The chances of Chad Cordero re-signing with the Nats were slim, even with Jim Bowden gone. He signed with the Mariners last night, and even if Nats fans probably expected it, it's a bittersweet feeling.
Chad Cordero's high-wire act made every game interesting. Even when he was throwing well, it always seemed to be an adventure. But more often than not, the flat-brimmed closer got it done.
He emerged as one of the earliest faces of the franchise when the Nats moved to D.C. in 2005. His round body, wide smile, and straight brim gave him a signature look. And his nickname, "The Chief", fit in perfectly in a city where the nick is shared with the other big guy in town.
Cordero pitched his heart out in 2005. The offensively challenged Nats rarely had big leads, and it seemed like he was nailing down a close game night after night after night.
He had many memorable appearances that season on his way to 47 saves. A night after the pine tar game against the Angels -- where Frank Robinson got reliever Brendan Donnelly kicked out for having a glob of tar on his pitching hand, resulting in Frank dressing down Mike Scioscia -- Cordero found himself on the mound with a 1-0 lead.
Facing the heart of the Angels order, Cordero loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Worse, during one of the pitches, he tripped, stumbling forward off the mound as the ball trickled in the general direction of the plate.
But he had 'em right where he wanted 'em. Houdini would've been proud: strikeout, flyout, strikeout. Up in the booth, Charlie Slowes bellowed out a "Bang! Zoom!", and all seemed right with the world.
He was never the same after that. The heavy workload caught up with him, and he broke down at the end of the next few seasons.
Last year, he could barely pitch. It was clear he wasn't right as he lobbed 80-mph meatballs towards the plate, and a few games into his season, the team shut him down.
It was a sad ending for someone who gave Nats fans so much happiness during that magical 2005 season.
Here's to hoping he's got a few more high-wire saves in that arm.
Chris Needham used to write Capitol Punishment. As far as he's concerned, the Khalil Greene grand slam never happened.
