Washington Nationals Thanks Fans for 2011…..

Video: nationals.com

Bryce Harper Interview at All-Star Game FanFest

Bryce Harper Tours Phoenix, plays basketball with Dan Majerle, 
visit St. Joseph's Hospital and stops by All-Star Game FanFest.

Updated: 6/17/2011: Adam LaRoche's wife Jennifer LaRoche talks about the donations collected. The LaRoche family is from Fort Scott, which is close to Joplin, Missouri.  Fans can donate cash through the weekend in Center Field Plaza. Look for the Nats First Ladies.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS LAUNCH TORNADO RELIEF CAMPAIGN

The Washington Nationals will launch a special initiative to support relief efforts in areas devastated by recent tornadoes. During the team’s series against the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles from June 14 to June 19, a portion of proceeds from tickets purchased at nationals.com/relief will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

Tickets eligible for the donation include:
· LF/RF Baseline Reserved
· LF/RF Corner
· Outfield Reserved
· Scoreboard Pavilion

In addition, Red Cross volunteers will be on hand during both series to collect donations.

Help support the families affected by the recent tornadoes in the Midwest.

Updated: 6/17/2011: Adam LaRoche's wife Jennifer LaRoche talks about the donations collected. Fans can donate cash through the weekend in Center Field Plaza. Look for the Nats First Ladies.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS LAUNCH TORNADO RELIEF CAMPAIGN

The Washington Nationals will launch a special initiative to support relief efforts in areas devastated by recent tornadoes. During the team’s series against the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles from June 14 to June 19, a portion of proceeds from tickets purchased at nationals.com/relief will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

Tickets eligible for the donation include:
· LF/RF Baseline Reserved
· LF/RF Corner
· Outfield Reserved
· Scoreboard Pavilion

In addition, Red Cross volunteers will be on hand during both series to collect donations.

Help support the families affected by the recent tornadoes in the Midwest.

Closer Drew Storen launched a campaign to make the Washington Nationals America's Team. See video.

Bryce Harper was hit by a pitch in his first at bat yesterday, Sunday, June 5, 2011 and left the game. The Hagerstown Suns hosted the Greensboro Grasshoppers again tonight and Harper was back in the lineup. 

Bryce blasted a homer in the sixth inning and between third and home plate, blows a kiss at the pitcher. That type of behavior will only cause more HBP. Please stay classy and sportsmanlike Bryce.

Just a quick post to add to the "Nyjer Morgan got traded to the Brewers" posts.


Most Nats fans have heard that Nyjer Morgan, now 30 years old, used to play hockey when he was younger, however, probably haven't seen this video of a 19 year old Morgan playing in the WHL.  This is a great find and hat tip to @AltaKocker for video link.

Morgan left home at age 16 to play junior hockey for four years and reached the Western Hockey League (WHL) level.  He played seven games as a forward for the Regina Pats in 1999-2000 and scored two goals, both in his first game.


Nyjer Morgan spoke with Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro on "The Sports Fix" last January during the 2010 Nats Caravan and they start off talking about hockey.  Nyjer is a big hockey fan and became hooked on hockey while he watched the Winter Olympics in Calgary on TV.  Morgan remains loyal to his San Jose Sharks, but the Caps are second.  You can listen to the nine minute interview here. Nyjer Morgan on The Sports Fix

It is easy to see why Morgan became an instant fan favorite after being traded to Washington from Pittsburgh in June 2009.  Morgan's smile and enthusiasm are contagious.  Things changed since then and now it is time to move past the Tony Plush era. 

The Washington Nationals are approaching their seventh season since moving to DC from Montreal and are unveiling the fourth round of jersey changes on Wednesday night, November 10.

Washington Nationals players Tyler Clippard, Ian Desmond, John Lannan, Drew Storen, Ryan Zimmerman and Jordan Zimmermann will join Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo in unveiling the team’s new uniforms during an exclusive fashion show.

This first-of-its-kind event at the ballpark will include a pre-show cocktail reception and raffle drawing. Following the fashion show, invited guests will have the opportunity to mingle with players and purchase the new jerseys. The invitation-only affair will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Stars and Stripes Club at Nationals Park. 

Nationals players will also take part in an autograph session the next morning, Thursday, November 11, at the Nationals Park Team Store. Select players will be on hand to sign autographs and meet fans from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (one player each half hour).

The Nationals Park Team Store will be the ONLY place in town to purchase new Nationals jerseys from November 11 to November 17. Fans will also receive 15% off the price of a new Nationals jersey when they trade in any MLB jersey at the Team Store through December 1.

STORE HOURS:
Thursday, Nov. 11 – Saturday, Nov. 20: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 22 – Friday, Nov. 31: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Store will be closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours are subject to change.

There is a lot of speculation as to what will be revealed on Wednesday night.  The inaugural season of 2005 introduced the home whites with block letters and that is the only uniform that has remained the same (except for changing fabric to quick-dry). Many think that the home whites will change the block letter to script and remove the gold. 

Photos of the prototype jersey were circulated on Twitter over the last couple of weeks and I was not sure of the origin, however, thanks to a comment on this post, got my answer and have removed the photos. You can see the prototype jersey here, which is pretty much what I was expecting to see tonight. What do you think?  Could the hat look like this?

Keep in mind that players may change their numbers too so wait to confirm before purchasing a jersey. There are plenty of fans that bought the Zimmerman #25 jerseys after Ryan wore that number during his September call up in 2005, however, changed to #11 in 2006.  Pitcher Drew Storen announced that he changed his number from #58 to #25.

Here is a stroll down memory lane for you of the previous jersey unveilings in 2005 and 2008.

After the first season, the Nationals unveiled new blue spring training jerseys and caps with interlocking DC and the red alternated and cap with interlocking DC.  The November 19, 2005 event was open to the public at Modell's in the Springfield Mall.  Charlie Slowes was emcee and Nationals OF Jose Guillen and Relief Pitcher Gary Majewski modeled the new jerseys for fans. If you missed the event, here are a few photos and video. Enjoy.

Fans at Modell's at Springfield Mall, 11/19/2005

OF Jose Guillen and RRP Gary Majewski about to unveil new jerseys in 11/19/2005

Gary Majewski modeling the new blue spring training jersey

and cap with interlocking DC, 11/19/2005

Charlie Slowes with Jose Guillen modeling the

new red alternate jersey and cap with interlocking DC, 11/19/200

Jose Guillen posing for fans, 11/19/2005

Gary Majewski and Jose Guillen signing for fans, 11/19/2005

Fans watching the jersey unveiling at Modell's at Springfield Mall, 11/19/2005

"Baby" Screech was there too, 11/19/2005

The Nationals unveiled the long-awaited away greys with the Washington script on November 6, 2008 at an event open to the public at ESPN Zone downtown Washington, DC.

The red alternate jerseys made the change from interlocking DC to a Curly W and added white piping.  A second alternate jersey was introduced -- the blue stars and stripes interlocking DC jersey was designated to be worn for military nights and holidays such as Fourth of July.

Charlie Slowes was emcee and Nationals Manager Manny Acta and OF Lastings Milledge modeled the new jerseys for fans. If you missed the event, here are a few photos.

Fans waiting for unveiling, 11/06/2008

Lastings Milledge with new script away grey jersey, 11/06/2008

OF Lastings Milledge and Manager Manny Acta

took questions from fans, 11/06/2008

Milledge and Nats Pack model new jerseys, 11/06/2008

Fan waiting for autographs, 11/06/2008 

Long line of fans waiting for autographs, 11/06/2008

NEW: Red alternate changed from interlocking DC to

Curly W and added white piping, 11/06/2008

NEW: Away greys with Washington and no more gold, 11/06/2008

 

NEW: Second alternate jersey - Blue with a stars and stripes interlocking DC, 11/06/2008

 

Home whites remained the same except changed fabric, 11/06/2008

Photos © Cheryl Nichols Photography/

Nats News Network. All Rights Reserved.

In case you weren't at Nationals Park during last homestand, here is the "Thank you" video from the Washington Nationals to the Fans.  See link under first photo.

WATCH VIDEO

Updated 9/28/2010: The Moon 'N Doggie is $12 and I heard several fans raving about them last night. In fact one fan is planning to get another one tonight!

Celebrity Chef Rick Moonen will make an appearance at each of the Washington Nationals’ final three home games against the Philadelphia Phillies to introduce his gourmet shrimp dog known as the Moon ‘N Doggie.

Photo Courtesy of Moonen's Website

The Moon 'N Doggie is an all natural shrimp dog with Asian slaw and toga chips which debuted at the U.S. Open in August of this year.  His shrimp-based corndog called the "Moondoggie" was the inspriation for this new item.  It is a collaboration between Chef Moonen and Levy Restaurants, the official restaurateurs of Nationals Park.



The new special will be available in the Stars and Stripes Club and the Red Porch, and Chef Moonen will be in both locations throughout the Phillies series greeting fans and signing autographs.

Chef Moonen recently visited Nationals Park when he was featured as a guest judge on Top Chef D.C. for the “Quickfire” Challenge and the show’s elimination challenge, which, coincidentally enough involved creating high-end concession food.

The Washington Nationals Third Baseman Ryan Zimmerman is one of the five nominees for the Captain Morgan's Captain Cannaon. As of now, Zim is in last place so come on Nats fans! VOTE.

Watch Video of Captain Cannon nominee.

**UPDATE 7/29/2010: Pitchers Collin Balester and Doug Slaten Tyler Clippard and Craig Stammen will also join volunteers for a portion of the morning’s clean-up.

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation has partnered with Earth Conservation Corps for the Second Annual NatsTown Green-up on Friday, July 30.

The three-hour event that includes landscaping, planting and trash removal with a focus on the Anacostia River. The work will benefit the neighborhood we all share, and will provide an opportunity for important community involvement.

Registration will take place at 8:00 am at the Earth Conservation Corps' Matthew Henson Center (2000 Half Street SW). The clean-up will begin at 8:30am and last until 11:30pm. A Nationals player will be on hand to help!

There are three project sites:

1. Earth Conservation Corps' Matthew Henson Center (2000 Half Street SW)
-planting a rain garden, mulching, short boat trips on the Anacostia

2. Small park next to the South West Library (corner of 3rd Street SW and I Street SW)
-trash removal, raking, pruning, mulching

3. Area extending from the intersection of Q Street SW and First Street SW
-trash removal, possibly painting

Following the Green-Up effort, volunteers are invited to enjoy lunch provided by Hard Times at the Nationals Park Family Picnic Area. The day will conclude at 2:00pm.

All volunteers will receive a t-shirt and two tickets to the Nationals-Phillies game the following Sunday, August 1, which is Washington Nationals Dream Foundation Day.

They are seeking 100 volunteers to assist with the efforts. Those interested in participating should e-mail Briana McFadden, Nationals Dream Foundation Assistant at Briana.mcfadden@nationals.com.