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Off-The-Field Recap: Patriotic Edition!

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Danny Espinosa recorded 15 RBIs against the Cincinnati Reds this week, landing him tied for third most in a four-game series. Espinosa’s feat has as much inspiration and charm as a picture of Joe Biden in aviators eating an ice cream cone. On its good weeks, baseball doesn’t just impart inspiration and charm on the field, but off it too.

1. Bryce Harper isn’t always what MLB guidelines stipulate he should be. If he was, Harper probably wouldn’t have celebrated Clint Robinson’s walk-off bomb against the Detroit Tigers way back on May 9, and he probably wouldn’t have swatted a home run with a patriotically decorated bat last July 4. Harper seems to be making an effort, however, by refraining from using the similarly patriotic bat this July 4. But of course, in the instagram post explaining his decision, Harper also discusses his feelings about the troops, America, and his hopes for change in MLB’s stifling rules.


2. Those who make a point of steering clear of Fox broadcasters who defend choking players who don’t run 100% on every fly ball might have missed Max Scherzer’s in-game interview with the Fox broadcast booth on Saturday. Scherzer responds to a medley of questions and even shuts CJ Nitkowski down about the non-existent dangers of pitchers participating in a home run derby.

3. On the eve of July 4, the Nationals twitter account posted a video that details a few players’ favorite Fourth of July memories. The clip ends up informing viewers of some imperative baseball information: Ryan Zimmerman isn’t a morning person, Blake Treinen was raised as a competitive fireworker, and Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon are both into July 4th fashion.

4. Dan Kolko is a giver. He gives and gives throughout the season. Most of that giving comes by way of antics like running as Tom Jefferson in the Geico Presidents Race, but hey, giving is giving. When a Chris Heisey foul liner came at Kolko, the sideline reporter gave again:

5. Bryce Harper has a lot of experience with trophies, and Jose Lobaton’s son has a lot of experience being adorable. So, when Lobaton posted a picture of the two on instagram, the outcome was obviously Harper thrusting Little Loby in the air, just how one would handle an MVP plaque.

Con su pana

A photo posted by Jose (@joselobaton59) on


6. Little Loby is a regular star on his dad’s instagram. He’s consistently adorable, whether that’s at the zoo, or making pizza with his family, or in the arms of the NL MVP. On the evening of July 3, Nats families gathered on the field at Nats park, which was the perfect stage for Little Loby to shine.

Corre corre.

A video posted by Jose (@joselobaton59) on


Also in the background, as a bonus, seems to be Felipe Rivero letting his little one get in some pitching work.

7. The Fourth of July tends to bring out eccentric outfits to express patriotism. MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo at least thought about getting in on the tradition. Not many would deny that Santangelo has stayed in shape past his playing days, but it’d be hard to say many would be able to get past a get up like this.

8. ESPN senior writer Eddie Matz facilitated the Nationals’ midseason superlatives, chosen by none other than Bryce Harper himself. As Matz notes, Harper received his GED, so he never had the chance to be voted Most Likely to be Voted Youngest Unanimous MVP. But Matz gives Harper his chance to at least experience awarding his teammates with superlatives. Thanks to the piece, we most importantly learned that Blake Treinen has dance moves that he’s selfishly been hiding.

Last and least, the Tweets of the Week:

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About Author

Mina Dunn

I watched the Orioles until I was ten when I realized that (most) fans at RFK didn’t shout letters during the National Anthem. I’m a Public Relations and Economics major at VCU, the associate managing editor at TNB, and a sports columnist for a student newspaper. Be my friend on Twitter dot com: @maddc8.

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