Nats commit to pay full-time employees through at least May 31
Nats commit to pay full-time employees through at least May 31
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals informed full-time employees they will continue to receive full pay and benefits through at least the end of May, a source familiar with the decision confirmed. Following the lead of nearly every other major league organization in recent days, Nationals ownership sent an email out to all full-time employees Thursday with news they will continue to be paid through May 31. The club previously had committed to paying full salaries through the end of April. A decision on payments...
Club debuts Nationals Philanthropies during pandemic shutdown
Club debuts Nationals Philanthropies during pandemic shutdown
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The
McDonald shares insights on Ripken, Rutschman, broadcasting and more (with video)
McDonald shares insights on Ripken, Rutschman, broadcasting and more (with video)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
So I was at it again yesterday, recording another Zoom video interview. That's three now with a few more coming. Hopefully, our readers here are enjoying the interviews and stories. Today's chat, with former Orioles pitcher and current MASN broadcaster Ben McDonald, featured some great insights and stories. Fans have been thrilled to have Big Ben back with the organization the last few years. He and Adley Rutschman are the only two humans on the planet that can say they were drafted No. 1...
Get Shift Done initiative launches for DMV region
Get Shift Done initiative launches for DMV region
Doug Miller
Nationals
Washington Nationals Philanthropies and the Greater Washington Community Foundation today announced a new partnership with Get Shift Done to launch the Get Shift Done DMV initiative which will coordinate, schedule, and pay adversely affected hourly workers in the hospitality industry to work shifts for local food access providers. Get Shift Done DMV, with founding investments from The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Capital One, the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, and...
More myths, misconceptions about some Orioles players
More myths, misconceptions about some Orioles players
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Another weekend is passing without sports, unless we're counting the NFL draft. I'm on the clock again, challenging myself to come up a few more Orioles who were misunderstood or unfairly labeled. Who didn't completely earn their reputations. For example: * Albert Belle wasn't always a menace to the media and actually was a popular teammate. Let's start with the second part. I'm not saying that Belle was loved by everyone who wore the uniform during his two seasons in Baltimore, but...
LeBlanc: "I just want to play ball"
LeBlanc: "I just want to play ball"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A world that no longer simulates normalcy during the coronavirus pandemic keeps tossing pitcher Wade LeBlanc in directions he couldn't imagine. From a professional standpoint, he settled for a minor league deal with the Orioles on Feb. 3 after the Mariners declined his $5 million option. He made $2.5 million in 2019 and is supposed to earn $800,000 this summer if he's on the club. The bonding process with teammates was interrupted in spring training with the March 12 shutdown. He participates...
After "magical" fall, Rizzos adapt to spring of confinement
After "magical" fall, Rizzos adapt to spring of confinement
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Mike Rizzo spends his life in motion. If he's not in his office at Nationals Park, he's in the clubhouse meeting with the coaching staff. Or he's on the field watching batting practice from right behind the cage. Or he's on the team charter flying to nearly every road game during a season. Or on the rare occasions he's not with the big league club, he's somewhere else in America watching a top college or high school prospect who's on the Nats' radar for the upcoming draft. What, though,...
Which player was most important/significant in O's history?
Which player was most important/significant in O's history?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
You could argue for hours which Oriole is the best of them all since the team arrived in Baltimore in 1954. Several players should get legit consideration. But for me, and today's blog, I asked myself this question: Who is the most important and significant player in Orioles history? Again, several worthy candidates. But my choice is Frank Robinson. All teams want to be able to make that trade that provides the final piece of the puzzle. To acquire the player that puts them over the...
Fredericksburg stadium baseball-ready for today's virtual opening day
Fredericksburg stadium baseball-ready for today's virtual opening day
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals will be hosting a virtual version of their opening day today. This was supposed to be opening day at their new, state-of-the-art facility, but all of baseball is currently in a shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The broadcast will be available on the Fredericksburg Nationals Facebook page. The page will be live at 9 a.m. and at 5:30 p.m. will show a tour of the new ballpark, ceremonies honoring local health care workers, and presentations from...
Revisiting the trade that brought Adam Eaton to the Nationals
Revisiting the trade that brought Adam Eaton to the Nationals
Byron Kerr
Nationals
It was one of the big trades of the 2016 winter meetings at National Harbor, Md. The Nationals sent three pitchers to the White Sox for outfielder Adam Eaton. In exchange, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López and Dane Dunning were traded to Chicago. Fast-forward to April 2020. Here is a quick look at how this trade in late 2016 affected both teams. The Nationals were in dire need of a starting outfielder who could be a workhorse at the top of the lineup. Eaton fit that bill. But a major injury to...