20 Greatest Players in Nats History (No. 11-15)

Thanks to everyone who read and commented on the first installment of our 20 Greatest Players in Nationals History series. If you missed it, click this link to find out who checked in at Nos. 16-20 before proceeding with this week’s piece featuring Nos. 11-15.

Reminder: This is a purely subjective exercise. Stats were considered, of course, but greatness is about more than stats. It’s about impact, both on and off the field. It’s about significance to the franchise during its two decades in D.C. And on some instinctual level, it’s just about the players that you think most fondly of when you consider the last 20 years of Nats baseball.

We’ll continue the series each Sunday through the rest of the month, culminating with the Top 5 on Dec. 29 …

NO. 15 – LIVÁN HERNÁNDEZ
Starting pitcher, 2005-2006, 2009-11
Stats: 44-47, 4.32 ERA, 129 GS, 828.2 IP, 915 H, 430 R, 398 ER, 82 HR, 262 BB, 476 SO, 94 ERA+, 1.420 WHIP, 7.7 bWAR, 10.2 fWAR

Perhaps no player better epitomizes the early years of the Nationals than the man who threw the first pitch in club history. Hernández already had enjoyed a notable career before coming here, winning National League Championship and World Series MVP honors as a rookie for the Marlins in 1997, then again pitching in the World Series for the Giants in 2002. He was traded to the Expos in 2003 and established himself as the workhorse ace of that staff by the time he joined them in relocating to Washington.

Dusty Baker on tradition, teaching and teamwork

Dusty Baker on tradition, teaching and teamwork
LAKELAND, Fla. - Nationals manager Dusty Baker has a fondness for this central Florida city known for the citrus and phosphorus mining industries and for being an important intrastate transportation hub. His father was born here and one of Baker's early Grapefruit League games came here against the Tigers, when a youngster quickly realized the size and abilities of the competition. "They were all guys that were built like my dad and I called my dad and I said, 'Dad, I don't think I'm going...

Nick Johnson rejoins Nationals as spring training instructor

Nick Johnson rejoins Nationals as spring training instructor
VIERA, Fla. - It's been seven years since Nick Johnson last donned a Nationals uniform, but there was something comforting about the site of the former first baseman standing at the batting cage this morning, a curly W on his cap, watching current members of the team take swings off live pitchers. What, exactly, is Johnson doing here? "Whatever they need me to do," he said succinctly, to this day still a man of few words. Officially, Johnson is in camp for 10 days as a special instructor....

Ted Leavengood: Heart and soul

Ted Leavengood: Heart and soul
Nick Johnson finally hung up the spikes this week, according to MLBTradeRumors.com. Only 34, Johnson will be remembered as the backbone of the first Nationals team in 2005, and to those of us who wore his name proudly on the back of our first Nationals jerseys, he was the heart and soul of that team. The article highlights Johnson's ability to get on base, his "keen eye at the plate" that helped him achieve a "15.7% walk rate" that the article notes is "the 29th-highest mark of any...

Orioles don't have many decisions to make on their own free agents

Orioles don't have many decisions to make on their own free agents
A few days ago, I gave you the rundown of arbitration-eligible Orioles and educated guesses on which players could be non-tendered. There are enough names on the list to keep any team executive busy. The Orioles don't have nearly as many pending unrestricted free agents. The 40-man roster includes outfielders Nate McLouth and Endy Chavez, pitcher Joe Saunders and designated hitter Jim Thome. Pitcher Randy Wolf and first baseman Nick Johnson are on the 60-day disabled list. This group can...

Notes and updates

Notes and updates
The Orioles are 20-14 against left-handed starters this season. They were 19-28 last year and 18-33 in 2010. Their last winning record vs. left-handed starters was 33-19 in 2007. The Orioles will try to improve to 22-19 in series finales. They've won five of their last six finales at home. Randy Wolf played catch today, but he wasn't scheduled to throw in the bullpen because he had a side session two days ago. The Orioles will sign him and add him to the roster on Friday, which will require...

Thome expected to miss three to four weeks (Thome says longer)

Thome expected to miss three to four weeks (Thome says longer)
Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome is at Camden Yards today, but he's no closer to getting back into the lineup. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Thome is expected to miss three to four weeks because of a herniated disc in his neck. The epidural injection from last week apparently has improved Thome's condition, but not enough that he'll make an early return. Thome received the epidural in California. Two specialists will examine him in Baltimore, and Thome will decide whether...

Showalter talks about today's transaction and updates injuries

Showalter talks about today's transaction and updates injuries
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is trying to trade outfielder Endy Chavez, who was designated for assignment today to make room for outfielder Nate McLouth on the 25- and 40-man rosters. "Endy will end up on his feet shortly. I know Dan's going to explore some things with him and we'll go from there," said manager Buck Showalter. "There are still some things that could happen for Endy that would benefit both of us. We'll see." McLouth would have...

Bergesen joining team in Minnesota (N. Johnson to 60-day DL)

Bergesen joining team in Minnesota (N. Johnson to 60-day DL)
Needing another long reliever for tonight, the Orioles have made arrangements to purchase Brad Bergesen's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. Reliever Miguel Socolovich is expected to be optioned to Norfolk after replacing starter Chris Tillman in the first inning last night and working 2 1/3 innings. The Orioles must create room on the 40-man roster for Bergesen, who's been in the minors all season. As I just stated on "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report," one solution is to transfer Nick...

Nick Johnson has cortisone injection, and other stuff (Gausman signs)

Nick Johnson has cortisone injection, and other stuff (Gausman signs)
Nick Johnson had a cortisone injection in his sore right wrist. He remains in Sarasota and isn't close to coming off the 15-day disabled list. Johnson eventually could be moved to the 60-day DL to create room on the 40-man roster if the Orioles determine that he's going to be sidelined for an extended period. Asked whether Johnson and Jim Thome, a full-time designated hitter, can co-exist on this team, manager Buck Showalter replied, "Let's get Nick healthy first. We can always figure out...

Orioles and Indians lineups

Orioles and Indians lineups
Now it's Ryan Flaherty's turn to start at third base. He's handling the hot corner for today's game against the Indians after starting in right field last night. Wilson Betemit stays at first base. Matt Wieters is batting seventh again after homering in that spot last night. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Wilson Betemit 1B Chris Davis RF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds DH Ryan Flaherty 3B Dana Eveland LHP For the Indians: Shin-Soo Choo...

Nick Johnson MRI comes back negative

Nick Johnson MRI comes back negative
Nick Johnson received some good news regarding the MRI taken on his right wrist this morning. Johnson said the MRI didn't reveal any structural damage. No tears or broken bones. It only showed old scarring from his multiple surgeries. Johnson, who had to leave Wednesday night's game after one at-bat and went on the disabled list yesterday afternoon, will wear a brace on the wrist for a week. "Just some wear and tear from the past," he said after tonight's 9-8 victory over the Indians....

Nick Johnson on his latest trip to the DL

Nick Johnson on his latest trip to the DL
After leaving last night's game after just one at-bat, Nick Johnson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list today by the Orioles with a right wrist sprain. Johnson is batting .207/.324/.391 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 38 games. He has had multiple surgeries on that wrist before, and will have an MRI tomorrow to make sure the injury is just a sprain at this point. "Need to try and get it right and hopefully there is nothing too structurally wrong with it," Johnson said. "It...

Assorted pregame notes and quotes

Assorted pregame notes and quotes
The Orioles took batting practice in shorts and T-shirts today because of the heat. The temperature is supposed to climb to 106 degrees tomorrow in Baltimore and 104 on Saturday. Shirts vs. skins? Here's your latest update on the Orioles' futility with runners in scoring position: The Orioles are 2-for-47 in their last nine games and 5-for-58 in their last 11 games. For the year, they rank 12th in the American League with a .242 average with RISP. The Orioles are 12-13 in series openers...

Looking ahead and back - way back

Looking ahead and back - way back
Could the Orioles be poised to make another roster move today? Nick Johnson exited last night's game after one at-bat with soreness and weakness in his right wrist, the same one that's undergone multiple surgeries. We'll know more after the Orioles receive the results of his MRI. If it's a DL situation, the Orioles could choose to bring back Steve Tolleson after optioning him yesterday. He might still be in Baltimore. Tolleson was going to spend a few days at his South Carolina home...

Update on Nick Johnson wrist injury

Update on Nick Johnson wrist injury
Nick Johnson will undergo an MRI on his right wrist tomorrow to learn the source of the soreness and weakness that forced him out of tonight's game. Johnson struck out in the second inning and Ryan Flaherty pinch-hit for him in the fourth. The Orioles have scheduled an MRI amid concerns that it's the same wrist which has undergone multiple surgeries over the years. "Just had some weakness there and some soreness," manager Buck Showalter said. "He said he was good for one swing and after...

Davis back in right field

Davis back in right field
Orioles manager Buck Showalter has regained the use of his designated hitter. However, he's keeping Chris Davis in right field for tonight's series opener against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Nick Johnson, who had two hits Wednesday night against the Mets, is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Nick Johnson DH Steve Pearce LF Jason Hammel RHP I gave you...

Orioles and Mets lineups

Orioles and Mets lineups
The Orioles have been shut out in two straight games and they haven't homered in their last five, so manager Buck Showalter is making a few changes tonight. Nick Johnson is starting at first base and Ryan Flaherty is starting in left field, as Showalter goes heavy with left-handed hitters against Mets right-hander Dillon Gee. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Ryan Flaherty LF Brian Matusz...

Orioles and Phillies lineup (Gonzalez optioned)

Orioles and Phillies lineup (Gonzalez optioned)
Nick Johnson is starting at first base today, as the Orioles try to even the series with the Phillies following last night's loss. We still haven't been told which player is being optioned to make room for Tommy Hunter. Jake Arrieta is here and seems to be in a much better mood than last night. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Ryan Flaherty RF Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP For the...

This and that (and more)

This and that (and more)
In case you don't recognize it, the Orioles are experiencing what is commonly known as an "off-day." No reason to report to the ballpark. No workout, no game, no interviews. The rainout that proceeded the doubleheader against the Rangers doesn't count in manager Buck Showalter's book. Players still had to show up at Camden Yards. They hit in the indoor cage and watched video and dressed in front of each other. That's not an "off-day." I'm going to have one of those, too, but not...