Nats Honor Military Families on the 4th of July

Nats Honor Military Families on the 4th of July
This Sunday, Independence Day, the Nationals will honor their unique role in Washington by partnering with the USO on a special campaign for military families. Through the "Me and a Friend" campaign, the Nationals will invite the children of servicemen and women to the ballpark every Sunday afternoon. "It's one more part of our responsibility that we take very seriously," said Nationals president Stan Kasten. We represent the national pastime in the nation's capital. Part of that...
    

Harris Excited to Celebrate Black Heritage Night

Harris Excited to Celebrate Black Heritage Night
Throughout the season, the Nationals take several opportunities to recognize the achievements of African Americans in the game of baseball. While Jackie Robinson Day is one of those important celebrations, the Nationals will also recognize the accomplishments of other important African American legends like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Andre Dawson and Ken Griffey, Jr. during "Black Heritage Night." On Friday evening, several influential African-Americans will participate in a pre-game ceremony...
    

The Congressional Baseball Game

The Congressional Baseball Game
Whether you're into the political scene or just itching to get back to Nationals Park to see some baseball, the Congressional Baseball Game might be for you. This evening, at 7 p.m., members of both parties will settle the score on the baseball diamond instead of in the U.S. Capitol. Tickets are just $10 and proceeds benefit the Washington Literacy Council and The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. For over a century, Republicans and Democrats have come together to enjoy the...
    

Where at Nats Park (Updated)

Where at Nats Park (Updated)
After visiting Cooperstown, NY for the first time last weekend, I give you this picture for this week's Where at Nats Park. First, identify where this Hall of Famer is honored at Nationals Park. For bonus points -- Tell me something interesting about his career. And take a photograph of this at Nationals Park and post it onto MASN's Facebook page. Good luck! Answer: On the concourse between right field and first base. Nice work, guys. One more week until we name the 1st half winner!
    

Braves Organist Taking Strasburg Song Suggestions

Braves Organist Taking Strasburg Song Suggestions
Meet Matthew Kaminski, organist for the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Kaminski began playing the organ when he was five and eventually studied music at the University of Arizona and Georgia State University under the tutelage of some of the world's finest musicians. But Kaminski is also a baseball fan. Born in Chicago, Kaminski recalls Harry Caray's 7th inning stretch as the highlight of the games he attended as a child. When the Braves offered him the organist position last season,...
    

Free K Posters

Free K Posters
Don't forget to pick up your free Express today to get a "K" poster for this afternoon's Strasburg start. Wouldn't it be awesome to see these pop up in unison all throughout the park after each strikeout? The Nationals now also have a coordinated "K" sign display below the Miller Lite sign on the giant HD scoreboard. On another note: If you're skipping work today or heading to the park early, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) will offer free skin cancer screenings to...
    

Children Awed by Zimmerman and Capps

Children Awed by Zimmerman and Capps
"It was really cool...a grand slam." Those were the words of a ten year old patient at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children who unexpectedly met Matt Capps and Ryan Zimmerman on Tuesday. Noah recently had his appendix removed but he's eager to get back out on the baseball field. The young first baseman, who tries to emulate both Albert Pujols and Ryan Zimmerman, wanted to know what it took to become a major league ballplayer. "You just tell them to have fun and work hard," said...
    

Where at Nats Park? (Updated)

Where at Nats Park? (Updated)
Hope you all survived the heat at Nationals Park this weekend. I'm sporting a new bright red shade that I hope will fade before I have to attend a wedding this weekend. Anyway, on to baseball. Here is this week's challenge photo. Can you identify where it is? Some additional bonus point options for this week. Tell me something about the subject in the picture. And/or take your picture at this spot and post it to our MASN Facebook page. Reminder Wednesday marks the last day for...
    

ziMS Foundation Hosts "A Night at the Park"

ziMS Foundation Hosts "A Night at the Park"
On August 9th, Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will host a star-studded event at Nationals Park to benefit the ziMS Foundation. The event will feature special performances by world renowned magician David Blaine and recording artists Amos Lee and Mutlu. During the inaugural Zims Foundation event in Washington, Nationals Park will be transformed into an intimate concert hall with a special stage on the outside concourse of the Presidents Club. Dress is cocktail attire and the doors...
    

Women Learn Baseball Fundamentals at Nats U

Women Learn Baseball Fundamentals at Nats U
On Saturday morning, roughly 65 women gathered to learn more about baseball fundamentals from Nationals coaches and front office staff. The third baseball clinic geared toward women since baseball returned to D.C., Nats U was a tremendous success. The women sipped mimosas and enjoyed a complimentary breakfast in the PNC Diamond Club before splitting up into a beginning group and an advanced group. The advanced group heard from moderator Rob Dibble, Nationals Director of Minor League...
    

Strasburg Praised by Ozzie Guillen

Strasburg Praised by Ozzie Guillen
Ozzie Guillen, the outspoken manager of the Chicago White Sox, held nothing back while praising Nationals' phenom Stephen Strasburg following Friday night's game. Though his team managed to take a run from Strasburg early, their bats fell silent for the next nine innings. Through seven of those innings, Strasburg allowed just that one run and struck out 10. Perhaps even more impressive, he threw only 85 pitches. "You don't see kids, no matter how good of stuff you have, to have that...
    

All-Stars Among Us: Joe Mornini

All-Stars Among Us: Joe Mornini
Our final profile of the Nationals' All-Stars Among Us looks at Joe Mornini. Remember, voting ends on Sunday, June 20th. Your votes will help to decide which one of these three individuals will represent the Nationals at the 2010 All-Star Game. Joe Mornini co-founded the nonprofit TeamRiverRunner to train and mentor active service members and wounded veterans in whitewater boating and other paddling sports. An active boater, Mornini read many articles about wounded soldiers back in 2004...
    

This Weekend in NatsTown

This Weekend in NatsTown
On the third day of Strasmas...Ozzie Guillen came to NatsTown. Make sure to follow the outspoken White Sox manager on Twitter this weekend. He's pretty entertaining. After Strasmania tonight, the Nats have plenty of weekend activities planned to celebrate Father's Day. On Saturday, winners of a Father's Day essay contest will be honored on the field during a pregame ceremony. It's also the first bobblehead giveaway of the season. The first 15,000 fans to attend Saturday's game...
    

All-Stars Among Us: Mark Bergel

All-Stars Among Us: Mark Bergel
This week, Nats Buzz is profiling the three Nats finalists for People's All-Stars Among Us campaign. Make sure you vote before Sunday, June 20th. One of these three amazing individuals will represent the Nationals at the 2010 All-Star Game. Eight years ago, Mark Bergel was volunteering to deliver food to those in poverty. He visited one apartment where a family -- a grandmother, her daughter and two granddaughters -- had nothing. The older woman, who needed oxygen tubes and assistance...
    

Dunn, Capps and Lannan on Top Chef?

Dunn, Capps and Lannan on Top Chef?
Those of you who tuned in to watch the season premiere of Top Chef last night (shouldn't you have been watching the Nats!) saw a sneak peak of a future episode featuring Adam Dunn, Matt Capps and John Lannan. As you may have heard, this season's Top Chef competition is set in Washington D.C. The website IMDb offers this preview of the Nats episode: "The six remaining chefs take over two concession stands at Nationals Park in D.C., creating game snacks for the die-hard fans of the...
    

Nats U (Updated)

Nats U (Updated)
There is still time to sign up for the Nats baseball clinic for women on Saturday, June 19th. Ladies, I speak from experience -- this is a can't-miss event. If you want to learn a little more about the game, ask coaches some questions, run around on the grass at Nationals Park and meet some fellow female fans, you really want to sign up for Nats U. Tickets are $50 -- but they include the clinic and an outfield ticket to the evening game against the White Sox. The event begins at 8 a.m....
    

Lots of Desmond

Lots of Desmond
Ian Desmond will be the central star during MASN's next two broadcasts this week. He'll participate in both Wired Wednesday and Covering the Bases during this series, so be sure to tune in. On Wednesday, Desmond will wear a mic during the evening game against Detroit. On Thursday, Bob, Rob and Debbi will "cover the bases" with Desmond providing fans with insight into the shortstop's childhood, minor league career and personality. That game begins at 1 p.m. Desmond is 11-for-36 (.305)...
    

All-Stars Among Us: Kat Lanigan

All-Stars Among Us: Kat Lanigan
We're profiling the Nationals' All-Stars Among Us finalists this week on Nats Buzz. You have until Sunday, June 20th to vote for one of these three finalists to represent the Nationals at the All-Star Game in Anaheim this July. First up is baseball fan Kat Lanigan of Herndon. When Lanigan's father - a U.S. Army Reservist - was deployed overseas, she started a letter writing campaign to children of deployed soldiers. "It just recognizes them for the sacrifices they make when their...
    

Strasburg Graces Sports Illustrated Cover

Strasburg Graces Sports Illustrated Cover
Nats fans, don't forget to pick up your copy of Sports Illustrated this week. Stephen Strasburg, "National Treasure," will be on the cover. With 22 strikeouts, 2 wins and a storybook debut, Strasburg also earned the National League's player of the week award. The cover story is a feature piece on Strasburg by Albert Chen. It caps a big week for the rookie pitcher, who also announced the "Top 10" on the David Letterman Show last Thursday. The only over Nationals related Sports...
    

The Strasburger

The Strasburger
Last Friday, I took a quick trip over to BGR - The Burger Joint in Alexandria to try the now-famous Strasburger. The burger, which is named for and dedicated to Stephen Strasburg, features Vermont Cheddar cheese (for Strasburg's days with the Syracuse Chiefs), a grilled hot dog (representing the Phoenix Desert Dogs) and 14 pickles for the 14 strikeout debut. BGR founder Mark Bucher conceived of the Strasburger the morning after Strasburg's incredible major league debut. He immediately...