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The official Travis Lee update thread
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 2:35 am
by Three34
Several weeks ago, while still in the Nationals' Minor league camp, first baseman Dmitri Young vowed that he would be on the team's 25-man roster. He kept that promise, as his competitor, Travis Lee, requested and received his unconditional release on Sunday.
Lee told general manager Jim Bowden that he no longer had the passion to play the game.
"During the conversation, [Travis] explained to me that it was a difficult decision for him, but he didn't have the passion to play the game anymore," Bowden said. "He felt that way last year, and he hoped it could be rekindled this year. But his passion to play has not come back. As he looked around our clubhouse and saw the amount of passion that the players have, he realized that it was in the best interest for him at this time to give up baseball."
A source close to Lee said the left-handed-hitting first baseman felt he didn't have a chance to make the team because Young is a switch-hitter and that the organization likes prospect Kory Casto at first base. Lee was 8-for-30 (.267) with a home run and seven RBIs this spring.
Asked if Lee was retiring, the source said, "I don't know."
Lee, 31, has played nine years in the big leagues, hitting .256 with 115 home runs and 488 RBIs. His best years were with the Diamondbacks and Phillies.
Young was shocked when told by reporters that Lee had quit. It means that Young will be the everyday first baseman, while Robert Fick will remain the backup.
"It's sad to hear that Lee feels that way. I think he would have made a great addition," Young said. "You have to tip your hat to Travis Lee for having a fine career."
I particularly like this bit:
he didn't have the passion to play the game anymore," Bowden said. "He felt that way last year
Oooh, it didn't show.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:38 am
by WashWiz54
I'm really glad we got rid of that loser. He was terrible for you guys last year, and how he even made it on the feild is a question I still have yet to find a good answer for. Now Dimitri is our starter which makes is a sigh of relief.
Well good luck D'Rays! You were my first love before DC got their team so I'm still going to root for ya'll.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:39 am
by Three34
Travis Lee was a picking machine. He also used to have some vague power, and could walk. It's just the whole hitting .200 and trying to get above .100 with RISP that he struggled with.
They released him for Kevin Witt. Heh.
Speaking of which, Witt needs an update thread.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:44 am
by The Explorer
Why aren't you moderating this board?
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:44 am
by Three34
I don't know. Help me right that.
Who IS Cage, anyway?
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:52 am
by The Explorer
At least OldSchoolBball, i think he was the only other one posting in your thread.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:54 am
by OSBB
zomig wrote:At least OldSchoolBball, i think he was the only other one posting in your thread.
recommend us
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:56 am
by Three34
Didn't you get suspended once? That won't bode well. I'm a freakin' angel, of course, and have been over 16,000 times.
But I'd vote for you if you ever stood for anything important.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:57 am
by OSBB
Sham wrote:Didn't you get suspended once? That won't bode well. I'm a freakin' angel, of course, and have been over 16,000 times.
But I'd vote for you if you ever stood for anything important.
I've been suspended 3 times.
Let's nominate each other.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:58 am
by Three34
No, better yet, let's get someone with some clout to do it. Go touch up BBJ or someone.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 4:02 am
by OSBB
Sham wrote:No, better yet, let's get someone with some clout to do it. Go touch up BBJ or someone.
I don't wanna bug the guy.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 5:06 am
by kg2005
Oh hell, I'll do it.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 11:33 am
by Three34
No, I said "clout".
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:40 pm
by kg2005
Recommendation removed.
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 3:41 pm
by Three34
Posted: Mon Apr 2, 2007 4:15 pm
by OSBB
kg2005 wrote:Oh hell, I'll do it.
Thanks.