The long standing tradition of rookie hazing day took place Sunday after the Nats 8-2 victory over Astros. The Washington Nationals' veterans mandated that the "rookies" (term quite expanded in this case) to dress as Smurfs for the train ride to New York City, where they face the Mets for the next four days.
Apparently the Nats didn't do the hazing last season so today included all of the players that hadn't dressed up in previous years. I'm quite sure that Collin Balester, Jordan Zimmermann and Craig Stammen ("not a rook") figured that they had escaped this tradition since they made their MLB debut in 2008 and 2009. No such luck. That meant sixteen players and one staff member were smurfy.
The Nats Smurfs "Rookies" are Collin Balester, Ryan Mattheus, Yunesky Maya, Tommy Milone, Brad Peacock, Henry Rodriguez, Atahualpa Severino, Craig Stammen, Drew Storen, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Wilson Ramos, Danny Espinosa, Steve Lombardozzi, Chris Marrero, Corey Brown, as well as trainer John Hsu.
Thankfully Jesus Flores tweeted photos of the group and entertained us on the ride. Stephen Strasburg is Papa Smurf and Wilson Ramos is Smurfette (who looks like he's hamming up his role).
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I think they're going to have to think of a different hazing ritual for Ramos. He's having too much fun prancing around in that skirt and wig. #thatboyworriesme
DAMN! Stras is cut, he definitely worked on his core during his rehab! My gosh, everyone else, includng the trainer are a bunch of doughboys, they should be doing a lot more ab work!!!!