Washington Nationals Thanks Fans for 2011…..

Video: nationals.com

The Washington Nationals play their last game of the regular 2011 season at Sun Life Stadium against the Florida Marlins. Today will be the last game played by the "Florida Marlins" before they officially become the "Miami Marlins" on November 11, 2011.

There will be a few festivities for "Closing Day" including a few current and former Nationals that once played or coached with Florida. See full list below from the Marlins website.

Wednesday, September 28 (4:10 p.m.) - 2011 Closing Day


Probable Pitchers: RHP Chris Volstad vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (subject to change)

Giveaways: The first 10,000 fans will receive a Marlins 2012 Magnetic Schedule courtesy of University of Miami Health System

FIRST PITCH: In honor of the Florida Marlins' inaugural game in 1993, Charlie Hough will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, to be caught by Benito Santiago. UHealth - University of Miami Health System representatives will throw out the first pitches, as well.

CEREMONIAL WALL TEARDOWN: The Marlins are counting down the number of remaining home games until the opening of the New Marlins Ballpark in 2012. The Marlins Wall Teardown, located in the left field wall at Sun Life Stadium, will feature celebrities, Marlins icons, former and current players, season ticket holders, members of the corporate family, as well as special guests, who will assist in unveiling the number of remaining games. The ceremony will take place in left field at the end of the 5th inning.

2011 MARLINS CLOSING DAY PRESENTED BY UHEALTH - UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HEALTH SYSTEM: After nineteen seasons, over 1,500 games and two World Series titles, the Marlins and their fans are ready to say goodbye to Sun Life Stadium. The team will be playing its final game as the Florida Marlins on Wednesday, September 28. The Club will evolve into the Miami Marlins on November 11th and officially open the doors to the New Marlins Ballpark in Miami next April. Closing Day will feature plenty of celebrations and fan entertainment as the Marlins face off against the Washington Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 P.M. and the first 10,000 fans get a Miami Marlins 2012 Magnetic Schedule, courtesy of UHealth - University of Miami Health System. Throughout the game, fans can win Florida Marlins autographed and game-used memorabilia. To commemorate the 19 seasons as the Florida Marlins, the Club will host a special post-game on-field ceremony, during which the Florida Marlins All-Time team will be unveiled, as selected by the fans in an online voting campaign. The historic Closing Day will also feature the Top 10 Memories in Florida Marlins history, also voted on by the fans.

Current and former players and coaches will come together to celebrate this great milestone in the history of the franchise. Current and former players and coaches scheduled to attend include: Kurt Abbott, Antonio Alfonseca, Moises Alou, Alfredo Amezaga, Alex Arias, Bruce Aven, Ricky Bones, Bobby Bonilla, Kevin Brown, John Cangelosi, Jorge Cantu, Luis Castillo, Greg Colbrunn, Jeff Conine, Reid Cornelius, Darren Daulton, Andre Dawson, Jorge Fabregas, Alex Fernandez, Cliff Floyd, Chris Hammond, Lenny Harris, Bryan Harvey, Rick Helling, Livan Hernandez, Charlie Hough, Charles Johnson, Josh Johnson, Logan Kensing, Rene Lachemann, Al Leiter, Mike Lowell, Josias Manzanillo, Jack McKeon, Dan Meyer, Mike Mordecai, Robb Nen, Vladimir Nunez, Tony Perez, Mike Piazza, Scott Pose, Jay Powell, Hanley Ramirez, Pat Rapp, Mark Redman, Ivan Rodriguez, Cookie Rojas, Wayne Rosenthal, Benito Santiago, Tony Saunders, Gary Sheffield, Tony Taylor, Michael Tejera, Mark Wiley and Preston Wilson. (List is subject to change)

The Marlins won 3-2 with a walk-off homer by Bryan Petersen. With the loss, it is not possible for the Washington Nationals to finish over .500. Nats current record is 79-81 (one game was not made up so there are only a total 161 games).  With a win last night and today, the Nats would have finished over .500 for the first time since moving to DC.

A few photos from Nationals v. Marlins game on Tuesday, September 27, 2011.

Jose Martinez

Jeff Conine (aka "Mr. Marlin")

Jonny Gomes and his mohawk during National Anthem

Happy 27th Birthday John Lannan!

Lots of water accumulated on field and grounds crew worked hard to repair damage

We met the Marlins "Santa"

Former National Emilio Bonifacio

3B Coach Bo Porter

(With Ozzie Guillen looking like he'll be the next Marlins

Manager, hopefully Bo stays in DC!)

Steve Lombardozzi played 3rd base while Ryan Zimmerman rode the pine

Doug Slaten pitched the 9th inning (game was tied at two)

With one out shy of extra innings, Slaten gave up a solo shot

to Bryan Petersen (his second of the season)

The attendance was 21,902, however, I have no idea where 17,000 of those people were sitting.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2011, the last baseball game will be played at Sun Life Stadium. It is also the last game for the "Florida Marlins" who will officially become the "Miami Marlins" on November 11, 2011.

If you've never been to Sun Life Stadium (previously known as Land Shark, Joe Robbie, etc.), it is a multipurpose stadium and home to the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami football and Florida Marlins. It definitely reminds me of good 'ol RFK.

Here are a few photos of Sun Life Stadium on the second to last home game.

HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY RYAN ZIMMERMAN!
(Born on 9/28/1984 in Washington, NC)

Zimmerman the Face of the Franchise


Zimmerman the Silver Slugger


Zimmerman the Gold Glove


Zimmerman the Teammate and Role Model


Zimmerman = Mr. Walk Off


Zimmerman the All-Star


Zimmerman the Idol


Zim's Gold Glove Award


Zim's Silver Slugger Award

Photos © Cheryl Nichols Photography/
Nats News Network. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY JOHN LANNAN!

(Born on 9/27/1984 in Manhasset, NY)

John Lannan chatting with Paula Deen at Nats event in 2010


John gives back to the community including
his own program called "Lannan's Cannons."

And of course, John Lannan is the infamous shaving pie bandit. :)

Photos © Cheryl Nichols Photography/
Nats News Network. All Rights Reserved.

HONDO IS A HOUND

Hounds Welcome Frank Howard To Our Team

Dulles, VA – September 22, 2011 – The Loudoun Hounds Professional Baseball Club is proud to announce that Frank “Hondo” Howard, a legend in D.C.'s sports history and a dedicated baseball player, coach and advisor, has joined the Hounds as a Corporate Advisor and Ambassador. Mr. Howard's duties will include public and media appearances on behalf of the Hounds, as well as offering his accumulated wisdom toward bringing the baseball business to Northern Virginia.

“Baseball is in my blood,” said Howard. “When the Hounds approached me about this opportunity I was extremely excited because I understand what independent professional baseball will mean to this area. Loudoun County needs this type of affordable, fan-friendly entertainment and it’s clear that with all they have done over the last several months, Loudoun is clearly Hounds territory.”

For decades, Frank has been the face of baseball in the Washington, D.C. area. Indeed his nickname “The Washington Monument” says as much about his baseball knowledge and personality as it does his physical stature. Howard certainly knows baseball having played for 16 years in the Major Leagues and having been a manager, coach or advisor for the better part of three decades. Howard also already knows Loudoun County having resided here for several years.

“Frank Howard is an amazing man, a baseball treasure and is extremely respected in the baseball world. He will be a tremendous Advisor and Ambassador for the Hounds,” noted Bob Farren, CEO and President of the Hounds. “We have been fortunate to have baseball legends involved with the Hounds, including the late Harmon Killebrew. We are honored that Loudoun’s own Frank Howard and his wife Donna are joining our family and we look forward to working with them to promote and support your Loudoun Hounds.”

Hondo at Hounds Fanfest, 2/13/2011

HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY IAN DESMOND!

(Born 9/20/1985 in Sarasota, FL)

Photos © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Nats News Network.
All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY STEVE LOMBARDOZZI!

(Born 9/20/1988 in Fulton, MD)

MLB Debut 9/6/2011

Photo 2011 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Nats News Network.
All Rights Reserved.

THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA PRESENTS

OPERA IN THE OUTFIELD AT NATIONALS PARK

The Washington National Opera, in cooperation with the Washington Nationals, will present the fourth-annual Opera in the Outfield at Nationals Park with a live broadcast of the Opera’s production of Tosca on Thursday, September 22.

The event is free and open to the public. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for “pregame” activities, including entertainment and giveaways. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., fans can enjoy the simulcast while sitting on the outfield grass and in the stands. The Italian opera will feature English subtitles on the Nationals Park HD Video Board.

In addition, guests will be treated to live performances by community youth groups including Greenbelt’s S.I.T.Y. Stars double-dutch team, the Yorktown High School Marching Band of Arlington, Va., and the Taratibu Pan-African Step Team of Washington D.C. Attendees will also have the chance to win prizes including a VIP suite for a Nationals game and tickets to Kennedy Center performances, including Les Misérables, The Nutcracker, and a National Symphony Orchestra concert.

For more information on the event, please refer to the attached press release or visit www.operaintheoutfield.com.

HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY SEAN BURNETT!

(Born 9/17/1982 in Dunedin, FL)

Photo 2011 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Nats News Network.
All Rights Reserved.

Wear your green and join us at Nationals Park for a "Halfway to St. Paddy's Day" celebration on Saturday, September 17. 

Half-price tickets, half-price beer specials and half-price hot dogs will be available. Bring the Nationals good luck as they take on the Marlins at 7:05 p.m. 

Select seating areas and locations. Subject to availability and while supplies last. Some restrictions apply. Tickets must be purchased in advance either online or at the Box Office.

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CONGRATS BRYCE HARPER!

Bryce Harper was voted a the Most Outstanding MLB Prospect in the South Atlantic League.

Harper, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 Draft, batted .318 with 82 hits, 14 home runs, 46 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 72 games before being promoted to Double-A Harrisburg. He was a mid-season All-Star and SAL Player of the Week on May 9 as well.

See other SAL awards here.