O'Bombers New Coaching Staff Team Notes
- by Dave Magadan
(2/16/09) With only 5 days until the draft the D.C. O'bombers have FINALLY decided on a new Manager. In a news conference this morning owner Jamie Landsman announced that Gary Carter has signed a 3 year contract to take on the role. "It's a great day for the people of D.C. and for our organization" Landsman stated. Mr carter indicated that he was anxious to get to know the players and to get to spring training. Mr. Carter also announced his coaching staff.

Mike Piazza - Hitting Coach
Ron Darling - Pitching Coach
Bench Coach - Tug McGraw

It has also been announced that Mookie Wilson has been retained as speed and conditioning coach. This is a curious move as Landsman fired the rest of the coaching staff after their terrible performance in the first round of the playoffs last year. When asked about this Landsman had this to say: "Hey I watched Mookie when I was growing up and I've always been a fan. We didn't suffer a ton of injuries last year. We had our fair share but over the course of a season guys are going to get nicked up. Mookie is a professional and gets these guys ready to play physically. It is the managers job to then get them to perform on the field. To blame Mookie for their lack of performance would be unfair."

When asked if he had any particular strategy for the draft Landsman stated that their are a number of players that D.C. has their eye on but it is impossible to predict what might happen.

"The only thing for certain is the 1st and 2nd pick overall. After that the owners can be pretty unpredictable. Someone could draft an ineligible prospect 3rd overall, or a 40 year old relief pitcher with a big name who used to be good but now has a 1.65 WHIP. You never know with these guys. We have the second pick in round 2 and feel like some guys could drop that we have valued as first rounders. We don't want to give too much away but we can say that we are looking to the future. making the playoffs is very well and good but if we want our team to get to the next level we need to start making some changes."

It's going to be interesting to see how things work out for D.C. this year. They have already shaken things up by getting rid of some of the guys who have contributed to their success in the past. A lot of the trades they have made are risky and depend on guys having bounce back years. However, if they work out D.C. will be a force to be rekoned with in years to come. The only thing for certain is that Landsman will do anything he can to make it interesting. The rest is up to the software.

Change hits D.C.
- by Dave Magadan
(11/12/08)Today it was learned that following a disapointing season in which the Bushslappers were swept in the first round of the playoffs, owner Jamie Landsman has fired his entire coaching staff and changed the name of the team. According to sources close to Mr. Landsman the team will now be known as the D.C. O-Bombers. When we asked our source why owner Jamie Landsman fired everyone he simply said "it was time for a change." One witness described the firing of Kevin Elster "he just went nuts. I mean the dude is off his rocker. All he kept saying was "not one f$%#ing game! you couldn't win one f$%#ing playoff game!" I thought he was going to beat the hell out of him ..."

In other team news the O-Bombers aquired P Todd Wellemeyer from Marrietta for a 7th round pick in 2010 and Hideki Matsui from the Sugar Bears for a 6th pick and Ramon Vasquez. The O-Bombers have some good draft picks and should be well positioned for a playoff run. Now if they could just win a playoff series, that would be change.

A Sad Day in D.C.
- by Dave Magadan
(4/30/07) "Today is a sad day for the Bushslappers orginization. Josh was a valuable player and more importantly a friend."

This was the message from Jamie Landsman this morning a day after Josh Hancock was killed in a horrific auto accident that left his SUV mangled.

After they got the news the team dug down for a 17 ining marathon victory over Marrietta on Sunday with the dead Hancock getting the victory.

Of the irony Owner Landsman had the following comment ... "Spooky. Now if only our live guys could get some wins we might get somewhere."

He wasn't on the team long but after speaking to his teammates and coaches I get the sense that Josh will live on in them.

Goodbye Josh Hancock. We'll see you in that strike zone in the sky.

While at the complex I also had the opportunity to talk to Kevin Elster or K-El as his players call him about the somewhat unexpected start and the performance of some of the Bushslappers key players.

Magadan: Rough day huh Kev.

Elster: Yeah it's sad around here. Kind of makes you appreciate what you have.

Magadan: What do you think abou the performance of the team so far?

Elster: I think it has been lousy. We're 18-28 and in last place. Our lineup can't seem to hit and our pitching has been suspect also. All in all I think that the expectations have gone to the heads of some of the players. We need to get back to basics.

Magadan: What are some of the unexpected problems that have happened so far?

Elster: Where do you want me to start? Let's see. I guess I didn't expect Matt Holiday to be batting .198 at this point in the season. ummmm didn't expect Reyes to hit .229 or Beltran to hit .223 either. We've switched around the lineup and sat guys and given them every opportunity. They need to figure it out and quickly. On the pitching side I guess you could say that it's a little shocking that Arroyo has a 7.15 ERA and 6 losses. Perhaps even more shocking than that ...and you can call me crazy, is that Sanchez has a sub 3 ERA and is 1 and 5. I don't get it. It just doesn't make sense.

Magadan: What are saome positives you have seen so far?

Elster: The Castillo Kent Platoon is working out better than we could have ever hoped for. That in combination with the emergence of John Maine has been very encouraging. I am a still a new manager. Other managers have consistantly advised me to stay the course and that things eventually work themselves out. I hope they're right or it could wind up being another lottery year for us.

Magadan: All the best. I'll check back again in the second half.

Elster: Thanks for the good wishes. Maybe Josh will put in a good word for us also.

D.C. Bushslappers Open Spring Camp
- by Dave Magadan
(2/27/06) Here we are again folks. The spring has begun and we are headed for another great baseball season. I recently grabbed my wiener and nuts and headed to Delray Beach, FL to meet with The D.C. Bushslappers new manager Kevin Elster and speak with him about the upcoming season.

Magadan: What do you think of your chances this year?

Elster: I have to tell you we have a lot of talent on this team. I'm looking forward to a competitive season. From what I've seen so far these guys have a lot of hustle and if that carries over to the regular season I think we'll be ok. We are viewing this as a rebuilding year. We realize that we have some limitations but we've drafted some good prospects. We're just taking it one day at a time, and the good lord willing things will work out.

Magadan: Tell me a little about the new owner Jamie Landsman.

Elster: He's not only extremely handsome but a powerful man. I could tell from the moment I met him he was someone to reckon with and he will accept nothing but excellence.

Magadan: What do you think about the new team name? Do you believe it's disrespectful to our nation?

Elster: Hey, I try not to get into politics too much but I'll tell you this. I don't like the guy. I didn't like him when he owned the Rangers and I don't like him now. He's a bumbling idiot. Bumbling idiots deserve a good slap.

Magadan: There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Kris Benson's wife. Do you think she'll be a distraction?

Elster: I believe morale is extremely important throughout the year. The bottom line is that hot women raise morale period. I don't see how having her around could ever hurt.

Magadan: Some of the scouts have been reporting that Glavin is looking a little long in the tooth. Any response?

Elster: Our Pitching coach Frank Viola has been working with him daily. Glav is a professional and he'll get in his work. Our trainer is stocking the cooler with Ensure to help get him those essential nutrients. Hopefully we'll be able to get a full year out of him.

Magadan: You mentioned Frank Viola. Are there any other coaching positions you would like to announce?

Elster: Actually, yes. Our hitting coach will be Howard Johnson, Speed and Conditioning will be Mookie Wilson, & Timmy Teufel will be the bench coach. These guys are nothing but professional and bring a lot of knowledge and experience to the team.

Magadan: Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. Good luck in the upcoming season.

Elster: Thanks, we're going to need it.