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Nationals around the horn: pitchers Date published: 4/1/2007 By TODD JACOBSON BY TODD JACOBSON WASHINGTON--Of all the labels that have trailed right-hander John Patterson during his winding path to the majors--from "dominant" and "can't-miss prospect" to "fragile" and "injury-prone"--he'll finally get the tag he really wants tomorrow: Opening Day starter. "It's always a goal," said Patterson, who will start opposite Marlins left-hander Dontrelle Willis when the Nationals open the 2007 season tomorrow at RFK Stadium. "I think if you ask any pitcher in here what day you want to pitch--Opening Day and Game One of the World Series--those are the games you want to pitch. Only 30 guys a year get to do it. It's an honor." And for Patterson, it's also a responsibility. In his 11th Spring Training, Patterson's not just a pitcher anymore. At 29 years old and with a 17-20 career record, he's the leader of a staff of five 20-somethings with 44 career wins between them. He's not just a teammate. He's a mentor to younger players like rookie Matt Chico, who will make his first career big league start two days after Patterson takes his first turn on Opening Day. "He has set an example out there," Nationals pitching coach Randy St. Claire said. "He's important to this team in more ways than one." In that way, this spring has been different than any other during Patterson's decade in organized baseball. For the first time in his career, he's an undisputed No. 1 starter. Sure, he's had to answer nagging questions about his health the same as he always has. He enjoyed a breakout year with the Nationals in 2005, but the sequel was a disappointment: He went 1-2 with a 4.43 ERA in just eight starts last season and needed surgery in July to repair a nerve in his right forearm. But when the Nationals opened Spring Training nearly seven weeks ago, Livan Hernandez was gone, having been traded last August to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tony Armas Jr. and Ramon Ortiz had left via free agency. Patterson, 29, was the only sure thing in the Nationals' rotation, and it's a responsibility he's taken seriously.
Date published: 4/1/2007
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