Seven Run Defeat Gives Team Confidence in Bid to Be Worst Team in Baseball

WASHINGTON - Predicted to lose as many as 120 games this season, the Washington Nationals proved Monday that they may have the (in)ability to reach a historic level of futility.

Ace pitcher John Patterson (pictured above) lasted only three innings as the Florida Marlins cruised to a 9-2 victory at RFK Stadium.

The team, which is relying on inexperienced youngsters and unpolished journeyman, received an unexpected boost in its bid for major league's worst when Center Fielder Nook Logan left the game with an injury and shortstop Christian Guzman injured his left hamstring.

Chances of being the worst team in baseball history could be derailed by 3B Ryan Zimmerman, a UVA graduate who went 2-4 in his season debut and is without question the best everyday starter on the Nationals roster.

I was half expecting the Nationals to trot out "Wild Thing" Rick Vaughn on Opening Day. The 2007 Nationals have all the makings of a live action remake of Major League, except without the dramatic late season comeback, Corbin Bernsen, and Bob Uecker.

Wild Thing Rick Vaughn [ YouTube]

Major League AMEX Commercial [YouTube]