Josh Land

Thanks to the Fans & the O's Xtra Crew

April 06, 2010, 12:14pm

Orioles

Now that the 2009 season is complete, I wanted to take a moment to reflect and to thank the Orioles fans and the crew at O's Xtra. For the past 6 months O's Xtra set the scene and recapped the action of the Orioles games. We were able to really get to know the Orioles players and get a glimpse of what we all hope will be a positive future on the field. Dozens of hard working professionals allow us to push the envelope and strive to give the O's fans an entertaining product. Rick Dempsey...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

Happy Holidays from the Hunters

April 06, 2010, 12:13pm

Orioles

Holiday Greetings everyone. My guess is, like us, you are busy trying to balance the remaining time and the "must get done list." As the Christmas decorations went up around the house, it dawned on me that the baseball offseason is more than half over, and before we know it we'll be getting excited for the first spring training in Sarasota. I've been keeping busy since the season ended. I've had the pleasure of taking part in several events for different charities around Baltimore,...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

Balance can add up to production

April 06, 2010, 12:12pm

Orioles

The big topic of debate with the many passionate Orioles fans this offseason has been the desire to add a "Power Bat" to the middle of the O's lineup for the 2010 season. While I agree with the benefits that type of hitter would bring to Baltimore, the Orioles lineup this season will bring something just as effective in winning games. And that is balance on the mound, in the field, and at the plate. Let's start with the lineup and agree a "bopper" is a player with at least 30 home...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

April 05, 2010, 6:57am

Orioles

The 2010 baseball season is finally here, and hopefully many of you will be here in Baltimore in a matter of days for the Orioles home Opener at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. To hold you over until then, here's another little piece of the Yard for you to search your memories for - And if you're new to the Orioles Buzz or the weekly 'Where in the Yard?', just take a look at the photo below and see if you can identify what the item is and where it's located in or around Camden...

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Kate Wheeler Orioles Orioles Buzz Where in the Yard

Morgan excited to meet Obama

April 04, 2010, 8:34pm

Nationals

For all the energy and enthusiasm Nyjer Morgan adds to the team, he brings something else as well. The fun-loving outfielder has a big heart and he wants to do his part to be a positive influence on the African American community, especially in the nation's capital. Morgan was involved with Kidney Foundation awareness events and fundraising throughout the winter. The speedster hopes to start another campaign to donate money for each of stolen bases this season, but it's still in the works....

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz Nyjer Morgan

Pups in the Park

April 04, 2010, 8:13pm

Nationals

The dog days of summer are coming to a close, but not before the Nationals welcome our four-legged friends to Nationals Park to enjoy the national pastime for a weekend. Today and tomorrow, fans can bring their furry friends to watch the Nats take on the Marlins from the Left Field Mezzanine. The team has set up a relief station with water and pet sitters near Section 201. MASN's Rob Dibble wished he could have brought his three dogs -- Kobe, Samson and Delila -- to the Nats inaugural...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Nats Honor Virginia Cavaliers

April 04, 2010, 8:12pm

Nationals

Today, the University of Virginia Cavaliers traveled to Nationals Park to be honored by the Nats. The team met with Ryan Zimmerman on the field and watched the game from the PNC Diamond Club. And leave it to Ryan to send them home happy with a walk off home run against the Marlins. Last spring, Virginia competed in their first College World Series and captured the school's third ACC championship. They were 49-15-1 for the season. Much of their recent success has been attributed to...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz Ryan Zimmerman

Dukes, Desmond Share Debut History

April 04, 2010, 8:11pm

Nationals

Elijah Dukes knows a little something about hitting a home run during a Major League debut. In April of 2007, in the fifth inning of the Rays season opener, a then 23 year old Dukes took Yankees starter Carl Pavano deep in his first official at bat. Fortunately, the ball lodged itself in Yankee Stadium's center field wall and Dukes had no trouble recovering it as a keepsake. "Nothing can compare to that [experience]," Dukes said tonight after watching his 23 year old teammate accomplish...

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Ian Desmond Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Learn Spanish with Flores

April 04, 2010, 8:10pm

Nationals

Before receiving his recent injury news, catcher Jesus Flores agreed to help Nationals Buzz readers learn some basic Spanish words about baseball. The young catcher grew up in Venezuela and signed with the Mets in 2002. The Mets organization provided regular classes to the Hispanic players to help them learn the new language. Since arriving in Washington, Flores has worked hard to improve his speaking and writing ability in English, seeking out both a private tutor and opportunities to...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Josh and Ginger Willingham Launch Foundation

April 04, 2010, 8:09pm

Nationals

Josh and Ginger Willingham Launch Foundation

Josh Willingham and his wife Ginger have launched an important foundation dedicated to serving children and families in need in Alabama. The first project of the Josh Willingham Foundation will be building a playground for under-served children in their hometown of Florence, Alabama, but they also hope to help families in need around the holidays. "We started the foundation because we've had so much support from our family, our hometown and our friends back home," said Ginger Willingham. ...

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Josh Willingham Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Checking in with Church

April 04, 2010, 8:08pm

Nationals

A fan favorite player during his time in Washington, Ryan Church talked before Sunday's game about missing his teammates and fans in the nation's capital, but being thrilled to be part of the Braves organization. "Words can't describe it," Chuch said of playing for a franchise steeped in history and tradition with legendary manager Bobby Cox at the helm. Church described the Braves organization as low-key and very different from the high-pressure atmosphere in New York. "They have the...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

And that's a wrap

April 04, 2010, 8:06pm

Nationals

We did it, NatsTown. Together, we survived another difficult season while miraculously watching our team somehow end up with 59 wins again. We lost a GM, a manager and several players but we gained exciting new players, a young pitching phenom, a talented new GM and another first round draft pick in 2010. Despite the challenges this season brought, we still witnessed some very good baseball from time to time. Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham provided plenty of moments to...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Nats Promote Reading to USO Students and Families

April 04, 2010, 8:05pm

Nationals

Nats Promote Reading to USO Students and Families

The Nationals' community service initiatives take no off-season, as evidenced by Thursday's gathering of nearly 300 children at Nationals Park to participate in Jump Start's Read for the Record program. USO volunteers, students and families joined the Washington Nationals, the Pearson Foundation and United Through Reading for a special bilingual reading of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar on Thursday morning. Nationals president Stan Kasten welcomed the children to Nationals...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Lannan and Stammen Visit the Children's Inn at NIH

April 04, 2010, 8:04pm

Nationals

Lannan and Stammen Visit the Children's Inn at NIH

Nearly a dozen children gathered near the fireplace at the cozy Children's Inn at NIH in Bethesda to hear John Lannan read "Casey at the Bat" on Thursday afternoon. It was Lannan's first visit to the Children's Inn, a residential "place like home" for sick children and their families seeking treatment at NIH. But Thursday's visit wasn't about treatment or discussing hardship. It was an afternoon escape from the routine, complete with a special visit from two big league baseball...

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John Lannan Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Storen and Strasburg on Saturday (Updated)

April 04, 2010, 8:03pm

Nationals

Storen and Strasburg on Saturday (Updated)

Update: Stephen Strasburg has been scratched for precautionary reasons from his scheduled start in the Rising Stars Game due to a muscle strain in his neck. He is listed as day-to-day. Both Drew Storen and Stephen Strasburg have been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Showcase on Saturday evening at Surprise Stadium. In fact, Strasburg is expected to start the game for the AFL East Division team. The great news for Nats fans is that MLB Network will carry a live...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Lannan and Stammen Support Bethesda Big Train Baseball

April 04, 2010, 8:02pm

Nationals

Lannan and Stammen Support Bethesda Big Train Baseball

On Sunday evening, Nationals pitchers John Lannan and Craig Stammen will make another community appearance - this time in support of Bethesda Big Train. The team plays in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League each summer and won the Championship this season. The 11th Annual Big Train Base Ball & Auction will take place on Sunday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Pooks Hill Marriott in Bethesda. ESPN's Tim Kurkjian will be the featured guest speaker with special appearances by...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Riggleman Meets with MASN Fantasy Baseball Winners

April 04, 2010, 8:01pm

Nationals

Riggleman Meets with MASN Fantasy Baseball Winners

It was a crowded night at the ESPN Zone. With various games on television including the big ECU vs. Virginia Tech match-up, the place was filled with enthusiastic fans supporting their football and hockey teams. But a day after the World Series, the sports world was on break from baseball - except for a few lucky Nationals fans. Near the front of the room, MASN's Fantasy Baseball winners gathered at a large table and enjoyed appetizers, dinner, drinks and a long, casual conversation with...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Men About Town

April 04, 2010, 8:00pm

Nationals

It sure is nice to have some players staying in Washington during this offseason. Both John Lannan and Craig Stammen opted to spend time in the nation's capital this winter while training with strength and conditioning coach John Philbin in Gaithersburg, MD. Staying in the area has allowed both players to make additional community service appearances and to interact with fans on a regular basis. Over the weekend, the teammates showed up at Bethesda Big Train's annual Base Ball & Auction...

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Craig Stammen John Lannan Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Lucky #11 on 11/11

April 04, 2010, 7:59pm

Nationals

Actually, it has nothing to do with luck... Ryan Zimmerman is a deserving recipient of his first Rawlings Gold Glove award, which was announced by Major League Baseball on Wednesday afternoon. The first National to win the award, Zimmerman is the second Washington based player to win. Senators catcher Earl Battey earned one in 1960. "Winning the Rawlings Gold Glove has always been important to me, as I take a lot of pride in my defense," Zimmerman said in a prepared statement. "When I...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz

Winter Coat Drive at Nats Park

April 04, 2010, 7:58pm

Nationals

While it sure feels like winter might never arrive (no complaints here!), eventually we'll have to drag out the winter coats, scarves and mittens while we wait for baseball to resume in the spring. This year, when you begin to sort through your winter apparel, you might want to consider setting aside an extra coat. Through December 11th, the Nationals are collecting clean, re-useable coats and jackets for DC adults and children during the One Warm Coat Drive at Nationals Park. ...