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Nationals introduce Paul Lo Duca, Lastings Milledge Date published: 12/12/2007 By RICH CAMPBELL BY RICH CAMPBELL WASHINGTON--Paul Lo Duca and Lastings Milledge made their first public appearances as members of the Washington Nationals yesterday, and general manager Jim Bowden used the occasion to profess, for the first time, his belief that the Nationals are equipped to become a winning team next season. "We're ready to start winning," Bowden said. "We're opening a new ballpark, and it's time to win." Bowden made his proclamation at a downtown news conference at which Lo Duca and Milledge were introduced. Earlier in the day, Lo Duca finalized a one-year, $5 million contract to be the Nationals' starting catcher. Lo Duca and Milledge, who were teammates with the New York Mets during the last two seasons, flanked Bowden as the cameras flashed. Together, they symbolized Washington's reasons for hope after three straight losing seasons since baseball returned here. In Lo Duca, the Nationals have a four-time all-star whose veteran presence will be counted on to instill a culture of winning, Bowden said. In Milledge, Washington has a young, talented outfielder who could be an impact player into the next decade. "It's time for our young players to develop, and it's time for them to know how to play the game," Bowden said. "It's important that when you have a young club that's building, you surround them with veteran players that have won, that know how to win, that are all about winning." The theme of the day was winning, something the Nationals have not become accustomed to. Following last-place finishes in 2005 and 2006, they finished 73-89 and in fourth place last season. Management considered that a success after widespread preseason predictions for a historically bad season. The upcoming season is particularly critical for the Nationals, as they begin play in their $611 million downtown ballpark. Fans hope that the stadium will increase team revenue, which would in turn impel management to increase payroll and improve the quality of players on the team. Fielding a winning team in 2008 would be considered a huge step. Lo Duca hasn't been on a losing team since his second year in the majors, when he played 36 games for a Los Angeles Dodgers team that finished eight games below .500 in 1999.
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