Through the “down” of the tail end of a seven game losing streak and through the “up” of a sweep of the New York Mets, the Washington Nationals off-field exploits, as always, remained a constant. Here they are:
1. The Nationals’ website says the Nats Youth Baseball Academy’s mission statement is “to use the sports of baseball and softball as vehicles to foster positive character development, academic achievement and improved health among youth from underserved communities in Washington, D.C..” The YBA has fulfilled its mission by all measures since its inaugural year. However, the academy also accomplishes in facilitating a steady stream of Nats players working with D.C. kids. The outcome is always darling because who doesn’t like seeing kids in awe of their favorite athletes?
(via @natsacademy) ・・・ It’s always a good day when Anthony Rendon comes to play!
A photo posted by @nationals on
2. As Drake once eloquently put it, “if you’re reading this, it’s too late.” A sentiment that holds true now as the window for All Star Game voting has passed, and with it, the chance to propel Wilson Ramos to the Midsummer Classic. But that doesn’t mean a chance to relive some of the promoting the Nationals did to get the catcher a boost in voting.
#VoteBuffalo … All the kids are doing it. https://t.co/Drbn0cg7w7 pic.twitter.com/wU6vTD1bLy
— #VoteNats (@Nationals) June 30, 2016
Just remember that if you didn’t vote for Willy, you disappointed this entire room of children wearing Vote Buffalo head bands.
Ramos also leads all catchers in RBI (41) and is tied for most HR (12). He’s only struck out 30 times. #VoteBuffalo pic.twitter.com/xax9N3RMjZ
— #VoteNats (@Nationals) June 28, 2016
@emaysway pic.twitter.com/dICGg9cBff
— #VoteNats (@Nationals) June 28, 2016
3. Little Joe La Rocca, who had a catch with Max Scherzer from the left field bleachers at Citi Field a few weeks ago, was back and has crossed over to the good side. And who wouldn’t? The good side has a six game lead in the NL East and Scherzer jerseys.
Remember Joseph La Rocca, the kid who played catch with @Max_Scherzer? He’s in the house and he’s seen the light. pic.twitter.com/Tz6tgKuzKG
— #VoteNats (@Nationals) June 29, 2016
4. In case Lucas Giolito’s four inning one hit debut wasn’t enough to fill your appetite for curveballs and MLB debuts, social media has got you covered. Everyone from prospect Spencer Kieboom to the Cespedes Family BBQ bloggers contributed to the social media hype surrounding the baby Gio’s premiere.
Get to know tonight’s starting pitcher, @LGio27. https://t.co/PsD41qeY25https://t.co/LOPMDNvgsn
— #VoteNats (@Nationals) June 28, 2016
The #Cut4RoadTrip caught up with @LGio27 to talk about his rain-shortened @MLB debut: https://t.co/0ZVwlMEUkj
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 30, 2016
Incredible last 24 hours. Would never have got here without the support of my incredible family, friends, teammates, coaches and #Nats fans!
— Lucas Giolito (@LGio27) June 29, 2016
Lucas Giolito’s deadly Curveball to Walker + The Nastiest Pitching GIFs from Tuesday’s Games https://t.co/7AHtno5vgD pic.twitter.com/pwxlXEbffy
— Pitcher List (@ThePitcherList) June 29, 2016
Dusty said Giolito kept coming into his office before the game to see when it might start.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) June 29, 2016
#SquadGoals 😎 💯#IBackTheNats pic.twitter.com/hMSus4AYXc
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) June 29, 2016
We’re sad too, buddy. 😞 #IBackTheNats pic.twitter.com/OxxQkfgftu
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) June 29, 2016
Mets broadcast talkin bout how Giolito’s about to fall apart, he’s so nervous, etc.
Lucas is all like pic.twitter.com/PBb1zStfCX
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) June 29, 2016
My best friend, my brother is making his MLB debut tomorrow & I couldn’t be more excited for him. @LGio27 #thebaker pic.twitter.com/opRk6SWsw4
— Spencer Kieboom (@KieBOOM22) June 28, 2016
5. Dusty Baker and company (Sammy Solis, Ben Revere, Chris Heisey, Clint Robinson, and possibly hitting coach Jacque Jones) stopped by to help out an MLB Player’s Trust camp. The Player’s Trust is a charitable foundation through which Major League players can contribute to communities in a variety of ways. Besides helping out with the camp, the resulting photos allowed for the reiteration of the fact that Revere is tiny and adorable.
Dusty Baker and a group of #Nats players stopped by the @MLBPlayersTrust #CityClinics this morning. pic.twitter.com/AjXj0xUsNU
— #VoteNats (@Nationals) June 28, 2016
6. Tradition is important, especially when that tradition involves good food and fun friends. Such is the case of the Zimmermann family’s customary tailgate to mark every time their brother Jordan (or F.P.) comes to play back home in Milwaukee. MASN commentator F.P. Santangelo always makes sure to get on the action too, making himself a staple of the time honored tradition.
Milwaukee tradition. Tailgating with Zimms bros. Thanks for the invite boys! #pheasantpoppersforthewin pic.twitter.com/AZN9Xiobj9
— F.P. Santangelo (@FightinHydrant) June 25, 2016
7. Jonathan Papelbon is a man of many personas: WWE hopeful, Johnny Jonathan, the D.C. Strangler, and now, Pap the Barista. After driving from a Woodbridge rehab start, Jonathon, tacky sunglasses and all, assumed the position of team barista in the Nationals dugout and continued the new practice of French press coffee started by Chris Heisey.
Wake up and smell the ☕, people. Your first-place #Nats are 47-32. pic.twitter.com/l5THbqCpht
— #VoteNats (@Nationals) June 30, 2016
“And I’ll have a venti blue Gatorade” pic.twitter.com/TMzwiIIzK8
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) June 30, 2016
He also served as groomer to the stars.
— Jayson Werth’s Beard (@JWerthsBeard) June 30, 2016
Jonathan even provided his minor league comrades with steak and a new sound system like some kind of cool uncle.
Spoke to some with the @PNats42 today. Apparently Pap bought the team steaks & upgraded the sound system in the clubhouse while he was there
— chad dukes (@chaddukes) June 30, 2016
8. The Nationals have a history of incorporating horse play into their handshakes (and no, that is not a Shawn Kelley/horse head reference). Towards the end of the 2015 season, Scherzer and Bryce Harper debuted their handshake that included a hearty hand around each others’ necks. On Wednesday night, be it by whim or by plan, Danny Espinosa playfully slapped the cheek of Jayson Werth after Werth scored Espinosa on a sac fly.
— Jayson Werth’s Beard (@JWerthsBeard) June 30, 2016
Thursday night after Espinosa smacked his second career grand slam, at the end of the Nationals dugout, both Espinosa and Werth engaged in a handshake that included the same gesture from the night before.
Every day is #Slapsgiving in D.C. pic.twitter.com/kgsZcX3kG7
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) July 1, 2016
Last and least, the Tweets of the Week:
Ron Jon Papelbon pic.twitter.com/knpOlIDACB
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) June 30, 2016
Hey, Lucas! You just struck out your first career batter. Tell me how it feels. pic.twitter.com/A251JrYBeP
— InternetContrarian (@bogcommenter) June 29, 2016
Dusty Baker’s advice for Lucas Giolito? “Like Hank Aaron told me: ‘Be nervous, but don’t be scared.'” #Nats
— Daniel Shiferaw (@dshif) June 28, 2016
Tags: Danny Espinosa, Jayson Werth, Max Scherzer, Nationals, Nats, Off-the-field recap, Washington Nationals, Wilson Ramosthe rangers are challenging a call at 2:40am and i’m in tears laughing so hard pic.twitter.com/y2O8j4j406
— Lana Berry (@Lana) June 28, 2016
Leave a Reply