Bernadina doesn't seem concerned talks about the different opportunities that the Shark has this spring, and how he's not worried about his chances.  After all, why should he be?

RicK AnKiel is an injury risk who strikes out more often than he gets hits.

Jason Michaels batted .199 last season.

Brett Carroll has a total of 5 home runs in his 5 seasons.

Xavier Paul.  I'm not sure if he actually exists.

Mark DeRosa has 1 home run in the last 2 seasons and is 10 years older than Bernadina.

Mike Cameron did challenge Bernadina, until he came face to face with the Shark this spring and retired

The Shark continues to have tremendous upside and a solid spring could keep him a National a while longer (which would be ideal for Tyler and I).  I expect a lot more people to toss in the towel this spring and plan for an early retirement.  The Shark has a tendency to scare off the weak of heart...

The Nats didn't bother to supply DeRosa with a spring training uniform

More to come.

Spring Shark 2012

WE'RE BACKKK!!!!

All across the MLB, pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training on Monday, and sharkingly, the Washington Nationals were no different.  Their pitchers, newbies Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson (who have yet to be nicknamed), join Jordan Zimmermanntastic and Stephen Strasburg, to create one of the more promising looking rotations in the National League.  Wilson "the Rhino" Ramos is ready to stampede the completion and be the National League' All Star Game starting catcher.

Most importantly, of course, THE SHARK IS BACK IN CAMP!

While it has been mostly pitchers and catchers that have reported to camp, the Shark, hungry for a starting position was one of the first position players in the Nationals camp.  Throughout the offseason, he spent his time conditioning, from the icy waters of the Arctic to the depths of the Mariana Trench.  Remember last season, when he was so bulked up, a flex of his bicep would tear to shreds the dopiest XXXL novelty hoodie?  Well imagine that again, only this time with more (if that's possible) fire in his eye.

I understand this post doesn't include much relevant information, but we have officially dusted off the keyboard on our computers and more posts will be written soon.  That's correct, we don't touch our computers at all in the off season, not even to respond to time sensitive materials.  That's over now.  We are back.

Before I go, I will leave you with this photo from Nationals Spring Training.  You can see the Rhino and Tyler Clippard running to keep up with Bernadina...who's running with a bat?

More to come.