Ode to Nyjer Morgan a.ka. Tony Plush and the Polar Bear, Eric Hinske

Despite being picked off 10 out of 28 steal attempts, one of the most exciting thing is seeing Nyjer steal 2nd. He loves to slide and get all dirty w/ his trade mark chew stain all over his jersey.

Another view of Morgan on 3rd -- notice his tall socks!! We like tall socks!

Morgan is very speedy -- this is Tony Plush sitting on 3rd trying to score
for the Bucs!

This is T-Plush and Little Andy doing during their pre-game warm-up stretches. Okay, a bit of a side bar here. . . but doesn't little Andy look good?! Oh, and we love the alternate "P" jeresies!

This is a shot of Morgan at the plate during Spring Training. Nyjer's walk-up music is "Blow the whistle" As he walks up, he's sort of dancing as he steps up to to the plate. He digs in and w/ that wide stance, he continues to do his little dancing bobble as he awaits the pitch. He really is swinging to
the music in his head!

This was Nyjer being introduced during Open Day at PNC

Wow, it's been a really busy day for Uncle's Neil and Frank! First we open the door the our old friends the Yankees when they come-a-calln' for a right handed bat. And next, the Nationals finally wore us down like a really bad want-a-be prom date. After much haggling, we wrapped up and shipped Utility Man Eric Hinske, Left Fielder Nyjer Morgan and Relief Pitcher Sean Burnett all w/ big red bows and a nice card attached to their respective buyers.

Now Burnett I'm not really too sad over. Yeah, he has turned his crap around lately by being a rather decent 1 out guy. But Sean, really can ya try to wear your hat stright in Washington? He always had that "deer caught in the head lights" look about him. As the other half of My Favorite Laroche likes to say, "he's caughtn' flies" w/ his mouth hanging all open.

I wasn't even to bothered to see sweet Hinske gone. If you're wondering why I called him a polar bear, well, in a between innings Q & A blurb one of the questions was some thing like if you were an animal which one would you be. Well, Mr. Eric promply proclaimed he would be a polar bear cuz of his size. I liked his imagination so his nickname has stuck w/ me.

But sweet polar bear hasn't really been as productive as what was thought he'd be. He signed a 1 year deal as he came into spring training; battleing w/ others for a roster spot as a bench player. He did win it, but hasn't done much else since. Yeah, he's made a few good defensive plays and had a few quality at bats, but the power's just not there and he's left alot of runners stranded. So, I'm glad Neil pulled the trigger and moved Eric to open up a spot for who else. . . but sweet Garrett Jones! I'll comment later on Jones cuz he deserves his own post! But I'll tease ya w/ he's darn tan and HOOOOT! He makes minor league tall pants look extremely good!

But the move that stuns me the most is Nyjer Morgan. I've been a fan ever since he was called up last season when Xaiver Nady was hurt. I remember seeing him and wondering why his uni. didn't fit him right. His hat was huge on him and his pants just hung off of him. But he has grown into his big league clothes this season! He may not be that good at the plate, he is above avg. in defense. And what he lacks in offense, he makes up in character! He's just sooo much fun to watch. He loves to enteract w/ the crowd in left center field. And his playful attitude seemed to be infectious throughout the ball club. I loved to see him chest bump the Pirate Parrot as he would run out for pre-game warm ups and as he took the field for the first inning. Sweet Tony Plush got his name cuz during and interview, he made the comment that "my gentlemen's name is Tony Plush." That nickname has really caught on w/ the fan base. Hopefully the fans in D.C. will appreciate T-Plush as much as we here in the Burg have.

I'm not sure about the players the Bucs recieved in return, but I'm willing to give them all the benefit of the doubt. After all, Uncle Neil's last trade has seemed to work out well so far. And again, not only do we get to see Garrett Jones in Pirate's black and gold, but after tomorrow we will see Jeff Salazar in left field as well. He's another spring training, minor league free agent signee that has smoked AAA. Tomorrow's game will be interesting to say the least.

Now a few T-Plush pictures for you viewing enjoyment!