Bulletin: Vilsack Drops Out of Race for Nationals Rotation
Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack announced at a news conference in Viera, Fla., that he was ending his candidacy to fill one of the Nationals' four open rotation spots.
Vilsack, 56, entered the race for the rotation as part of President Stan W. Kasten's "surge" of 21,500 arms into training camp. But despite being the popular two-term ex-governor of a state with five major-league clubs on its borders, Vilsack never picked up much traction against early frontrunners Tim Redding, Matt Chico, Jerome Williams, and Shawn Hill.
In his remarks, Vilsack cited the every-increasing velocity and number of pitches a starter must throw to be considered competitive even months before the season begins. Vilsack had only two pitches: a 55-mph fastball, and an offspeed pitch he threw underhand.
"I came up against something for the first time in my life where hard work and effort couldn't overcome," Vilsack told Reuters. "I just couldn't work any harder, couldn't give any greater effort and it just wasn't enough."
He said he would continue to stay engaged in Nationals issues. "I am leaving one campaign, but I am not saying goodbye. I will continue to fight for the outsiders and underdogs who are the backbone of the Nationals."
4 Comments
Leave a comment
Our Leaders
Department of Commerce
Pennants
Proud to Sponsor
What's AL tippin the scales at these days? 240? Looked a little chunky to take a turn on the mound....
Dwight Eisenhower used to tell about a childhood friend, whose ambition was to be President of the United States. Eisenhower's was to be a professional baseball player, and "neither one of us got what we wanted."
No word on whether Al Gore will report to Viera in the near future? The only thing better than winning an Oscar is winning a pennant (actually winning the White House tops both).
I laughed my butt off so hard I got a Jesus Colome and had to stop.