Is it all coming together at last for the Washington Nationals in 2012? It looks that way — if catchers stop dropping like Spinal Tap drummers, at least. Photographer and Nats loyalist Cheryl Nichols talked to us on May 18th about Icy Hot, Andre Ethier, and her detente with Davey Johnson.

Sarah D. Bunting: Who’s your favorite new acquisition in the 2012 season?

Cheryl Nichols: Without a doubt, the best acquisition from the off-season is Gio Gonzalez. I was happy with the trade with the A’s, however, was a little leery about giving up four of the Nats’ top prospects for him. I thought that three of those four and someone else would have been fair. Gonzalez has pitched fantastic so far this season and is also a fan favorite due to his smile and optimistic outlook.

Our A’s correspondent said GG was the one he was sorriest to see go, so it’s nice to see he’s appreciated on the other end of the deal. Heh. Who’s your least favorite new Nat?

I have noticed on Twitter that A’s fans are still very supportive of Gio so I think that says a lot about him as a person, as well as player.

My least favorite new Nat is relief pitcher Ryan Perry from the Detroit Tigers. Nats gave up Collin Balester, who is a much better pitcher. Perry has struggled.

Anyone you were glad to see go? Who’s been the best departure for you guys?

Nats really didn’t lose too many so there’s not one who stands out.

So there wasn’t anyone you were sad to see go either.

Well, I was personally sad to see Pudge go. Was hoping he’d be back for one more year. I think he really helped the Nats’ young catchers Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores last year. Besides, it would have been nice to have him here now considering Ramos is most likely out for the season.

Also sad to see Tommy Milone go in the Gio trade. He would have been the one I’d have held onto if possible. Think he’s got great potential. Livan Hernandez was a fan favorite and a long-time National, so that was tough too.

Aw. Great-Uncle Livan.

Livo was also very entertaining.

Never a dull moment with the old man.

He once said that Strasburg’s change-up was faster than his fastball. Very true. LOL.

Hee. What’s your biggest worry for the team in 2012?

INJURIES! The Nationals have been plagued with injuries before; however, this season is getting out of hand. Started with key players like Morse, Storen and Zimmerman on DL. Zim back, but now Ramos, Werth, DeRosa join them.

Catchers alone!

And poor Sandy Leon. Called up from AA for his MLB debut, gets one at-bat and then lands on DL.

The Nats gave up Derek Norris to A’s in the Gio trade so I’m guessing a trade will happen before long. We have faith in Flores as a starter, though.

Nats need another catcher for sure. There is a surplus of starting pitchers.

I’m sure Pudge is like, “You know what, no thanks. I don’t want my arms to fall off.”

I bet Pudge would come back in a heartbeat. He really wanted to reach 3000 hits, but no one signed him so he retired. Maybe he is settled in retirement now. Maybe not…

The Mets would take him. Our catchers are under fire as well. And he’s got to hit better than Ike has.

I’m sure he’d take calls.

Hell, put him in the bullpen. SEND HELP. …Where do you see Washington finishing in the standings? I think they might top the division this year.

I’m always overly optimistic when it comes to predicting standings and say Nats every year, mostly dreaming. I would agree with you that they might actually finish in first! They are winning with so many key players on the DL, so ideally they will even be better when Morse and Storen return.

I think we’ll both agree that it is nice to see the Phillies in last place in the division.

It is. Too bad the Mets have dibs on that.

Mets are doing better than expected though. Keep the faith!

They were last year, too. I love them, but I also am realistic about our “bullpen.” …Who do you think takes the brass ring this year? Who’s going to the World Series? (Hint: not a team from Flushing, heh.)

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rangers be the AL team again this year. They are a strong team. I would love to see Rangers v. Nationals in the World Series and the Nats win. Is that realistic? Possibly. Think the second half of the season will be interesting for the Nats with a “healthy” team. If not the Nats, I think it would be the Dodgers facing the Rangers and Texas finally wins.

Dodgers, eh? Hmm. (Nobody else has mentioned them as possibilities yet, which is a bit surprising, now that I think about it.)

Matt Kemp is ridiculous, but on the DL for now. Kemp and Ethier are lethal.

Ethier is one of two things on my fantasy team that doesn’t make me want to scream.

New ownership seemed to have already made a difference in L.A. Stan Kasten is a wizard.

I’m happy for Don Mattingly. I didn’t think he was as mediocre a manager as the circumstances were making it appear. He may be, but good for him anyway. Heh. And speaking of the Dodgers: any pleasant surprises so far this season? Could be Nat-related; doesn’t have to be.

Hmmm, well, I have Ethier on my fantasy team too so that has been a pleasant surprise.

[high five] I also have Kerry Wood, so. So that’s been…a thing.

Well, you won’t have him after today. Poor Kerry Wood.

My fantasy pen is like a goddamn crime scene.

Pleasant surprise for the Nats I think is Chad Tracy. He’s been absolutely fantastic off of the bench. Some would say “clutch.” And some hate that word. Ha ha.

Heh. Any un-pleasant surprises? And I don’t mean whatever found its way into Strasburg’s jock. Hee. (Poor kid.)

Ah yes, don’t think he’ll ever hear the end of Icy Hot stories. Danny Espinosa struggling at the plate has been tough to watch. I know that he’d got it in him. He started to come out of his slump this week. Hope that continues.

It was also tough to see John Lannan sent to AAA. He has been with the team so long and was the “ace.” Having too many good starting pitchers is a good problem to have. Except for guys like Lannan. He has struggled in Syracuse too so I guess Davey made right call with keeping Detwiler in the rotation.

This is a fun one for me, since Davey was “my” manager growing up with the ’80s Mets: If you could tell the manager one thing, what would it be?

Hmmmm, only one thing? Ha ha. That is a tough one. I feel like I had so many things I wanted to tell him last year. This year, he and I are simpatico. I would tell him to never bat Werth clean-up again, but that is moot for a while.

Lame answer, but I’m honestly very happy with the way Davey is coaching the team. Like I said before, they are injured and still winning. He is doing something right!

It seems like Davey finally has the horses for the job, at least. (The ones who aren’t on the DL.) Last question…anything bugging you? Nats, opposing players, headlines? My irritant du jour is the comments from Whitey Herzog. Even when I agree with the substance of what he’s saying, he personally stands on my nads.

I don’t understand the hate for Bryce Harper. I was really surprised that he was booed in L.A. for his MLB debut. Who boos a MLB debut (besides Phillies fans that boo everything)? Sure, the kid has gotten a lot of press, but come on.

Harper is only 19 and has taken MLB by storm. He is still learning the OF (was a catcher before last season) and is hitting like crazy.

Especially his face. (Sorry. Had to say it.)

Touché. I know that there was the blowing-kisses incident last year and his stitches to his eye, but at least I think he’s learned from his “experiences.”

Well, and he’s 19. Like all the other unknown 19-year-olds in America are so unjerky.

Harper is a guy that everyone would want on his team and hate him if he’s not. I get that. But the booing by Dodgers fans and HBP by Hamels, I simply don’t get.

Hamels: whatever. Don’t be starting shit, Pretty. I mean, Harper annoys me because we don’t have one, I’m not going to lie. But I doubt you see Hamels’s rotation-mates pulling that foolishness.

I’m also tired of hearing about the attendance at Nationals games. The Nats have had diehard, dedicated fans since day one. But DC has people from all over. I have friends that grew up as Mets fans and are still Mets fans, but are Nats season-ticket holders. They cheer for the Nats except when Mets are in town. That happens with Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies, etc.

Also an annoyance here in NYC. “Why is Citi half-empty?!” Because you have to take the craptastic 7 train to get there. Do the math.

And in DC, no one is on time. No one gets to the ballpark until the third inning. Drives me nuts.

Heh. Chavez Ravine East.

On another note…the rotation has been incredible. Couldn’t be happier. Craig Stammen has been great out of our pen. Adam LaRoche…wow. Now that he is healthy, fans are realizing he is quite an asset and not too upset about Fielder anymore. And of course, Harper. Those are definitely highlights so far for me.

I’m about to head to Nationals Park for the first game of the “Battle of the Beltways” with Orioles. For the first time in Nats history, both teams are winning so the national media is even paying attention. It should be a good series.

Cheryl Nichols is a columnist and photographer for District Sports Page. She is credentialed to cover the Washington Capitals, and has reported on the community service and fan events for Nats News Network and Caps News Network since 2006. Cheryl is an accomplished action photographer and has been published in The Washington Post and many other local media. She was a credentialed photographer for the 2010 season covering the Washington Nationals. You can follow her on Twitter @cnichols14.

Tags:   Adam LaRoche   Andre Ethier   Bryce Harper   Chad Tracy   Cheryl Nichols   Cole Hamels   Collin Balester   Craig Stammen   Danny Espinosa   Davey Johnson   Derek Norris   Don Mattingly   Drew Storen   Gio Gonzalez   Hateful Buntsy Should Never Have Signed Up For Fantasy Baseball   Ike Davis   Ivan Rodriguez   Jayson Werth   Jesus Flores   John Lannan   Kerry Wood   Livan Hernandez   Mark DeRosa   Matt Kemp   Michael Morse   Out With The Crowd   Ross Detwiler   Ryan Perry   Ryan Zimmerman   Sandy Leon   Stan Kasten   Stephen Strasburg   Tommy Milone   Washington Nationals   Whitey Herzog   Wilson Ramos