I had an idea who this month's winner might be before I even finished tallying up the points. He was so often first to the table and flush with bonus trivia, with a photo or two posted to the MASNsports.com Facebook page thrown in there as well.
During the month of July, Chris in Baltimore racked up four points for a correct answer every week and a heavy handful of bonus points for his extra efforts during this month's 'Where in the Yard?' photo contest here in the O's Buzz.
Charles B...
Some community service projects sponsored by the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation take years to develop. Whether its fundraising for a world-class diabetes care clinic for children or developing a baseball academy for disadvantaged youth, making an impact takes time.
But sometimes, one small project can also make a big difference. Just a few hours of service time can have a lasting and visible effect on the community.
That was the case today as the Nationals hosted their 2nd annual...
It's official. Katherine Connors, Miss Iowa USA, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday evening's game against the Phillies. It's perhaps the most anticipated ceremonial first pitch since President Obama's on Opening Day.
The Nationals extended the invitation to Miss Connors after pitcher Miguel Batista compared himself to her after his surprise start on Tuesday. Connors immediately challenged Batista to walk the runway, quipping, "I know I can throw a pitch or...
Full Name: William Nathaniel Showalter
Birthdate: May 23, 1956
Birthplace: DeFuniak Springs, FL
Playing Career: Showalter played college ball at Mississippi State University, graduating as an All-American in 1977. No doubt the .459 batting average helped him get drafted in the fifth round by the New York Yankees following college. After seven years as a first baseman in the Yankees' farm system, Showalter's playing career ended in 1983, never making it to the majors.
Managerial...
MASN, the local leader in live sports entertainment, will return the ever-popular Saturdays at Saratoga live thoroughbred racing program beginning on Saturday, July 31st, and continuing on consecutive Saturdays through early September. The one-hour, live shows will include 10 championship-caliber stakes races including the Travers, Jim Dandy, Whitney, Betfair TVG Alabama and Woodward.
Each program will be televised live from historic Saratoga Race Course, named by Sports Illustrated as one...
The average person works a five-day work week; the average major league pitcher goes to work once every five days.
So what are they doing for all those days in between? Well, it's not all hanging out on the bench watching ballgames.
As Jeremy Guthrie takes the mound Wednesday night against the Blue Jays, the right-hander takes you through the meticulous routine he'll carry out on Thursday - the day after his latest start.
According to Guthrie, the post-start routine begins the afternoon...
When Jim Riggleman managed the Seattle Mariners in the latter part of 2008, he had a journeyman reliever in the bullpen available for a variety of situations. Whether it was for a spot start, in relief of a starter's early exit or to protect a late inning lead, Riggleman could call on and trust Miguel Batista.
Earlier this season, on April 18th, the skipper turned again to his trusted veteran, asking Batista to warm up quickly and save the rest of the bullpen from a 10-run, first inning...
As we have seen since the start of the season, more and more Nationals fans are tuning in to watch the team compete on a nightly basis. Today, Sports Business Journal took note of the team's ratings increase. The Nationals' 1.34 household rating in the Washington market rates higher than both the Angels and the A's. In fact, the team's ratings are up 139% on MASN this year.
While fans are certainly tuning in to watch rookie Stephen Strasburg, whose games average a 4.4 rating on MASN,...
Jim and Roch recently sat down on the set of O's Xtra to discuss the possibility of the Orioles dealing Luke Scott at the trade deadline, which is fast approaching at the end of July.
Jim also asked Roch about the roster move that sent Craig Tatum to Triple-A Norfolk after Tatum earned the backup catcher spot out of spring training.
And finally, the pair touched on the Orioles' probable role as sellers leading up to this year's July 31 trade deadline.
Remember the 1970 World Series Anniversary Auction that put up for grabs autographed 1970 championship team replica jerseys, hats, and batting helmets?
Well if you're interested, the final report from the O's is that the auction raised more than $50,000 for the Orioles Charitable Fund.
In further celebration of Orioles history, the Annual Orioles Hall of Fame Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the sixth floor of the Warehouse at Camden yards.
The...
For this week's 'Where in the Yard?' you'll have to think outside the lines, but don't worry, you've all see this particular piece of the Yard before - and I even know some people who think touching this bright yellow piece of Oriole Park is good luck - though for you or the Birds, I'm not sure.
So as always, take a look at the photo below and let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
And remember, this is your last chance to rack up...
Here in this Nats Buzz space, I often have the opportunity to write about the many ways that Nationals players and front office staff give back to the community around Nationals Park and in the greater Washington D.C. metro area.
Well, on July 30th, you can get involved right alongside those players and front office staff in an effort to "green-up" the area around the ballpark.
The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation is teaming up with the Earth Conservation Corps to host a NatsTown...
It's shaping up to be a big week for Jason Berken in Birdland and beyond. First, he gets a T-shirt Tuesday at Oriole Park; now a player appearance at the new Sports Clips in White Marsh.
Berken will sign autographs at the new Sports Clips location at the Avenue at White Marsh from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 22.
The Oriole Bird and former O's Scott McGregor, Rick Dempsey, and Dave Johnson will join Berken Thursday afternoon as well.
The group of O's will help to celebrate the...
You asked (through Ben Goessling's in-game chats), and Nats Buzz answered. We'll try to do more of these throughout the season, featuring new faces and players who you don't usually hear much about.
First up is Joel Peralta, new to the organization after stints with the Angels, Royals and Rockies. Peralta was called up to join the Nationals on June 21st after going 2-0 with 20 saves and a 1.08 ERA in 28 appearances with the Syracuse Chiefs.
Since the callup, Peralta has pitched in 13...
Join Nationals president Stan Kasten and ESPN 980 personalities Thom Loverro and Kevin Sheehan for "Lunch with a Legend" on Wednesday.
Kasten, a true "legend" in sports entertainment and business, will be the special guest at Morton's on Connecticut Ave. This event is part of a continuing series.
The $40 tickets include a salad, main course, sides and dessert and the opportunity to participate in and watch the live show. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. with a reception. Lunch and...
Tuesday, July 20 isn't just Jason Berken T-Shirt Tuesday at Camden Yards - and I'm not just talking about the fact that it's also Ollie's Bargain Night.
Before O's fans get to the ballpark to collect their T-shirt giveaway Tuesday night, First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama will visit the Yard to announce a new joint initiative between Major League Baseball, the MLB Player's Association, and the White House.
Following the announcement, Orioles and Rays players will conduct...
Welcome back for another week of 'Where in the Yard?' here in the Orioles Buzz. With the O's home all week against Tampa Bay and Minnesota, you'll even have the chance to make your way to the Yard to spot this week's image!
Though many of you know the drill, if you're joining us for the first time, the 'Where in the Yard?' photo contest goes something like this:
Take a look a the photo below and let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden...
When baseball resumes after the All-Star break, the O's kick off the second half with a 10-game homestand against Toronto, Tampa, and Minnesota.
During that homestand, things will be busy here in Birdland. Check out the list of O's events and promo nights coming up in the days just after the All-Star break:
Fri, July 16: Fireworks Night
Sat, July 17: Replica Brooks Robinson Jersey
(Click here for info on a change to this giveaway)
Sun, July 18: Kids Batting Helmet
Tue, July 20: Jason...
Starting on Friday, July 16, Verizion FiOS will launch MASN 2 HD, MASN's overflow HD channel, on systems in Washington D.C. Customers in the D.C. metro area will now enjoy every available Nationals and Orioles game in high definition.
Verizon FiOS customers in Washington can find MASN 2 HD on channel 501 for the rest of the baseball season.
Viewers with Verizon FiOS in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William and Spotsylvania counties in Virginia, as well as Montgomery and Prince...
MASN, the television home of the Washington Nationals, will add Stephen Strasburg's historic debut as a Nationals Classic starting this week. The network will re-air the game on Wednesday, July 14th and Sunday, July 18th, both at 7:00 p.m. on MASN and MASN HD.
This special production includes a new introduction from Johnny Holliday and Ray Knight.
In front of a national audience and a sold-out crowd at Nationals Park, Strasburg dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 8th and set a new...