Nationals sign Ron Villone
The Nationals re-signed 41-year-old left-handed reliever Ron Villone to a minor league contract that does not include an invite to major league camp, a team official confirmed. Villone last pitched in the majors in 2009 and spent all of 2010 at Class AAA Syracuse.
Villone has been something of a mentor to several Nationals players, and he's a person the team seems to like having around. The signing could set up an easy transition to move into either a coaching, scouting or front office role with the organization.
Last year, Villone went 2-5 with a 6.59 ERA in 41 appearances. He was the oldest player in all of minor league baseball.
By
Adam Kilgore
| March 10, 2011; 7:29 PM ET
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...and a 1.890 WHIP in Syracuse last year.
Seems unlikely they're hoping he can find a way to pitch for the Nats. Does "something of a mentor" translate to "wants to be a pitching coach someday?"
Posted by: gilbertbp | March 10, 2011 7:43 PM | Report abuse
Somebody must be hurt that they're not talking about. Either that or they're idiots. His fastball was gone 5 years ago.
Posted by: Brue | March 10, 2011 8:09 PM | Report abuse
Uh, Brue, did you miss the "mentoring" and "transitioning" part of the post?
Posted by: NatsFly | March 10, 2011 8:49 PM | Report abuse
I wonder what a 41 year old talks to the kids about on the bus rides.
Posted by: markfromark | March 11, 2011 6:53 AM | Report abuse
Markfromark-
He asks them about twittering and getting on the face-book. And Justice Beaver.
Posted by: natinbeantown | March 11, 2011 8:43 AM | Report abuse
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