Craig Heist, wtop.com
VIERA, Fla. – The last thing I would ever want to do is complain (okay, that’s a lie), but when all of us got to Space Coast stadium today at 8 a.m., it was 40 degrees.
Not a problem normally at this time of the year in D.C., but I’m in central Florida.
For those dealing with the back end of winter in D.C., I present to you some not-so-happy Washington Nationals ballplayers who are also dealing with “winter” in the Sunshine State this weekend.
“It feels like the end of the world right now,” said Nats pitcher and Miami native Gio Gonzalez. “The way it’s feeling, it’s crazy. When you get this kind of element, you go from sunny Florida to the fact it’s freezing right now.”
When it was brought to his attention he would be viewed as a whiner to the fans back home, Gio said, “bring it on.”
“I still get that to this day. That’s fine. I’ll whine til I die right there. It’s Cold!”
“I didn’t think I’d say I would be cold in Florida after coming from Maryland but I’m definitely saying it this morning,” said Nats utility man, Steve Lombardozzi.
“I’m just trying to stay warm,” said Syracuse manager Tony Beasley, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and jacket. “Florida is a different kind of cold. If I was 43 degrees in Virginia, I’d be okay but for some reason 43 in Florida feels like 23.”
Nats pitcher Craig Stammen said he knew there will be no sympathy from the fans in D.C.
“They are probably looking for flurries and snow and below freezing weather there, but when you get used to 80 degree weather and it gets down to 55, you don’t like it.”
“This is not the most conducive baseball weather today,” said Nats relief pitcher and Florida native, Tyler Clippard. “I’m not used to this and I’m not real thrilled right now.
Yes, we are not the best at sucking it up and playing, but as many players say about the complaining, it is what it is.
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