Tony Womack Cut By Nationals

It happens to all of us sooner or later. One day, you're in the prime of your life. Before you know it, you can't get around as easily as you used to ... you're taking advantage of early bird specials ... you're cutting off all of your hair in front of various members of the paparazzi ... stuff like that.

This inevitability is hitting Tony Womack. In 2001, Womack was tying up Game Seven of the World Series against the Yankees, and helping to end their dynasty. Six seasons, four trades and eight franchises later, Womack is the first cut by a team that might very well lose 100 games in 2007. Not a good sign, but Manny Acta hopes that the early cut will help get Womack another job.

According to Acta, Womack, 37, took the news like a professional. The team felt it was best to release him early in camp so he could hook up with another club. Womack was not available for comment.
"We just told him that we didn't think he could help us and he is not in our plans," Acta said. "He took it well. We didn't want to waste his time. If he is not in our plans, then why keep him here until March 28 and then not give him an opportunity to hook up with another club?"

Hopefully, there will be another shot for Womack. But if not, it's comforting to know that he's handling it well, and that there isn't going to be a Britney style meltdown in Tony's future.