For as good as Da Meat Hook was last year, the Nats still missed Nick Johnson dearly. It's difficult not to, considering he looks like Private Pyle and gets on base like Wade Boggs.

Since breaking his leg in September of ‘06, at the tail end of the finest, fullest season of his career, it's been a long road to recovery. One that, by the sound of Nationals Journal's latest dispatch, is nearly over:

Nick Johnson delighted onlookers, including the manager and GM, with a solid batting-practice session (Jim Bowden's assessment: 'Phenomenal'), then said afterwards his leg feels great and he fully expects to be in the lineup when exhibition games begin at the end of the month. According to Bowden, the difference between seeing Johnson take BP today, versus seeing him last September (which was only a year after breaking his femur), was, 'Night and day. Not even close.'

Hallelujah. Please let him be in the Opening Day lineup. Put him in the mix with Zimmerman, Kearns, Milledge and Wily Mo (with Dmitri spot starting and pinch hitting) and, suddenly, you've got something resembling decency. Well, that and a helluva candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.

Bonus spring training pic: Has the Chief lost some weight? Looks like it.

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• Yardbarker A Review, Grades, and Peak to the Future: First Base for the Nats Oct 01