Honestly, worse than Angel Hernandez’s calls were Angel Hernandez’s act. In an era where every call can be analyzed and corrected, modern officiating — across sports — needs one thing above all else:

Humility. washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

Joining us next on The Junkies is Barry Svrluga from the The Washington Post.

STREAMING LIVE: go.audacy.com/thefandc/the-s…

Spent a day at Camden Yards. Always a treat. What a summer awaits for the young, poised Orioles. washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

There was a time when this move would have been unfathomable. And now, it only makes sense.

Jose Miranda, you have the right to strike out.

(I'll show myself out.)

The Nats have a decision when Lane Thomas comes back. Do they:

* DFA Victor Robles (.087/.267/.087) or Joey Gallo (.132/.282/.297)
* Option Jacob Young (.280/.338/.339)
* Option Joey Meneses (.227/.295/.276)

I say Meneses to AAA. Keeps more bodies in the org. Lets him reset.

Of the 267 players with at least 100 plate appearances, here are Keibert Ruiz’s ranks in avg., OBP and OPS: 262nd, 267th and 266th.

“I have to believe I can hit at this level.”

On a sickness and a slump that have been hard to shake. washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

When I showed Bryce Harper the picture that’s deeper in the below column, he said, “Oh, that? That’s what comes up on my phone when Joey calls me.”

On two longtime big leaguers who traveled all over the place playing ball — back to when they were 8 and 9. washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

Just … wow.

Victor Robles turns 27 on Sunday.

Why does he play like he’s 7? washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

Whatever decade you grew up in, you once knew what an ace looked like. Tom Seaver. Nolan Ryan. Pedro Martinez. Randy Johnson. Clayton Kershaw.

But after a year in which only five pitchers threw 200 innings, the question is: What even is an ace anymore? washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

Wait. James Wood hit his third homer in two days? And this one was off a lefty?

I’ll just leave this right here. washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

Pretty clear that Brandon Hyde respects CJ Abrams. He has twice gone to a lefty — including yanking iconic closer Craig Kimbrell — to face the Nats’ young shortstop.

The Nationals are above .500. James Wood mashed two homers at Class AAA today.

Say it with me: 'Call him up! Call him up!'

A column that includes a bunch of reasons why they're not -- but why it would be fun anyway.
washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

The Nationals stole four more bases Tuesday vs. the O's. They lead MLB with 61 swipes through 35 games.

That puts them on a(n unsustainable) pace to steal 282. Only one team since '96 has stolen 200 ('07 Mets). The Nats haven't swiped 61 in a 162-game season three times.

Wow.

“He’s a good player. He knows he’s a good player. Everyone knows he’s a good player. But he wants to be great.”

On CJ Abrams, the Nationals’ burgeoning star — and an effort to sign him to an extension. washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05…

“It was 100 percent a life-threatening crash.”

Mikaela Shiffrin’s season was interrupted by her boyfriend’s horrific accident, then her own crash. It ended with a win — and an engagement.

On a wild ride, and the road ahead. washingtonpost.com/sports/olympic…