Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Alchemist"

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Alchemist"
What better way to end Hitting the Books for 2019 than with a book of hope. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho is on just about every must-read list and its message never wanes - if anything, it is a book for this time of so much angst. I am so happy to have with us Kristen Hudak, the director of public relations for the Orioles, who presents this work and what it means to her. Kristen deals with the hopes and dreams of so many who come through the Orioles system. She sees the search for...

Notes on Manuel, Rios, Lavarnway, Palmer and Hudak

Notes on Manuel, Rios, Lavarnway, Palmer and Hudak
The Orioles are still targeting Charlie Manuel in their search for a new hitting coach, according to sources, and they should know later this week whether he's willing to fill the position. The Phillies would need to give their permission for the Orioles to conduct a formal interview with Manuel and he'd need to demonstrate that he wants the job. The first step shouldn't be an issue, but Manuel has been reluctant to throw his hat into the ring. Manuel initially declined the Orioles' offer,...

Orioles hire Hudak as PR director, plus other notes (updated)

Orioles hire Hudak as PR director, plus other notes (updated)
The Orioles have hired Kristen Hudak, a former MASN and ESPN employee, as their new public relations director. Hudak, who spent the past 3 1/2 years at ESPN, will oversee the public relations department, including corporate communications, media relations, online communications, photography and team publications. She will begin her duties on Dec. 29, reporting directly to Greg Bader, the Orioles vice president of communications and marketing. As a senior publicist at ESPN, Hudak generated...

Some prime time exposure for lovable loser Teddy

Some prime time exposure for lovable loser Teddy
The Nationals are going to get some high-profile national media attention this week, and it doesn't involve a prime time game, a controversy about a pitcher not pitching or an inside look at a star player (though MLB Network's Saturday afternoon look at Ryan Zimmerman and his affinity for Washington, D.C., and effort to raise money for multiple sclerosis research was pretty sweet). Come 7 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN, the whole sporting world will be introduced to one of Nationals Park's most...

Thanks, NatsTown, for enriching my life in so many ways

Thanks, NatsTown, for enriching my life in so many ways
Well, friends. It's that time. I know there's no crying in baseball, but it's difficult to say goodbye. Over the past five years, I've been blessed with countless opportunities to immerse myself in a game I love with all my heart. I learned so much during that time, more than I ever could have imagined. One of the most rewarding parts of writing this blog was showcasing and promoting all of the good work the Washington Nationals do in the community. I hope in some small way, this blog has...

Ladies Night set for June 16

Ladies Night set for June 16
The first Ladies Night event for the 2011 season is scheduled for Thursday, June 16 when the Nationals host the St. Louis Cardinals. The pregame happy hour ticket includes player appearances, drink specials, an exclusive gift, games, prizes, demonstrations, samples, music and entertainment. The $40 price also includes an outfield reserved seat and a $10 concession credit. Fans can purchase tickets at nationals.com/ladiesnight. If you can't make it, there's another Ladies Night...

Draft picks on Twitter

Draft picks on Twitter
Here's a quick, but not necessarily verified list of athletes drafted by the Nationals during the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. Make sure to welcome them to NatsTown. Alex Meyer: @AlexMeyer17 Meyer tweeted: "Just got drafted by the Washington Nationals!!!" on June 6. Greg Holt: @reggieholt14 Caleb Ramsey: @CRamsey28 Blake Monar: @BlakeMonar Hawtin Buchanan: @Hawtin_Buchanan Buchanan tweeted: "Just got drafted by the Washington Nationals. Thanks everyone for the support, but still...

Ticket sales to benefit disaster relief

Ticket sales to benefit disaster relief
During the next homestand, the Washington Nationals will raise funds for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help victims of recent tornadoes across the country. From Alabama to Missouri, the Red Cross has launched 20 separate relief operations in the United States since March 31. More than 4,500 Red Cross workers from all 50 states have been deployed to help those in need. A portion of proceeds from tickets purchased at nationals.com/relief will be donated to the cause. Tickets...

Nationals Park hosts Congressional Bank Baseball Classic

Nationals Park hosts Congressional Bank Baseball Classic
Though the Nationals are out of town, fans can still enjoy the national pastime at Nationals Park this Sunday. The annual Congressional Bank Baseball Classic begins at 9 a.m. and lasts throughout the entire day. The event showcases the Districts' best high school teams and players as they compete at Nationals Park. Schools set to participate in the tournament include the Maret School, Sidwell Friends, Cardozo High School and Woodrow Wilson High School. Additionally, at 2 p.m., Washington,...

Storen: Nationals are America's team

Storen: Nationals are America's team
National pastime in the nation's capital, meet your leader. Reliever Drew Storen launched a campaign during his recent visit to the MLB Fan Cave asking fans to adopt the Nationals as America's team. Here's his campaign video: The spoof mentions realistic reasons (close proximity to the White House) and funny reasons too (like the team's facial hair diversity). Can the Nationals be America's team?

Nationals break ground on youth baseball academy

Nationals break ground on youth baseball academy
For years, the Washington Nationals have dreamed of building a youth baseball academy in the District of Columbia. They battled through multiple layers of government, pledged $3.5 million dollars to the project, studied Harlem RBI and other programs, and finally broke ground today on the new facility. The Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy will conduct after-school and summer programs that integrate baseball, academics and the value of teamwork for youths 8 to 18 living in...

Tickets for ziMS event on sale

Tickets for ziMS event on sale
Tickets are now on sale for the ziMS Foundation's second annual "A Night at the Park" event hosted by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. The fundraiser and live auction will take place on Thursday, June 30 at Nationals Park beginning at 6 p.m. It's also official that country star Rodney Atkins will headline the event. Fans of country music know that you can't listen to a country station for more than a few minutes before hearing his recent hit, "Farmer's Daughter." In recent years, Atkins...

Nats, O's Rivalry? Not yet, but someday

Nats, O's Rivalry? Not yet, but someday
BALTIMORE - As the Nationals travel to Baltimore for their first interleague series of the season, players still struggle to see a real rivalry between the two teams. There are many factors why that might be the case. The two teams share a television network and a Major League Baseball designated television territory. For years, fans in Washington traveled up Interstate 95 to watch baseball until they were granted a team of their own in 2005. Moreover, both teams have yet to play a...

Battle of the Beltways by the numbers

Battle of the Beltways by the numbers
The Nationals head to Baltimore this weekend to kick of their 2011 interleague play. As always, many fans in Washington will make the trip up Interstate 95 to support the Nationals. Here's a look at the Battle of the Beltways by the numbers: Since baseball returned to Washington in 2005, the Nationals trail the Orioles 16-14. If you add in the Expos' history, the all-time series is 23-22 in Washington's favor. At Camden Yards, however, the Nationals are just 9-15. And, of the 30 Battle...

GroupOn discount for Nats games

GroupOn discount for Nats games
On Tuesday, GroupOn DC has a special discount for Nationals fans. The deal works for three different games (Padres on Friday, May 27; Padres on Saturday, May 28; Cardinals on Wednesday, June 15). There is a 12-purchase limit. The costs and discounts are as follows: For $23, an LF/RF-Corner ticket (a $34 value), plus a $10 concession credit For $16, an Outfield Reserved ticket (a $22 value), plus a $6 concession credit For $8, an Upper-Infield Gallery ticket (a $17 value) Also, Nats News...

Zimmerman's Night at the Park fundraiser set for June 30

Zimmerman's Night at the Park fundraiser set for June 30
Ryan Zimmerman's second annual Night at the Park fundraiser will take place Thursday, June 30 at Nationals Park. As always, the event will benefit the ziMS Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding multiple sclerosis treatment and research programs. Last year's event raised over $200,000 for the ziMS Foundation, a cause close to Zimmerman's heart. Though the ziMS Foundation hasn't announced the talent or celebrity lineup yet, the ziMS Foundation website mentions that...

Nix getting more playing time

Nix getting more playing time
ATLANTA - Laynce Nix will make his sixth consecutive start for the Nationals tonight in left field. Before the game, manager Jim Riggleman explained that his decision to use Nix has more to do with Nix's recent success than the lingering knee injury to Michael Morse. "Basically, I'm just choosing to play (Laynce) Nix, but Mike (Morse) can play. He's just not going to move around as good as maybe he would if he was 100 percent," Riggleman said. "Nix is a strong guy. He's got power....

Riggleman wants Ramos to play more back-to-back games

Riggleman wants Ramos to play more back-to-back games
ATLANTA - According to Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, catcher Wilson Ramos performs better when he plays in back-to-back games. As a result, Riggleman plans to utilize Ramos in two or three game stretches moving forward. "Wilson (Ramos) just plays better when he plays more," said Riggleman. "He showed us that in spring training. The games that he's played this year, whenever I get him two or three days in a row, he just seems to produce more." Ramos went 5-for-11 during his only...

Georgia on my mind

Georgia on my mind
I'm off to Atlanta this morning - land of peaches, CNN, Coca-Cola and Braves baseball. I thought I would check in quickly from Dulles airport to mention a few odds and ends for the Nationals' next homestand. I'll be at the Turner Field on Wednesday and Thursday, so check back for more updates. And make sure to follow Matthew Kaminski, the Braves' organist, on Twitter. Kaminski asks fans for suggestions on songs played for visiting team at bats. Other news: * The Nationals recently...

Esperanza Hairston, the heart of baseball's storied family

Esperanza Hairston, the heart of baseball's storied family
Nationals utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. answers a lot questions about his father, Jerry Sr., and grandfather, Sam - a pinch hitter extraordinaire in the 1970s and Negro League player, respectively. One of four three-generation baseball families, the Hairstons are proud of their storied baseball history and multi-generational accomplishments. Certainly, Sam and Jerry Sr. taught their children about life and baseball - passing on their talent and advice. But that's not the whole story. At...