Maybe now "day-to-day" won't mean "trip to the DL" in 2009.

 

"I know I speak for the entire organization in recognizing Dr. Shaffer's invaluable contributions to our players' welfare and his orthopedic expertise. His departure is a real loss for our organization."
(Jim Bowden, via Washington Nationals Press Release, 10/14/2008)

Sayonara, Shaffer. Stan Kasten next?

The official word came down from the Nationals today that Dr. Ben Shaffer, Nationals Medical Director and Team Orthopedist, has resigned as team doctor.

Somewhere, tears are being shed by Chad Cordero's shoulder, Elijah Dukes' calf, Wily Mo Pena's shoulder, Nick Johnson's wrist, Ryan Zimmerman's shoulder, Ronnie Belliard's finger, and every other "day-to-day" diagnosis that turned into an extended trip to the DL.

Meanwhile...

• Finally, some interesting news about the Nationals this offseason:Ryan Wagner hit a hole in one at a golf tournament back home in Texas.

• Lots of people took Metro to Nationals Park this year. But Marc Fisher says the math doesn't add up: 1.8 million is not 53 percent of 2.32 million or something. The good news is, the parking situation didn't require any of our proposed solutions.

• Brevard County Florida officials are "prioritizing" a list of $557,000 in improvements to Space Coast Stadium requested by the Nationals. No word if Ted Lerner will pay rent if the county decides to not to pony up for things like the $25,000 to fix "fourth-floor window tint". Also, it appears that the special ball shagging area for Mark Lerner reported by Nationals Enquirer staff some weeks ago is not on the official punch list under consideration.

• Sadly, another Nats blog bites the dust: Misschatter is gone. End of an era. She'll be sorely missed. Hopefully, we're next!

(Photo of clown doctor by bbc.co.uk.)

Comments

[Senor Pena]

Mi hombro siente mejor ya.

[Nicky J]

Say it ain't so Shaffer, say it ain't so... We spent so much time together, I'll miss you. You were like a second should sling to me...

[harper Gordek]

Hey, If anyone is getting off this crazy train next it's ol' OMG!

[The Nationals Enquirer]

Harper -- you can't get off next, you're driving the damn thing...