Nats Honor Virginia Cavaliers

Nats Honor Virginia Cavaliers
Today, the University of Virginia Cavaliers traveled to Nationals Park to be honored by the Nats. The team met with Ryan Zimmerman on the field and watched the game from the PNC Diamond Club. And leave it to Ryan to send them home happy with a walk off home run against the Marlins. Last spring, Virginia competed in their first College World Series and captured the school's third ACC championship. They were 49-15-1 for the season. Much of their recent success has been attributed to...

Dukes, Desmond Share Debut History

Dukes, Desmond Share Debut History
Elijah Dukes knows a little something about hitting a home run during a Major League debut. In April of 2007, in the fifth inning of the Rays season opener, a then 23 year old Dukes took Yankees starter Carl Pavano deep in his first official at bat. Fortunately, the ball lodged itself in Yankee Stadium's center field wall and Dukes had no trouble recovering it as a keepsake. "Nothing can compare to that [experience]," Dukes said tonight after watching his 23 year old teammate accomplish...

Learn Spanish with Flores

Learn Spanish with Flores
Before receiving his recent injury news, catcher Jesus Flores agreed to help Nationals Buzz readers learn some basic Spanish words about baseball. The young catcher grew up in Venezuela and signed with the Mets in 2002. The Mets organization provided regular classes to the Hispanic players to help them learn the new language. Since arriving in Washington, Flores has worked hard to improve his speaking and writing ability in English, seeking out both a private tutor and opportunities to...

Josh and Ginger Willingham Launch Foundation

Josh and Ginger Willingham Launch Foundation
Josh Willingham and his wife Ginger have launched an important foundation dedicated to serving children and families in need in Alabama. The first project of the Josh Willingham Foundation will be building a playground for under-served children in their hometown of Florence, Alabama, but they also hope to help families in need around the holidays. "We started the foundation because we've had so much support from our family, our hometown and our friends back home," said Ginger Willingham. ...

Checking in with Church

Checking in with Church
A fan favorite player during his time in Washington, Ryan Church talked before Sunday's game about missing his teammates and fans in the nation's capital, but being thrilled to be part of the Braves organization. "Words can't describe it," Chuch said of playing for a franchise steeped in history and tradition with legendary manager Bobby Cox at the helm. Church described the Braves organization as low-key and very different from the high-pressure atmosphere in New York. "They have the...

And that's a wrap

And that's a wrap
We did it, NatsTown. Together, we survived another difficult season while miraculously watching our team somehow end up with 59 wins again. We lost a GM, a manager and several players but we gained exciting new players, a young pitching phenom, a talented new GM and another first round draft pick in 2010. Despite the challenges this season brought, we still witnessed some very good baseball from time to time. Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham provided plenty of moments to...

Nats Promote Reading to USO Students and Families

Nats Promote Reading to USO Students and Families
The Nationals' community service initiatives take no off-season, as evidenced by Thursday's gathering of nearly 300 children at Nationals Park to participate in Jump Start's Read for the Record program. USO volunteers, students and families joined the Washington Nationals, the Pearson Foundation and United Through Reading for a special bilingual reading of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar on Thursday morning. Nationals president Stan Kasten welcomed the children to Nationals...

Lannan and Stammen Visit the Children's Inn at NIH

Lannan and Stammen Visit the Children's Inn at NIH
Nearly a dozen children gathered near the fireplace at the cozy Children's Inn at NIH in Bethesda to hear John Lannan read "Casey at the Bat" on Thursday afternoon. It was Lannan's first visit to the Children's Inn, a residential "place like home" for sick children and their families seeking treatment at NIH. But Thursday's visit wasn't about treatment or discussing hardship. It was an afternoon escape from the routine, complete with a special visit from two big league baseball...

Storen and Strasburg on Saturday (Updated)

Storen and Strasburg on Saturday (Updated)
Update: Stephen Strasburg has been scratched for precautionary reasons from his scheduled start in the Rising Stars Game due to a muscle strain in his neck. He is listed as day-to-day. Both Drew Storen and Stephen Strasburg have been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Showcase on Saturday evening at Surprise Stadium. In fact, Strasburg is expected to start the game for the AFL East Division team. The great news for Nats fans is that MLB Network will carry a live...

Lannan and Stammen Support Bethesda Big Train Baseball

Lannan and Stammen Support Bethesda Big Train Baseball
On Sunday evening, Nationals pitchers John Lannan and Craig Stammen will make another community appearance - this time in support of Bethesda Big Train. The team plays in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League each summer and won the Championship this season. The 11th Annual Big Train Base Ball & Auction will take place on Sunday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Pooks Hill Marriott in Bethesda. ESPN's Tim Kurkjian will be the featured guest speaker with special appearances by...

Riggleman Meets with MASN Fantasy Baseball Winners

Riggleman Meets with MASN Fantasy Baseball Winners
It was a crowded night at the ESPN Zone. With various games on television including the big ECU vs. Virginia Tech match-up, the place was filled with enthusiastic fans supporting their football and hockey teams. But a day after the World Series, the sports world was on break from baseball - except for a few lucky Nationals fans. Near the front of the room, MASN's Fantasy Baseball winners gathered at a large table and enjoyed appetizers, dinner, drinks and a long, casual conversation with...

Men About Town

Men About Town
It sure is nice to have some players staying in Washington during this offseason. Both John Lannan and Craig Stammen opted to spend time in the nation's capital this winter while training with strength and conditioning coach John Philbin in Gaithersburg, MD. Staying in the area has allowed both players to make additional community service appearances and to interact with fans on a regular basis. Over the weekend, the teammates showed up at Bethesda Big Train's annual Base Ball & Auction...

Lucky #11 on 11/11

Lucky #11 on 11/11
Actually, it has nothing to do with luck... Ryan Zimmerman is a deserving recipient of his first Rawlings Gold Glove award, which was announced by Major League Baseball on Wednesday afternoon. The first National to win the award, Zimmerman is the second Washington based player to win. Senators catcher Earl Battey earned one in 1960. "Winning the Rawlings Gold Glove has always been important to me, as I take a lot of pride in my defense," Zimmerman said in a prepared statement. "When I...

Winter Coat Drive at Nats Park

Winter Coat Drive at Nats Park
While it sure feels like winter might never arrive (no complaints here!), eventually we'll have to drag out the winter coats, scarves and mittens while we wait for baseball to resume in the spring. This year, when you begin to sort through your winter apparel, you might want to consider setting aside an extra coat. Through December 11th, the Nationals are collecting clean, re-useable coats and jackets for DC adults and children during the One Warm Coat Drive at Nationals Park. ...

More voting for Zimmerman

More voting for Zimmerman
After collecting a number of prestigious awards this offseason, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is up for yet another important accolade -- but this time, you can help. The first-time Gold Glove winner is up for This Year in Baseball's Defensive Player of the Year. Fans can vote as often as they like through December 11th. Zimmerman is up against Michael Bourn, Jacoby Ellsbury, Torii Hunter, Adam Jones, Melvin Mora, Kaz Matsui, Jimmy Rollins, Yadier Molina and Troy Tulowitski. You can also...

Nyjer Morgan teams up with Kidney Foundation (updated)

Nyjer Morgan teams up with Kidney Foundation (updated)
It was a busy Saturday for Nyjer Morgan. The enthusiastic center fielder began his morning in the Silver Spring Thanksgiving parade, visited kidney transplant patients at the Dialysis Corp of America and Georgetown University Hospital, learned more about kidney donation and kidney disease from leading transplant surgeon Dr. Keith Melancon and spent his evening at the 29th annual Kidney Ball benefiting the National Kidney Foundation. Morgan became interested in the Kidney Foundation when his...

Stammen and Nats staff prepare Thanksgiving meals

Stammen and Nats staff prepare Thanksgiving meals
Over thirty Nationals employees volunteered their time to cook and package Thanksgiving meals on Monday. Joined by pitcher Craig Stammen, the group spent the day at Food and Friends, a nonprofit organization in NE Washington D.C., to prepare holiday meals for people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses. Together as a team, they sorted food donations, cooked Thanksgiving turkeys and packaged meals to be delivered to those local residents unable to purchase or prepare their...

Morgan Optimistic about 2010

Morgan Optimistic about 2010
While center fielder Nyjer Morgan is enjoying time with his family during the offseason, he is definitely ready for spring training. The proud dad has been busy watching his 8 year old daughter play hockey this winter. "She's really good, so I'm really pumped," he said last week while in town for the Kidney Ball. But Morgan is also very excited about playing his first full season with the Nationals. "We've got the fire power, the bats - which is the 'swat team.' That's what I...

Balester and Lannan Race to 500 Followers on Twitter

Balester and Lannan Race to 500 Followers on Twitter
You may have already heard, but Nationals pitchers Collin Balester and John Lannan both recently joined Twitter. On Tuesday afternoon, they began a race toward 500 followers on the popular social networking platform. Balester, aka @BallyStar40, joined a week ago and has the early lead with 267 followers. Newcomer Lannan, aka @JLannan31, began tweeting on Tuesday and already has 179 followers. The race has prompted both pitchers to offer up prizes for their 300th, 400th and 500th followers...

In a Florida state of mind

In a Florida state of mind
It may be December, but it's nearly 60 degrees in Washington, D.C. today, which means it's time to start thinking about spring training. In 78 short days, pitchers and catchers report to Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL to begin preparing for a better 2010 season. Early-bird fans may arrive for scheduled practice days, which last through March 5th. This is a great time to get autographs and pictures. The early morning practices include a lot of drills and bullpen sessions. If you'd...