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Off-The-Field Recap: Giolito Time

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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?

Had a great time with everybody today at the @nationals youth academy🙌🏼 #PlayBall

A photo posted by Bryce Harper (@bharper3407) on

(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.

Just remember that if you didn’t vote for Willy, you disappointed this entire room of children wearing Vote Buffalo head bands.

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.

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.

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.


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.

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.

He also served as groomer to the stars.

Jonathan even provided his minor league comrades with steak and a new sound system like some kind of cool uncle.

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.

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.

Last and least, the Tweets of the Week:

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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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