Mike Wallace is a baseball lifer. He spent more than 40 years involved in the game he loves. Wallace was a major league pitcher with the Phillies, Yankees, Cardinals and Rangers. He served as a coach and scout, and now he’s in his second year as a baseball insider and the co-host with The Washington Examiner’s Phil Wood on “Nats Talk” seen each Saturday at 10 a.m. on MASN. Wallace also fills in on the Nationals’ radio postgame show when Wood is handling his television duties.
As someone who is a native of northern Virginia and grew up cheering for the Senators, Wallace is having the time of his life interacting with Nationals fans and seeing the rebirth of Washington as a baseball town.
What has impressed you most about this Nationals team?
Wallace » “Well, in spring training when manager Davey Johnson said that the team was going to make the playoffs, that line got the headlines. But Davey also said that he thought that the Nats had the best pitching staff in baseball, and I would have to agree with him. You win championships with pitching and defense, so it’s no coincidence that with Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler, the Nats are a real contender. You have five power arms that no one in baseball can match to go along with a deep bullpen. That is why Washington is in first place.”
What is the biggest topic that fans ask you about?
Wallace » “By far, it is the shutting down of Stephen Strasburg. Fans are really conflicted about this issue because they want him to be healthy for years to come. However, at the same time the Nationals are so close to winning a National League East title and going deep into the playoffs. No one wants to see [Strasburg] sit out.”
Is Washington returning to a baseball town?
Wallace » “Well, the Nationals are going to draw between 2.4 and 2.5 million fans this season. I give ownership a great deal of credit for keeping ticket prices low so a family of four can come out and watch this exciting team. Once the fans come to a game they fall in love with this team, and they want to come back. The bandwagon is gassed up, and there is plenty more room for a fun ride into October.”
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!, on washingtonexaminer.com.
