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A Nationals treasure? Balester thinks so
December 23rd, 2008, 7:53 am · 9 Comments · posted by Earl Bloom, staff writer
A young Washington Nationals pitcher from Orange County has got Mark Teixeira fever.
Collin Balester, 22, said the first baseman could put a team that lost 102 games last season into the World Series.
Not just in it, winning it. In a four-game sweep.
Balester, from Huntington Beach High, was 3-7 with a 5.51 in 15 rookie starts for the Nationals last season. He made his prediction on a satellite radio show, “Minors and Majors with Grant Paulsen.” Washington reportedly has upped its offer to Teixeira to as much as $184 million. Balester said:
“If that happens it’s going to be a dream come true. That guy is a great player and if he comes to the nation’s capitol, watch out, we’re going to the World Series and we are winning it all. I’m calling it right now. We’re playing four games in the World Series, sweep, see ya!”
The enthusiasm of youth knows no bounds. But I remember when Angels fans, young and old, voiced the same sentiments.
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Hey Collin,
Get a winning record first, before you go touting off at the mouth. What a joke. As if one player can make up a 40 game deficit. Shows what the kid understands about baseball - and he’s already pitching in the show? Boy, has baseball digressed.
ANGELS DID NOT WIN IT WITH HIM !
Is not about one guy, is about 25 players working together, and getting to the post-season….
I could not think of a better place for him to waste away his career and count his cash everyday…….enjoy the Nats Tex….you will be a star.
Sure…Teixeira brings a long history of winning with him. Just look at those powerhouse Ranger teams…the Braves…and of course that killer Angels 2nd half and romp through the playoffs.
Seriously, he’s indeed a great player, but he’s been in the majors long enough so we all know he’s not carrying a team to victory after victory.
Before he got to Angel Stadium, he’d not played for a winner…and the Angels had a better record with Casey Kotchman at first than with Teixeira at first….and his awesome postseason was seven singles, one RBI and zero extra base hits. Not one gapper, no screamers into the corner…not a single fly ball off the Green Monster.
He’s a fabulous component to have, but he’s far from a savior…and far from worth more than $20 million/season.
Tex to NY for 8 yrs at $21.25mil per year…
TEX to Japan for 10 yrs at $35.79 mil per year…
Just heard on the radio that Tex has agreed to terms with the Yanks. Looks like Gary was right.
If you knew the Youngster Balester you would know he said those things ” tongue in Cheek”
Winning Record? With a bat like Tex’s who wouldn’t be excited. More runs equals more wins!!
In Balester’s 3 wins he gave up 1 run in each game.
He lost a 2-1 game to the Phillies and he lost a 6-1 lead ( No - Hitter through 5 2/3 innings) when the bullpen gave up 7 runs in the 8th inning against the Marlins. He also lost a game against the Giants when the bullpen let him down with the lead.. His record should have been 6 -3 with an era in the mid 4’s.
I looked these things up just to see what the “Real” facts were about your Home grown Balester. Lets not throw your Hometown boy under the bus so fast.