Vote Nats in Best of 2010

Vote Nats in Best of 2010
The Metro Express Best of 2010 nominations are out and the Washington Nationals are up for the final vote in several categories including "Best D.C. Team." Jim Riggleman is also up for "best coach" against Karl Hobbs, Mike Shanahan, Gary Williams and Bruce Boudreau. Ryan Zimmerman and Stephen Strasburg are both on the ballot for "Best D.C. Athlete," along with Chris Cooley, Alexander Ovechkin and John Wall. Strasburg will also face off against Ivan Rodriguez, Donovan McNabb and John...

Nats Honor Roberto Clemente

Nats Honor Roberto Clemente
When Wil Nieves was a youngster playing baseball in Roberto Clemente Sports City, he knew exactly what number he wanted to wear in tribute to his favorite player and his country's hero. Nieves grew up hearing about Clemente and his many accomplishments, but in that small town on the outskirts of San Juan, Nieves realized that Clemente was so much more than a great athlete. "People loved him because he was a great player and a great person," Nieves said. "We need to learn from him how to...

Willingham Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award

Willingham Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award
On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced the nominees for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. The Nationals have selected Josh Willingham this season and they will honor his nomination during the ninth annual Roberto Clemente Day on September 8th. The Roberto Clemente Award honors players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award recognizes the legacy and contributions of Roberto Clemente,...

Fan Appreciation Month and New Season Ticket Plans

Fan Appreciation Month and New Season Ticket Plans
This September, the Nationals will honor their fans with a month full of special giveaways, prizes and more. During the final home games, fans will be surprised with Nationals merchandise, autographed items from Nationals players including baseballs and lineup cards, tickets to the 2011 Dream Gala, tickets to upcoming home games, sets of Lexus Presidents Club tickets and the use of a suite for the final game of the season. One lucky fan will receive the ultimate prize: an opportunity to...

Hanrahan finds success in Pittsburgh

Hanrahan finds success in Pittsburgh
On Friday evening, former Nationals closer Joel Hanrahan collected his third save of the season by striking out his former teammate and friend, Ryan Zimmerman. "All I was thinking was that I didn't want to face Adam," Hanrahan joked on Saturday, but admitted that it's strange facing some of his good friends and former teammates on the mound. "Between the lines, it's all about business and it was nice to get the job done for our team." Hanrahan is cruising through an impressive year...

Espinosa impresses in first start

Espinosa impresses in first start
In his first major league start, Danny Espinosa showed the organization just a glimpse of his talent and potential. The highly touted September call-up went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. One of those was a monster home run to deep right field. Bench coach John McLaren, filling in as manager during Jim Riggleman's suspension, called it a "missile." It came on a 1-1 pitch from Pirates starter Zach Duke, a changeup middle away. "It's one of those sweet feelings; you don't even feel the...

Nats have a big sixth inning

Nats have a big sixth inning
Greetings from Pittsburgh, where the Nationals are attempting to climb out of an early seven run deficit. After putting up four runs in the sixth inning and knocking Pirates' starter Zach Duke out of the game, they've closed the gap to just three runs. September call-up Danny Espinosa put the team ahead with his first major league home run back in the third inning. Dunn, Maxwell and Espinosa drove in additional runs in the sixth putting the Nats back in striking distance. Livan Hernandez...

Road Trip Idea: Pittsburgh

Road Trip Idea: Pittsburgh
Anybody planning a trip to Pittsburgh for Labor Day to watch the Nationals take on the Pirates at beautiful PNC Park? I know the Racing Presidents are traveling north for the weekend to race those Pittsburgh Pierogies and from talking to many of you, it sounds like NatsTown will be well represented in the 'Burgh for the series. The trip to Pittsburgh is an easy 4-5 hour drive, tickets are affordable and PNC Park is one of the best venues in Major League Baseball. Need more convincing? The...

Lopez Impressed with Nats' Improvement

Lopez Impressed with Nats' Improvement
Cardinals infielder Felipe Lopez, who played for the Nationals from 2006-2008, talked briefly about his time in Washington over the weekend. Lopez was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds before the trade deadline in 2006 and after two seasons in Washington, he was released in July of 2008. He's played for the Brewers, Diamondbacks and Cardinals since leaving Washington, but Lopez said his family does miss living in the nation's capital. "My wife is from here and my kids enjoyed being at...

100th Win at Nationals Park

100th Win at Nationals Park
With a new look to the lineup, strange plays, two ejections and over 30,000 fans on hand to watch, the Nationals collected their 100th win at Nationals Park on Saturday night by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 14-5. Moreover, the 14 runs scored tonight were the highest single-game total in DC since baseball returned in 2005. That's a lot of good news following a tough week in NatsTown. This season, the Nats are inching closer and closer to a .500 record at the new ballpark with their...

Clip and Save (a life)

Clip and Save (a life)
On Saturday, the Nationals hosted their second and final blood drive of the season in partnership with Inova Health System. Several hundred fans turned out for the drive to donate blood to 15 local hospitals in Washington D.C. and Virginia. Only 37 percent of people in the United States are eligible to donate blood and of those, fewer than 5 percent donate on a regular basis and hospitals are always in need of more blood donations. "Whenever people can do it, there is always a big need...

Lannan, Dunn Appear on Bravo's Top Chef

Lannan, Dunn Appear on Bravo's Top Chef
Spoiler Alert! On Wednesday evening, the Nationals were featured on Bravo's hit reality television cooking show, Top Chef. The Emmy award winning show filmed its seventh season in Washington D.C. this past spring and John Lannan, Adam Dunn and Matt Capps participated in the episode, "Making Concessions." "I didn't realize this at the time but it's a huge show," Lannan said. "I think I'm going to get more attention for this than the game I pitched last night." In the episode, the...

Wing eating contest at Nats Park

Wing eating contest at Nats Park
Give Hard Times Cafe a point for creativity. The famed local eatery is trying to spice things up during these late summer baseball games by hosting a wing eating contest on Friday night. How many spicy chicken wings can you eat in 90 seconds? If you're ready for that challenge and confident in your ability, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to explain why you should be chosen to compete in the contest. Think through that email carefully as only two contestants will be chosen. ...

Special screening of Ken Burns' "The Tenth Inning"

Special screening of Ken Burns' "The Tenth Inning"
If you loved Ken Burns' classic Baseball documentary, you'll probably want to pencil this event onto your calendar. On Thursday, September 23rd, Burns will join filmmaker Lynn Novick for a preview screening of his new film, the Tenth Inning, at Lisner Auditorium in Washington D.C. at 7 p.m. This preview screening is a PBS and WETA event which will feature a discussion with Burns, Novick and ESPN writer Howard Bryant. The Tenth Inning, a two-part, four-hour documentary, premiers on...

This Week at Nats Park

This Week at Nats Park
There is so much happening at Nationals Park this week and plenty of good reasons to ignore the rainy forecast. But, in case you need it, here is the Nats' hotline for inclement weather: 202-675-NATS, Option 5. Now for the good stuff... Tuesday is T-Shirt Tuesday, with a special design featuring Stephen Strasburg. The first 10,000 fans will get a t-shirt courtesy of tickets.com. On Wednesday, the Nationals celebrate Craft Beer Week with a Leinenkugel pregame beer sampling at the Miller...

Storen Bobbleheads and Other Upcoming Events

Storen Bobbleheads and Other Upcoming Events
If you're not busy tonight, head down to Woodbridge to pick up your one of a kind Drew Storen bobblehead, courtesy of Geico. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive the signature collectible. Stay after the game and enjoy a classic family friendly movie on the new scoreboard. Also, reminders about two upcoming events: The final Ladies Night of the 2010 season will be on Thursday, August 26th before the Nationals face the Cardinals. The theme is Vegas, and as always, the...

Strasburg wired for Wednesday's game

Strasburg wired for Wednesday's game
He won't be on the mound, but fans can still enjoy plenty of Stephen Strasburg during tonight's game against the Braves. Strasburg will wear a wireless mic as part of MASN's regular Wired Wednesday, a feature which brings fans candid thoughts and sounds straight from the dugout each week. It will give fans an up-close look at the phenom and his interaction with teammates during the game. The usually stoic Strasburg showed some humor during his presentation of the Top 10 with David...

More suggestions for the Braves' organist

More suggestions for the Braves' organist
For Stephen Strasburg's first game in Atlanta, we asked you to provide song suggestions to Matthew Kaminski, the organist for the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Kaminski seeks tips from fans and tries to match up songs to visiting players and pitchers. The Nationals face the Braves this week for a three game series and you'll have another chance to show-off of your cleverness. Scott Olsen, Livan Hernandez and John Lannan are the probable starters, so that's a good place to...

Back to School Drive

Back to School Drive
My close friends know that I've been pining for fall for awhile. I'm ready for sweaters, scarves, boots, pumpkin spice lattes and a nice cool breeze at Nationals games. Tonight, I can pretend it's fall by donating notebooks, pencils and pens to the Nationals' fourth annual Back to School Drive. Fans may donate new school supplies at the Center Field Gates from the time gates open through the fourth inning. Backpacks, calculators, composition and spiral notebooks, crayons, glue sticks,...

Owen Wilson to make Nats debut this December

Owen Wilson to make Nats debut this December
The romantic comedy "How Do You Know" staring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson is set to be released this Christmas. The Washington Post's Dan Steinberg pointed out this morning that a new movie trailer for the film is available. In the film, Owen Wilson plays Manny, a Nationals reliever and the love interest of Reese Witherspoon's character. Last summer, Nationals fans had the opportunity to sit in as extras for filming at Nationals Park. The film is...