John Carlson to throw Ceremonial First Pitch at

Washington Nationals game on Thursday, Sept. 8

ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch at the Washington Nationals game on Thursday, Sept. 8. Carlson will throw the first pitch prior to the Nationals game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which is slated to begin at 1:05 p.m.

John Carlson was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team following his first full campaign in the league, matching a single-season Capitals franchise record for the most points by a rookie defenseman with 37. He finished 2010-11 leading all NHL rookie defensemen in ice time (22:38), was ranked third in plus/minus (+21), fourth in points (37), third in assists (30) and tied for fourth in goals (7). He led the team and all NHL rookies in blocked shots (160) during the regular season and finished second among rookies in playoff ice time (24:23).

Carlson was born in Natick, Mass. but spent most of his childhood in New Jersey. He was the Capitals’ first-round choice, 27th overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft.

This is an exciting few days for DC sports fans.  Baseball is back and hockey playoffs are around the corner!

Thursday and Saturday, March 31 and April 2, are two rare opportunities to catch both a baseball and hockey game in the same day.  Nationals at 1:05 p.m. and Capitals at 7:00 p.m.

The Washington Nationals host the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Capitals host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday and the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. 

Nationals tickets are available on their website.  Capitals tickets are a little tough to come by, however, tickets are available through the season ticket exchange.

Sounds like fun, right? 

Have you been caravaning yet?  Spring is around the corner so that means it is almost baseball season!  Join the party!

On Deck for Day 3:

-Pitcher Drew Storen will be talking baseball on MIX 107.3FM on the Jack Diamond Show at 7:30 a.m.

-Chat Live with Manager Jim Riggleman at 11:00 a.m. Enter chat here.

-**Season Ticket Holder Event Only** - Hot Stove Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at Nationals Park. Free parking is available for the Hot Stove Luncheon in Nationals Park Garage B on the corner of South Capitol St. SE and N. St. SE. Entrance to the event is through the Centerfield Gate.

Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman, Team President Stan Kasten and Sr. Vice President & General Manager Mike Rizzo will participate in a panel discussion with fans on Washington's upcoming season. The panel will be moderated by Nationals Season Ticket Holder David Gregory from NBC's Meet the Press and MASN broadcaster Rob Dibble will join in the Q&A with guests and panel members. The luncheon will provide Season Ticket Holders who purchase tickets to the event the exclusive opportunity to interact with Nationals Executives and players.

Players expected at Hot Stove Luncheon:  

Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn, John Lannan, Nyjer Morgan, Drew Storen, Josh Willingham, Craig Stammen and Ryan Speier.

-Washington Capitals Game at Verizon Center from 6-7pm (game starts at 7pm).

Nats Players expected at Caps Game:

Brian Bruney, Matt Caps, Tyler Clippard, Adam Dunn, Danny Espinosa, John Lannan, Jason Marquis, Nyjer Morgan, Ryan Speier, Craig Stammen, Drew Storen, Josh Willingham and Ryan Zimmerman.  As well as Manager Jim Riggleman and MASN Analyst Rob Dibble.