Last Night's Winner: Nyjer Morgan, Crazy Person

In sports, everyone is a winner-some people just win better than others. Like the "volatile"/"mercurial"/"passionate" Nationals outfielder, who appears to have lost his mind in the last two weeks.

I suppose we ought to put Morgan's recent streak in context, and point out that it's not occurring in a vacuum. It was earlier this season when he let his emotions get the better of him, throwing his glove in a fit of rage instead of returning the live ball to the infield. And, if we're allowed to go back that far, we'd be remiss in not mentioning that time he pooped in a Gatorade bottle at hockey camp.

So that's what we're dealing with here. His sanity has always had some frayed ends, but the past couple weeks is a new level altogether.

It started in Philadelphia, when Morgan may or may not have deliberately thrown a ball at a group of fans who were heckling him. Whatever happened, he was handed a fine and a seven-game suspension. He appealed, so everything else that's happened since has occurred with that hanging over his head.

Saturday, he bowled over Bryan Anderson on a play at the plate, even though the game was a blowout and the Cardinals catcher didn't even have the ball.

"I think it was just a culmination of Nyjer's anger that was brewing," Riggleman said. Morgan had been moved to eighth in the lineup. Riggleman benched him altogether the next day.

Tuesday, as the potential go-ahead run in extra innings, he could have scored easily if he slid into home. Instead he went for the collision, ended up getting called out and separating the shoulder of Marlins catcher Brett Hayes. Afterwards, he cursed out some fans.

Which brings us to last night. You know what happened last night.

Are these the actions of a crazy man? Certainly some have already suggested MLB should give him the rest of the season off to get some professional help. But look at that photo up there. Morgan, being escorted off the field, yelling at a crowd that hates his guts.

Morgan appears to have fully embraced the heel role, playing the instigator and agitator on a vanilla team that's going nowhere. He may already have his gentleman's name , but we like the new villain persona. No more Mr. Plush Guy.