Bill Ladson reported today via Twitter that the Nats' Winter Caravan will take place Jan. 27-30, concluding with the second Annual NatsFest on Jan. 31 at Nationals Park. Participating players are expected to be announced in early January.

Note: If you are a Caps fan too, you will have a very busy last week of January.  Caps play at home on 27th (Ducks), 29th (Panthers) and on Sunday, 31st at 3pm (Lightning).

Link to a Winter Caravan Event from last season: Nats Cook-Off at ESPN Zone on Jan. 23, 2009.  All photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Updated 12/17/2009: Transcript of today's live chat with Rizzo online.

If you were not able to ask Nationals President Stan Kasten a question while he was guest hosting for Mike Wise on the Mike Wise Show on 106.7 FM on Tuesday, you can hold that question for this Thursday. 

The Nationals GM Mike Rizzo will be chatting live with fans on Thursday, Dec. 17 at noon ET to discuss the Nationals' recent signings, winter meetings and other Hot Stove topics for the off-season.  The chatroom will open at 11 a.m. ET for you to pre-submit your questions.

If you don't already have an mlb.com account, register here for one now to be a Nationals Insider (required for chat and free).

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Nats President Stan Kasten is filling in today on the The Mike Wise Show on 106.7FM "The Fan" from 10am-2pm.  They just announced some of today's guests....Adam Dunn, Jim Riggleman, Tom Glavine, Lisa Hillary (Comcast) and Tim Kurkjian.  You can also listen online.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Ryan Zimmerman has been nominated for "Best Defense" in MLB's "This Year in Baseball" Awards! Vote for Zim here.

Also vote for Teddy in “2009 Oddity of the Year” category  - July 31 take-down of Teddy Roosevelt by the Pittsburgh Racing Pierogies at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park.

You can even vote for new Nationals Ivan "Pudge" Rodiguez in the Moment of the Year category.  On June 17, 2009, Pudge set the all-time mark for games caught with 2,227 passing Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk.

Today, Friday, December 11 is the last day to vote.

Are you a Nationals season-ticket holder? Show your season ticket holder card at ESPN Zone’s Sports Arena, and you’ll receive a special game card good for two free games per day!

HAPPY 32ND BIRTHDAY SAUL!

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Nationals News Network sends condolences to Elijah Dukes and his family during this tough time. 

Elijah's father, Elijah "David" Dukes Sr., 43 was just released from prison on Nov. 1, after serving 14 years for murder, and died of cancer just three weeks later, with the disease apparently going undetected and untreated while he was in prison.  Sources say that Dukes was excited to have his father see him play Major League Baseball for the first time.

See article for more.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Congratulations to Ryan Zimmerman!

Photo © 2009 Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved

Ryan Zimmerman is the recipient of a 2010 Jefferson Award for Public Service  which recognizes the top athletes who have given back to their community.

The 10 "Dream Team For Public Service" winners (among 53 nominees) were selected by the prestigious Jefferson Award board and public voting:

Nnamdi Asomugha (Lafayette, LA.), defensive back, Oakland Raiders, NFL
Curtis Granderson (Chicago), all-star outfielder Detroit Tigers, MLB
Stuart Holden (Houston), forward, Houston Dynamo, MLS
Dwight Howard (Orlando, FL), all-star forward, Orlando Magic, NBA
Dirk Nowitzki (Wurzburg, Germany), all-star forward, Dallas Mavericks, NBA
Tyrus Thomas (Baton Rouge, LA), forward, Chicago Bulls, NBA
Justin Tuck (Coosa County, AL) all-pro defensive end, New York Giants, NFL
Lauryn Williams (Rochester, PA), Olympian and World Champion sprinter
Venus Williams (Palm Beach Gardens, FL), Olympian and Grand Slam champion, WTA
Ryan Zimmerman (Washington, NC) all-star third baseman, Washington Nationals, MLB

In addition, two top winners will be honored at the national Jefferson Awards ceremony June 22nd in Washington, D.C. Past Jefferson Awards winners include four Supreme Court Justices, seven Secretaries of State; as well as Oprah Winfrey, Alan Greenspan, Peyton Manning, Colin Powell, Lance Armstrong, Barbara Bush and Bill and Melinda Gates.

Zimmerman won the Heart & Hustle Award in Aug.
Photo © 2009 Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved

Click here to see the full press release.

The Nationals are partnering with Serve DC to host the One Warm Coat Drive at Nationals Park from Nov. 5-Dec. 11.

The Nationals Park Team Store, located at the Center Field Plaza Gates, will serve as a drop-off point for clean, reusable coats and jackets to be donated to District adults and children free of charge. All coats will be distributed by the local non-profit organization Coalition For the Homeless. The drive is a national community-service effort organized by One Warm Coat Foundation.

Serve DC collected more than 500 coats during the 2008 drive. This will be the first time the Nationals participate in the event.

Team Store hours for the event will be as follows: Nov. 5-25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays-Fridays; Nov. 27 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Nov. 30-Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays-Fridays.

Press Release from MLB Network -

The Washington Nationals will be featured as part of MLB Network’s “30 Clubs, 30 Recaps” segment during “Hot Stove” tonight, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. Analysts Al Leiter, Billy Ripken and Dan Plesac will go back through the Nationals’ 2009 season and discuss the team’s hitting, defense, starting pitching and bullpen.

Each episode of “Hot Stove” during the offseason will feature a new edition of “30 Clubs, 30 Recaps.” Tonight’s episode will re-air at 7:00 p.m. ET and at 10:00 p.m. ET. For more information, please go to www.mlbnetwork.com.

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY ADAM!
(And "Hook 'em Horns!")


Photo © 2009 Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN MAXWELL!

Washingtonian magazine has John Lannan on their guest list for November 2009!  The guest list is their monthly roundup of people they would like to have over for drinks, food, and conversation.

"The only one of the Nationals' 30 pitchers to last the entire season, he might have suggestions for a better season next year." [See November, 2009 isse of Washingtonian, page 9]

Washington Nationals Starting Pitchers John Lannan and Craig Stammen lived with local host families while playing with the Potomac Nationals.  Here is a nice article from the September 2009 issue of Washingtonian about their experience.

Because the players monthly salary won't cover the cost of an apartment, most minor-league players live with local host families who volunteer to take a player into their home for the summer.  The host family's responsibility is to feed them, provide transportation to the field and make them feel at home so that they can concentrate on their dream of becoming a big leaguer.

Ever thought about hosting minor-league baseball players?  From the end of the Washingtonian piece, here is how to get information:

Bowie Baysox (affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles). Contact assistant general manager Phil Wrye at 301-805-6000.

Delmarva Shorebirds (affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles). The host-family program is run through the Shorebirds’ fan club, which has an information table at every home game. Or you can call club president Gil Dunn at 410-749-2515.

Frederick Keys (affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles). Call office manager Barb Freund at 301-662-0013 to fill out a basic questionnaire. Freund puts together information packets for the players, who contact families directly.

Potomac Nationals (affiliated with the Washington Nationals). Information is available on the team’s booster-club Web site, or you can contact club president Lamar Boone at 540-788-4329 or wlboone@crosslink.net

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (not affiliated with a major-league team).The Blue Crabs, currently in their second season, especially need host families. Players are eligible to be signed by any major-league organization, so the team has a lot of turnover. Interested families should contact marketing manager Courtney Freeland at 301-374-1130 or cfreeland@somdbluecrabs.com.

HALLOWEEN TREATS FOR NATS FANS!

Zim, Frank and Frank will be at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia on Sunday, November 1 for the Collectors' Showcase of America.  Autograph tickets are available for advanced purchase online.  Show admission is $5.  Now is your chance to get that something special signed by your favorite Nats.

Ryan Zimmerman - 1-2:30pm ($10-$99-see website)
Frank Howard - 12:30-2pm ($15)
Frank Robinson - 11am-12pm ($99-$199-see website)

There will several other retired MLB players, as well as other DC current and former sports celebrities.  See link for schedule.

Real World Nats Park?  Fever Pitch Nats style?

Do you consider yourself a devoted Nats fan?  Do you plan your life around Nats games and events?  When you plan a vacation, do you look at the Nats schedule to coordinate out-of-town games with trips?  Do you go to Florida for spring training?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should think about applying.  Keep reading for more info.


IMG Studios, a respected, established production company in Washington DC, is casting for a TV series about die-hard Nationals fans who have such an intense devotion to the lovable Nats that they have had trouble balancing their “real life” responsibilities with their devotion for their team.

The person or group of friends must find it hard to balance an active social life, romantic relationship, work or family with the “other person” (Nationals) in their life. They must be willing to participate in a reality series that follows them for a specific period of time, and cannot be camera shy.

If you are interested in being a part of this reality series for television, please send IMG a biographical paragraph and photo to muvena@interfacemedia.com.

Photo © 2009 Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Nationals News Network congratulates Manny Acta on his new job as Manager of the Cleveland Indians.  We wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him in Cleveland when the Nats visit Progressive Field in mid-June.

Photo © 2008 C. Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Photo © 2009 C. Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Posted by Cheryl Nichols

The fall weather is upon us now so this weekend is perfect timing for heading to a pumpkin patch and picking out the perfect pumpkin.  Fans can even download the Nats stencils and show your Nats pride by carving a Nats pumpkin!

Enter the Nationals Pumpkin Carving Contest by Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. ET. for a chance to win an official 2009 game worn Nationals jersey and hat.

For some ideas, click here to see last year's finalists.  #2 was selected as the winner.  Good Luck!




Last year, my pumpkin didn't make the Nationals top five finalists, however, was featured on WJLA news!

The first 10,000 will receive the 2009 team photo for the Monday, Sept 28 game against Mets.  Don't forget to "Get Your Red On!"

REMEMBER TO GET YOUR RED ON ALL WEEKEND!

The Washington Nationals will host the Second Annual Gospel Music Fest, a post-game concert and family-oriented event, following the Nationals contest vs. the Atlanta Braves on September 26 at 1:05pm. The musical showcase will feature song selections and performances by the gospel choirs from the Community of Hope A.M.E. Church, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, New Community Church of God in Christ, Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, and the Collective Banking Group Ensemble Choir, accompanied by Sgt. 1st class senior vocalist, Antonio Giuliano. Gospel music composer, musician and harpist Jeff Majors will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

All fans attending Sunday afternoon’s game are welcome to stay for the post-game concert. Set-up will begin immediately following the final out of the game. The Nats Family Fun Area, including the Kids Jungle Gym, Build-A-Bear Workshop and ExxonMobil StrikeZone will remain open until the start of the concert. Ben’s Chili Bowl and the Grand Slam Grill (located behind Sections 109 and 110) will remain open throughout the event.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets may visit www.nationals.com/gospel. Tickets are available at a discounted rate in the Upper & Lower RF Terrace (Sections 222 through 236), Scoreboard Pavilion (Sections 237 through 243), RF Mezzanine (Sections 223 through 235) and LF Box (Sections 103 through 107). Post-game concert tickets will not be sold separately.

The Washington Nationals will host the Oktoberfest End-of-Season Party Presented by Hard Times Cafe and Budweiser American Ale on Thursday, September 24, when the Nationals face the L.A. Dodgers. The event will take place on the Rooftop Party Deck, located on top of Nationals Park Garage B, from 4:30pm – 7:05pm.

Tickets may be purchased here for $25 and include a Scoreboard Pavilion seat (normally $22) and access to the pregame event. Guest may enjoy complimentary food and drinks provided by Hard Times Cafe and Anheuser-Busch, music and dancing. Pregame event may not be purchased separately.

If not, consider donating them and create future Nats fans!

The Nats are in partnership with Most Valuable Kids, a non-profit ticket distribution organization. Not only can any unused tickets be mailed in or dropped off that they wish to donate to area non-profits but tickets may also be mailed in or turned in to the Community Relations department at least 48-72 hours in advance of the game. They can also be transferred on-line.

In 2007, over 11,200 tickets were donated by Nats season-ticket holders.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

The Washington Nationals will host a Star-Spangled Sing-Off at ESPN Zone on Wednesday, August 26 at 6:00pm.


Contestants will compete to sing the National Anthem at an upcoming Nationals home game. Each contestant will have the opportunity to sing 30 seconds of a song of their choice.

Judges will choose the top five competitors, who will then perform their rendition of the National Anthem. The winner will be selected and given the opportunity to perform in front of Nationals fans at a remaining home game. Interested participants should visit www.espnzone.com/washingtondc.

ESPN Zone, 555 12th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

There are several fun events scheduled for this weekend for the four series showdown with the Chicago Cubs.

"Get Your Red On" this weekend - During this series the Nats will be wearing the alternate red uniforms to help celebrate the renewed spirit of the Get Your Red On campaign. The club is also encouraging fans to wear red for these games in order to show continued support and allegiance to the team.

The Washington Nationals will host the Fourth Annual Christmas in July Toy Drive Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19, benefitting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Volunteers from the U.S. Marines and the Nationals will be present at the Nationals Park Center Field Gates to accept donations of new, unwrapped toys from gate opening through the end of the fourth inning. The toys collected will be distributed to needy families in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Region. Nationals fans donated more than 2,000 toys and $19,000 in 2008

Washington Nationals Pitcher John Lannan will visit with fans and pet-lovers at the Alexandria Petco on Saturday, July 18 from 10:00am – noon. John will sign autographs and pose for photos with fans and their pets during the appearance. Drafted by the Nationals in 2005, John is in his second full season in the team’s Starting Rotation and holds a 6-6 record at the halfway point of 2009 with an ERA of 3.70. John grew up surrounded by rescued animals and is currently the owner of a French bulldog-beagle mix named Bailey. The Washington Humane Society will also be in attendance with their mobile adoption unit for those looking for a new pet in their life. Petco is located at 6612 Richmond Highway in Alexandria, VA.

The Washington Nationals will participate in Baseball Family Day at the National Portrait Gallery for the third consecutive year on Saturday, July 18. Nationals Catcher Josh Bard and Outfielder Josh Willingham will answer questions and pose for pictures with the children in attendance from 11:30am – 1:00pm. The event will feature baseball-themed games, arts and crafts, and music. Guests may also enter to win autographed baseballs from Bard and Willingham. Also meet author Fred Bowen and have him sign a copy of one of his books about baseball. The National Portrait Gallery is located at 9th and G Streets, NW, Washington, DC.

Are you a fan of cooking shows? The Nats and Levy Restaurants team up with Food Network to bring the first-ever Grill-Off to Nationals Park on Sunday, July 19. Phil Bucco, Levy Restaurant's chef at Nationals Park, will compete with Teddy Folkman, Executive Chef and co-owner of Granville Moore's Gastropub. Folkman was a Next Food Network Star finalist this season. He will be joined by fellow finalist Eddie Gilbert, who will emcee the event. You can catch the Grill Off at the Nats Family Fun Area prior to Sunday's game against the Cubs. Get there early and you may be selected to be a guest judge! The competition begins at noon with plates to be judged at 1:00 p.m. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. Click here for more information.

The Washington Nationals will continue their monthly health initiatives campaign with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Lou Gehrig's Disease) and MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Month. The team has partnered with the ALS Association and MS Society for the month of July to raise awareness and funds for research, and ultimately a cure. Click here for more information.

Help Becky's Fund strike out domestic violence. Did you know one in three women are affected by domestic violence during their lifetime? Join Becky's Fund and the Nationals on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 6:35 p.m. for first ever Domestic Violence Awareness Day when the Nationals take on the Atlanta Braves.

Autographed items, t-shirts and more will be raffled, along with an opportunity to join the Nats for batting practice. Buy your ticket now.

There is no better time than now to take a stance against domestic violence! Check out their website to learn more information about domestic violence and see how you can personally make a difference.

Major League Baseball, PEOPLE and the Washington Nationals today announced Dr. John Glaspy as the Nationals “All-Star” of the “All-Stars Among Us” campaign, which recognizes individuals who are serving their communities in extraordinary ways.

Dr. Glaspy will be honored during the pre-game ceremony at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14 on FOX, at which President Barack Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.The “All-Stars Among Us” program is central to the 2009 MLB All-Star Summer events dedicated to charitable initiatives and recognition of the important role of community service.

Dr. Glaspy is a strong voice for cancer patients and their families and works to dispel the social isolation that often affects them. His ideas inspired Stand Up To Cancer, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that awards grants to researchers that could change the face of cancer treatment.Dr. Glaspy travels to Washington frequently for work and began following the Nationals when they returned to the District in 2005.

“The All-Stars Among Us winners are making a significant impact in their communities with a selfless dedication to very important causes,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “Major League Baseball is proud to honor this impressive group of people whose achievements demonstrate the renewed sense of community service that will make our nation an example for the world.”

The Washington Nationals collected over 1,100 neckties during their first-ever tie drive on Thursday, June 25 during their game against the Boston Red Sox. The collected ties will benefit Career Gear, a non-profit organization that serves disadvantaged and underserved men in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.

The Nationals partnership with Career Gear includes the collection of suits and ties from on-field personnel and front office staff. Additionally, Career Gear will identify a beneficiary to receive a suit made by a tailor used by Nationals players to be presented during a pre-game recognition ceremony at the end of the baseball team’s season.

“Washington Nationals fans continue to demonstrate their incredible generosity with their contributions to another successful drive,” said Nationals Vice President of Communications and Community Relations Chartese Burnett. “Throughout the team’s five years in the District, our fans have stepped up to the plate time and again to help those less fortunate then themselves.”

MASN and Acta bring NatsTown to Boys Town on Friday

(Washington D.C.) -- On Friday, June 26th, Nationals Manager Manny Acta will speak to area youth at Boys Town Washington D.C. as part of his continuing relationship with MASN.

His talk "How Life is a lot like Baseball," will offer words of inspiration to the children. Acta will also sign autographs, take pictures and distribute Nationals baseball caps to the children and youth.

MASN will donate tickets to Saturday's Nationals vs. Orioles game to each of the participants. Several dozen children are expected to participate in the event, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at Boys Town Washington D.C. in northeast Washington.

WHO: Manny Acta, Nationals Manager and MASN
WHEN: Friday, June 26, 2009, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Boys Town Washington, D.C., 4801 Sargent Rd, NE, Washington, DC

For more info, please visit MASN.com

Nats catcher Wil Nieves appeared at the ESPNZone downtown today in a Q&A with fans, moderated by radio play-by-play Charlie Slowes.

Nieves took fan questions regarding his preparation, his day-to-day routine, influences growing up, and attitude of the team.

Nieves is one of the more personable players on the team, and stressed at different times during the Q&A how much the team, and he personally, appreciates the fans of the Washington Nationals and thinks the team is very close to being able to compete in the NL East.

As part of the Washington Nationals winter caravan, some of the team stopped at ESPN Zone downtown and participated in a cook-off. Willie Harris was named the Nats' Top Chef!