Tag Archives: Washington Nationals

The Features
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Ryan Zimmerman’s “A Night at the Park”


Pictured: Ryan Zimmerman and his mother Cheryl / Chris Kennedy Images

Cheryl and Keith Zimmerman pride themselves on being family grounded people. Their biggest goal with their two sons, Ryan and Shawn, was to pass the value of family on to them. Monday night at Nationals Park, they watched with a glimmer in their eye as their oldest son Ryan of the Washington Nationals did his parents proud by sharing the value of family with over 700 people including his teammates, fans, and fellow District residents.

Ryan Zimmerman’s “A Night at the Park” was the first event held by his family’s ziMS Foundation in Washington, D.C. The foundation raises money to benefit multiple sclerosis research in honor of Ryan’s mother Cheryl who was diagnosed with the disease in 1995. As Ryan got a little bit older, he realized that if he ever had a chance to do something to give back, not just to his family but for everyone else who goes through daily life with MS in their own family whether it’s a parent, brother, or sister, he would do it.

“Obviously when I got to play baseball at this level I had the platform to kind of run with it and do something with it and I’ve had a lot of help along the way,” Ryan said. “It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to give back to people who have helped me get where I’m at now and this was the perfect reason to do it.” Continue reading →

The Features
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Nats Fans Are People Too: Cheryl Hauser


Pictured (left to right): Cheryl Hauser, Josh Willingham, and Cheryl’s friend Kristie / Photo provided by Cheryl Hauser

“Nats Fans Are People Too” is a new series taking you inside the minds and lives of the District’s biggest Nationals fans. Do you know somebody who should be featured? Are you one of the many die-hard Nats fans in town? Get in touch by sending a message to rachel@welovedc.com!

No amount of teasing is ever going to change Cheryl Hauser’s mind. She is and always will be a Nats fan.

Hauser, who was born in DC but lived in Waldorf, Md. until she was 7, grew up in Annandale, Va. with a family who loved to go to Orioles games. Each summer Hauser and her family and friends would take trips to Baltimore to watch baseball. It was their family’s bonding activity.

“We’d support [the Orioles] and we’d go a couple times a year,” Hauser said. “It was a fun family thing, but never as intense as what happened now, which happened by accident.” Continue reading →

The Features
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Nats Fans Are People Too: Mark Strattner


Photo Courtesy of MLB.com’s “Notes From NatsTown” blog

“Nats Fans Are People Too” is a new series taking you inside the minds and lives of the District’s biggest Nationals fans. Do you know somebody who should be featured? Are you one of the many die-hard Nats fans in town? Get in touch by sending a message to rachel@welovedc.com!

Some District residents might recognize Mark Strattner on the Metro or in the stands on game day. He was named the Nationals’ 10 millionth fan at a Nationals-Red Sox game in 2009 at Nationals Park. By day, Strattner is the the Chief of Collection Services Division at the Law Library of Congress. After hours, it’s all about the Washington Nationals.

Mark Strattner has been a Nationals season ticket holder since 2005 and a National League baseball fan his entire life. He grew up the son of baseball fans from Dayton, Ohio, whose parents were from Cincinnati. The family’s blood runs deep with a love for the Reds, but mostly for the National League. This was a consequence of where he was raised. Young Mark was born not too far from the District in Norfolk, Va., home to a Mets triple-A team, but Mark says that didn’t count. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Cristian Guzman Traded to Texas

Photo courtesy of
‘in the pocket’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

The Nationals continue to deal chips before the July 31 trade deadline this afternoon with news that infielder Cristian Guzman is going to the Texas Rangers in return for a few prospects.

Guzman has played in 550 games for the Nationals, second only to Ryan Zimmerman.

Guzman was also the longest tenured Nat whose service to the team had been uninterrupted. Additionally, he was on the team’s original 2005 Opening Day roster.

Updates after the page break. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Nationals Trade Matt Capps To Minnesota

Photo courtesy of
‘Matt Capps’
courtesy of ‘MissChatter’

Matt Capps is one of the reasons Nationals baseball had an exciting ride early this year. There’s no denying that.

The team’s lone All-Star representative in 2010 was traded to the Minnesota Twins last night for catcher Wilson Ramos and left-hander Joe Testa. Both are prospect players who will start their time with the Nationals on the farm. Ramos will start at Class Triple-A Syracuse and Testa will report to Class-A Potomoc.

The 26-year-old Capps came to Washington during the off-season as a free agent. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal. In many ways, he was the boy with the golden touch for the Nationals bullpen who had often struggled before Capps came in as a stabilizer. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Apparently Some People Can’t Take A Joke

Photo courtesy of
‘Batista admires the curly W headware’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

As you now know, the 10th day of Strasmas didn’t occur and Miguel Batista was called upon 10 minutes before game time Tuesday to pitch in front of a crowd expecting a phenom.

The Nationals put on quite the show, shutting out the first place Atlanta Braves 3-0 with stellar appearances from the four arms that pitched the game (Batista, Burnett, Storen, Capps).

Afterward, Batista shared what it quite possibly one of the funniest lines of the season with reporters. “Imagine if you go there to see Miss Universe and you end up having Miss Iowa,” Batista joked. “You might get those kind of boos.” Continue reading →

The Features
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A Look at the Expos’ Place in Nationals History

Photo courtesy of
‘my trusty, soon-to-be-retired expos hat’
courtesy of ‘permanently scatterbrained’

The Nationals announced Tuesday afternoon that the team will be honoring 2010 Hall of Fame inductee Andre “The Hawk” Dawson, who played for the franchise in Montreal with a tri-colored Expos cap atop his head from 1976-1986, on August 10 at Nationals Park.

It’s easy to fall victim to making a quick comparison between the Washington Nationals and the Washington Senators since those are the only two ball teams to play in the District, but they’re not one in the same. In fact, they’re far from it.

The Senators were an American League team. The Nationals are a National League team. The only common ground is the city in which they played.

Here’s a closer look at the Nationals’ history and how the Expos fit into that.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Happy Birthday Stephen Strasburg, I Ate A Burger For Ya!

We Love DC would like to wish Stephen Strasburg a happy birthday today. The Nationals phenom pitcher and San Diego native turns 22. Today he’s probably spending the day preparing for his start against the Cincinnati Reds tomorrow but I think he should relax, have some fun, and perhaps celebrate the way I did- by eating one of the many burgers in his namesake.

After a whole adventure on Twitter my fellow co-worker Laura Murphy and I got BGR: The Burger Joint to bring back their Strasburger: a cheeseburger topped with a hot-dog, cheese, and 14 pickles. Today we achieved the lifelong dream of eating the Strasburger and as Laura tweeted: it’s was exactly what a 2.03 ERA tastes like.

So Happy Birthday Stephen, may your future starts be victorious, strikeouts come a-plenty, and Strasbugers taste delicious.

The Daily Feed
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Obama Takes Stand Against Wave By Sitting


Image originally appeared at Power Line

I hate the wave. I’m going to come right out and say it. I may or may not have yelled at the section next to me during Strasmas 1 when they attempted to start it. I was quite lucky that my section approved of my view against the monotony of this Hokey Pokey, Stand-Up-Sit-Down version of crowd participation.

I do not stand (sit?) alone. Last Friday, while taking in the opening game between the Nationals and his hometown team, the Chicago White Sox, an opportunistic photographer caught President Obama passing as the wave passed right on by. Did he really refuse to participate? I’d like to think so.

via Deadspin

Sports Fix
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DC Sports Fans Rejoice: Strasburg is Real

 IMG_0058 Strasburg.jpg
Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nationals News Network

Joe Posnanski of SI wrote in his column yesterday that today was a lot like Christmas morning, in that the hopes and aspirations of the franchise lay in the wrapped present of Stephen Strasburg.  He also wrote that “you never really hear them talk about Christmas AFTERNOON, when the presents are out of their boxes and wrapping paper is scattered on the living room floor.”

For many other debuts, I’d say he’s right. For Stephen Strasburg’s debut, though, the reality of the present is absolutely matching its expectations. The Nationals tonight delivered Christmas afternoon before the capacity crowd, which at times was so loud as to be deafening, and whose enthusiasm I have seen just once at Nationals Park. That game? The first victory at Nationals Park in April of 2008. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Bat Boy Lends Nationals Pitcher His Helmet

Photo courtesy of
‘bat boy’
courtesy of ‘a loves dc’

With certain colleagues around these parts, I have learned to “agree to disagree” during arguments about the existence of the DH in the American League. I fall into the, “I like entertaining baseball” category; some may fall into the other side of “We like when the ninth guy up bunts, it makes the game more pure. Double switches, that’s baseball!” Like I said, though, agree to disagree.

However, Drew Storen (that other major pitching prospect for the Washington Nationals not named Stephen Strasburg) may have given me some motivation to come around to the other side – an excuse to tag a post with the infamous “Natinals” monker. As Michael Tunison at the Sporting Blog passed along:

The second of the Nationals two 2009 first-round picks (who is only slightly less heralded than the first one, but still generating his share of anticipation) was looking for a batting helmet with ear flaps on each side…Starter John Lannan offered his, but the helmet wouldn’t fit Storen. As it so happened, the bat boy’s did.

No, it’s not a jersey mistake, but it’s still really quite entertaining – and that’s something we can all agree on.

Fun & Games, People, Special Events, Sports Fix, The Features
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Washington Hosts Boston In The Nationals Dream Foundation Classic

Dream Foundation Classic
Photo by Rachel Levitin

Some of you might have noticed this increased amount of red t-shirts, caps, and jerseys on the Metro yesterday. If you didn’t, then you didn’t see what I saw. When Red Sox Nation meets NatsTown, the ride from Chinatown to the ballpark is a never ending red sea (Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston pun intended).

As Boston preps to take on the 2009 World Champion New York Yankees in Beantown for Opening Day 2010 tonight, they spent Saturday afternoon in the District playing baseball against the team with the worst record in the Major Leagues last year.

Those standings didn’t deter the ticket buying public-at-large though. A crowd of 37,312 filled the seats of Nationals Park for the final game of the 2010 spring training season to see Craig Stammen take on the veteran force that is Tim Wakefield in this year’s Nationals Dream Foundation Classic. Continue reading →

Sports Fix, The Features
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Five Baseball Lessons From Thomas & Billy Heywood

Billy Heywood Played Here
The HHH Metrodome, Summer 2009
Photo byRachel Levitin

Billy Heywood could be integral toward the Nationals having a better than sub-par season. Don’t know who Billy Heywood is? He’s the first and only 12-year-old baseball manager whose team lost to a guy who notched 300 wins in the 2009 season (against the Nationals at Nationals Park) aka Randy Johnson in the 1994 film, Little Big League.

Sure – Billy Heywood is a fictional character from a 90’s sports movie made for children. That is but a mere technicality. Writer Gregory K. Pincus captured what was great about baseball through a 12-year-old boy who, if he were Jim Riggleman right now, would know how to knock some sense into our Nationals before the season gets them down.

Here are five lessons the 2010 Nats could learn from Billy Heywood and his grandpa Thomas:

Lesson One: There’s 162 Games, Don’t Forget

Thomas Heywood: Okay. It’s only May. A lot can happen. [On the Twins losing record] … You’re not making excuses because the Twins are losing? You’re not front runners are you?”

The correct answer in this scenario is: “No way, I’d rather see the worst team ever than go to my grandmother’s,” according to the movie. I agree. As much as I love my grandmothers, going to a baseball game on a school night was always a can’t miss opportunity.

Anything can happen between April and October. Anything. That’s what’s great about baseball. That’s why even the team that loses the most deserves support. They’ve made it through the minors. It took most of them awhile. They deserve fans just as much as the next guy.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Obama To Throw First Pitch On Nats Opening Day

Photo courtesy of
‘President Barack Obama winds up for the first pitch 2’
courtesy of ‘sportsreference’

President Obama will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the Nationals home opener against the defending National League Champion and division rival Philadelphia Phillies Monday, April 5 for the 1:05 day game.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced that this is the 100th anniversary of Presidential participation when it comes to the historic First Pitch.

Politics aside, at least Obama’s had some practice with throwing out the first pitch. He didn’t bounce it at the 2009 All-Star game. He made it over the plate. Forget Health Care Reform and whichever side you choose on that front, at least we know the guy won’t embarrass D.C. in front of the flocks of Phillies fans who will be making the four hour-ish trip to town for Opening Day.

Individual tickets for opening day are no longer available, but 400 level seats in section 401 and 402 will be available for $5 starting at 10 a.m. on game day.

The Daily Feed
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Top Three Rotation Spots Locked, Says Riggleman

Photo courtesy of
‘Goes Well With Apple Pie’
courtesy of ‘gfpeck’

(via @AdamKilgoreWP on Twitter) Lannan, Marquis, Stammen will be the #Nats first three starters this year, Riggleman says. Livo a likely 4th. Mock, Martin, Olsen for 5th.

This is Lannan‘s second year starting as the Nationals Ace for Opening Day.

Marquis has been shaky this Spring Training, with a 14.40 ERA. His attitude remains upbeat despite the not-so-brag-worthy start to run with the Nats. “Whether you have the No. 1 spot locked up or the No. 5 spot locked up, you still want to go out there and compete and not embarrass yourself or your teammates,” Marquis told WaPo’s Adam Kilgore. “Hopefully that’s what you do you when it comes close to the end of spring training.” Let’s not forget, Maqruis was an All-Star in 2009. If he doesn’t show he’s got the arm, then we’ll see how long he stays in Washington.

There’s something about Stammen though. When I spoke with him at NatsFest back in January he said something that struck me. “The Nationals empire is coming soon,” Stammen said. “The Verizon Center is always packed because the Caps and the Wizards create a winning product. It’s our time now.” Stammen had no clue he’d be starting for the Nats in January. He just loves to play and loves to play for a team that wants him there.

Riggleman is still working the last two spots for the five man rotation. Opening Day at Nationals Park is next Monday. So those names should be in by then.

The Daily Feed
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Nats Unconditionally Release OF Elijah Dukes

Photo courtesy of
‘Elijah Dukes’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

It was just announced that the Nationals have unconditionally released OF Elijah Dukes. If you’re unsure as to what “unconditionally” means, here’s the gist — the Nats couldn’t find a trade partner for Dukes and he can go to whatever team wants him should he want to sign with the club when approached.

Dukes has been an outfielder for the Nationals since 2008.

The general consensus in the clubhouse is shock. Updates after the page break. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Nats Cut Dead-Weight From Pitching Roster

Photo courtesy of
‘Nats pitcher Jordan Zimmerman’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

The Nats have kept their word as far as cutting the dead-weight on their current pitching staff loose. Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement today that LHP Victor Garate and RHP’s Logan Kensing and Joel Peralta were sent back to the minors. Lefty’s Shawn Estes and Eddie Guardado were also released.

Now Riggleman & pitching coach Steve McCatty can focus on grooming the guys who are still around for the regular season.

The head count in Viera, Fla. is now 53.

The Daily Feed
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Strasburg Finds Success In First Outing

Photo courtesy of
‘Basics for Baseball’
courtesy of ‘Jinx!’

If you couldn’t find yourself an AM radio or don’t follow any baseball writers on Twitter, allow me to re-cap young Strasburg’s first outing:

Total Pitch Count – 25

Total Strikes – 15

Total Hits – 2

Total K’s – 2

Plus — his first career strikeout was against Miguel Cabrera with a 98 MPH fastball on a full-count.

Way to go, kid. Now let’s see if your teammates can back you up with some run support after your first two innings.

The Daily Feed
By

Strasburg’s First Start Couldn’t Be Coming At A Better Time

Photo courtesy of
‘Waiting for the call’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

Stephen Strasburg’s first start with the Nationals is being welcomed during a desperate time.

Here’s the set-up: In 6 games, the Nats have been outscored 67-30 and haven’t won a single game so far. Granted, this is Spring Training. The games don’t matter. What DOES matter is prepping for the regular season. The hopeful pitching staff isn’t showing much in the prep department as of yet. They have given up 91 hits, 28 walks and 12 home runs in 50 innings.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the real killer is – 17 pitchers have an ERA of 9.00 or higher – with a team ERA of 10.98.

Here’s to hoping that the six previous losing were just the Nats “taking a few for the team” while waiting for Strasburg to take the mound. But – if that’s the case – there’s no excuse for such poor performances.

“You don’t like to see your guys get knocked around,” Riggleman told Nationals Journal writer Adam Kilgore. “You hate to see your guys giving up runs. We’re trying to win the ball game. Nobody’s trying to give up hits. Nobody is satisfied that we’re not winning ball games […] It’s just part of what we got to go through to get through these first couple of weeks of spring training. Our guys are just taking it on the chin a little bit.”

Tune-in to WFED 1500 AM at around 12:30 for the 1 pm Strasburg debut. Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler will be announcing the play-by-play.

Update 9:56 am — (Via Adam Kilgore’s Twitter) “The #Nationals will make cuts earlier next week, and it will consist mostly of pitchers.” Good thinking.

The Daily Feed
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Nats Lose Two To Open Spring Training, Pitching A Key Contributor

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington Nationals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks August 7th’
courtesy of ‘ShashiBellamkonda’

After two losses for the split-Nationals squad on Opening Day of Spring Training (aka Thursday afternoon), the Nationals are in the process of solidifying their regular season rotation.

Right now, Marquis and Lannan are on the list, but that’s all Riggleman has confirmed.

“These first couple of outings, we are going to let them get the bugs out,” Riggleman told MLB.com.

If by bugs he means losses, than that’s a good idea. Four pitchers fighting for the final rotation spots pitched in the split-squad games in Jupiter and Kissimmee, Fla. Thursday. The foursome included Right-handers J.D. Martin and Collin Balester vs. the Florida Marlins and Garrett Mock and Sharion Martis against the Houston Astros. Continue reading →