Neither of Washington's Gold Glove finalists took home awards last night...
Nationals' shortstop Ian Desmond was up for the Gold Glove that went to Atlanta Braves' shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
Thank you everyone for the support. Andrelton deserved that GG he's a great young player and I'm glad I get to watch him play.
— Ian Desmond (@IanDesmond20) October 30, 2013
Denard Span thought he had a chance in center, but praised the work of Milwaukee Brewers' center fielder Carlos Gomez, who took home the award.
Like I said b4 I won no matter what in my mind and heart! Congrats to my ex teammate Carlos Gomez for an incredible season... #illbebacktho
— Denard Span (@thisisdspan) October 30, 2013
Nats' prospect Matt Purke was named the Arizona Fall League's Pitcher of the Week though!
Congrats to #Nats LHP Matt Purke, AFL Pitcher of the Week & OF Brian Goodwin, selected to the annual Fall Stars game: http://t.co/ccotwEMy5F
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) October 29, 2013
But he then went out and got knocked around for the first time four AFL starts last night. It was an up and down day in NatsTown, where not a lot happened on Tuesday. What did happen? Links to follow, starting... RIGHT NOW!!:
• THE BIG STORY:
• "The only organization to feature a prospect at a short-season level as its top earner, Washington might receive contributions from Giolito as soon as 2015 if he remains healthy." - The Future Is Now: Top Farm Systems Poised To Deliver Near-Term Value - BaseballAmerica.com
• NATS BEAT - Neither Desmond Or Span Get Gold:
• "'I don't know what word to use. I definitely felt that I did enough to win,' Span said via telephone." - "Nationals center fielder Denard Span disappointed to miss out on Gold Glove" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Ian Desmond and Denard Span lost out on their bids to win their first Gold Glove awards for their respective positions." - "Ian Desmond, Denard Span lose bids for Gold Glove awards" - James Wagner, Washington Post
• "Superb defensive seasons by Denard Span and Ian Desmond weren’t quite superb enough to earn baseball’s highest fielding honor." - "Washington Nationals Ian Desmond and Denard Span don’t win Gold Gloves" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
• "Center fielder Denard Span and shortstop Ian Desmond, both named as finalists for Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at their respective positions, came up short in the voting." - "Nationals Pastime: Span, Desmond come up short in Gold Glove voting" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):
Genuine peace is based on inner peace, because you cannot build peace on the basis of anger.
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 18, 2013
• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
• "Machado’s 35 defensive runs saved were the best among all American League fielders and set a record for the highest total at his position, topping Ryan Zimmerman's 25 defensive runs saved for the Washington Nationals in 2009." - "Thoughts and observations on the Gold Gloves, Fielding Bible, pitching coach search and Eduardo Rodriguez" - Eduardo A. Encina, Baltimore Sun
• "I expect the Nationals to bounce back in 2014, but you might not want to take that to the bank, considering my track record where Washington is concerned." - "The Lineup Card: 15 Things We Were Wrong About This Year" - Ben Linbergh, Baseball Prospectus
• Nats' Prospects/Arizona Fall League:
• "How Purke fares for the Arizona Fall League's Mesa Solar Sox will determine where he will pitch in 2014." - "Making strides, Matt Purke named AFL Pitcher of Week" - Don Ketchum, nationals.com: News
• "Matthew’s command is a little more crisp than it was during the regular season, which enables him to utilize his secondary stuff." - Doug Harris - "Arizona Fall League, Week 3 (10.22–28)" - Mike Feigen, Curly W Live
• "A couple of Nationals have been close to earning the honor this month, but Matt Purke is the first to break through." - "Purke named AFL Pitcher of the Week" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "AFL Update: Oct. 30, 2013" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com
• "Salt River became the first team to score an earned run, much less multiple runs, against Mesa left-hander Matt Purke." - "Cardinals' James Ramsey's effort extends Rafters' streak" - Teddy Cahill, MLB.com: News
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Phillies: "2013 Phillies Report Card: J.C. Ramirez" - Bill Baer, Crashburn Alley
• Mets: "'I think three of the starting pitchers we’re very pleased with,' Wilpon said, referring to Jon Niese, Dillon Gee and Zack Wheeler." - "Jeff Wilpon: Few sure things as Mets head into offseason" - Dan Martin, New York Post
• Braves: "You’d have to say that the Atlanta Braves’ shorstop won it on merit, given that he just had – pause for effect – the greatest defensive season In 107 years." - "Andrelton Simmons: Yes, he's the great defender" - Mark Bradley | www.ajc.com
• Marlins: "Colin Moran is the Miami Marlins' lone representative on the 2013 Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game that pits the best and brightest in top prospects." - "Marlins prospects: Colin Moran featured in AFL Fall Stars Game" - Michael Jong, Fish Stripes
More from Federal Baseball:
Wire Taps: No Gold Gloves For Nationals; Love For Nats' Prospect Matt Purke
Nationals' Ian Desmond And Denard Span Finalists For Gold Gloves
Wire Taps: Nationals' Prospect Brian Goodwin In AFL Fall Stars Game Saturday
AFL Update: MLB.com On Nationals' Prospects Brian Goodwin And Matt Purke
The Starting Nine: Nationals Links; Rumors; Info