Josh Land

#TBT: Max Scherzer's two no-hitters

March 30, 2016, 6:22pm

Four days until opening day in Atlanta and one week until the home opener at Nationals Park! But who's counting? Opening day in four days means we're right around the corner from seeing ace Max Scherzer take the mound for the first time. And, as we know, when Scherzer is on, he is absolutely dominant. How could we go an entire offseason of #TBT posts without looking at the Nationals' two biggest standout moments from 2016? Check out Scherzer's two historic no-hitters below to get you pumped...

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#TBT: Wieters wins it with walk-off homer in the 11th

March 30, 2016, 6:02pm

Orioles

#TBT: Wieters wins it with walk-off homer in the 11th

Four. More. Days. We're just four days away from opening day in Birdland and we can't wait. For hot dogs in the stands. For the stands to be filled with a sea of orange. For the opportunity to meet fans at our booth on Eutaw Street. For home runs landing on Eutaw Street. And, of course, for walk-off wins. Get a taste of what's to come with this huge homer from catcher Matt Wieters that had it all. Into the 11th inning, the Orioles and Braves were locked at 1-1. Wieters stepped to the plate...

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Nats to reveal Fan Choice Bobblehead opening day on MASN

March 28, 2016, 1:49pm

Nationals

Nats to reveal Fan Choice Bobblehead opening day on MASN

Nod your head if you're ready to see the new Nationals Fan Choice Bobblehead! While you continue your countdown to opening day in Atlanta, you'll also be counting down until the big reveal. On March 10, the Nationals announced during a spring training game airing on MASN that the Fan Choice Bobblehead would be decided in a one-day vote. Any player currently on the roster and who had not previously had a Nationals bobblehead or other figurine was eligible, so it was game on. Over the 24-hour...

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Orioles showcase commitment to Sarasota, arts at charity event

March 28, 2016, 8:31am

Orioles

Following a long day of baseball complete with a 16-8 Orioles win over the Red Sox, players, coaches and members of the Orioles front office gathered for a night of entertainment on the field at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday. Top songwriters from Nashville performed a roundtable-style concert for those in the audience, which included manager Buck Showalter, first baseman Chris Davis and closer Zach Britton. Broadcaster Jim Hunter served as the emcee at the event and noted "how well the concept...

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Top songwriters, athletes to come together for "Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark" at Ed Smith Stadium

March 24, 2016, 7:42am

Orioles

Top songwriters, athletes to come together for "Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark" at Ed Smith Stadium

The stage is set. The spotlights turn on. The audience's murmuring dies down and all heads turn, everyone in the stands awaiting a performance that will fill them with emotion, happiness and excitement. And the show begins! Like sports, music evokes emotion and helps bring people together. Now the best of both worlds will come together for a special night of music at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium, spring training home of the Orioles. On Saturday, March 26, the Orioles will host "Nashville's...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Les Miserables"

March 23, 2016, 6:22am

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Les Miserables"

Hello, readers. Time to crack the covers again in the name of reading and all the joys it can bring! This is the second year for the "Hitting the Books" blog and we are back because you good people took kindly to our efforts. Here are some reminders: This is not a typical book review space. This is for fun. The idea was to share with you books I enjoy reading with all the travel time I have to fill. We expanded our reach last year to hear from managers, players, coaches, broadcasters and...

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Fan Choice Bobblehead, presented by MASN, to be decided in one-day vote

March 08, 2016, 12:21pm

Nationals

Fan Choice Bobblehead, presented by MASN, to be decided in one-day vote

The Nationals Fan Choice Bobblehead is back, and once again, the power is in fans' hands! Which player will be the latest to have his likeness translated into a bobblehead? It's up to you. All players who are currently on the Nationals active roster and who have never had a Nats bobblehead/figurine before will be eligible. But don't hesitate! This year's voting lasts just 24 hours. On Thursday, March 10 (also the Nats' first spring game airing on MASN), you'll have the chance to cast your...

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#TBT: Ian Desmond receives ovation in last home start in D.C.

March 02, 2016, 5:33pm

Nationals

#TBT: Ian Desmond receives ovation in last home start in D.C.

Drafted by the Expos in 2004, longtime National Ian Desmond was a staple in the infield. Over seven big league seasons with the Nationals, Desmond earned three Silver Slugger Awards and was named an All-Star in 2012. In 2015, as the Nats' season began to wind down, Desmond and fans knew that the shortstop's time in D.C. was likely coming to an end. In Desmond's last home game of the season, Trea Turner entered the game at shortstop in the ninth inning as manager Matt Williams allowed fans to...

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#TBT: Schoop corrals Joseph's throw, puts tag on Duda

March 02, 2016, 5:16pm

Orioles

#TBT: Schoop corrals Joseph's throw, puts tag on Duda

The first spring training game on MASN is around the corner and baseball in Baltimore is right on its heels! In just a few days, I'll be heading down to sunny Sarasota, Fla., to see games with my own two eyes for the first time in 2016. It's so close I can almost hear the sound of bats cracking and balls popping into mitts! While real games are a month and a day away, there are still many questions that need to be answered, including: * With Matt Wieters returning, how much time will Caleb...

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#TBT: Nationals pull off circus play against Giants

February 23, 2016, 5:50pm

Nationals

One player who has made an early impression in spring training is flamethrower Felipe Rivero. "Boy, that lefty out there throwing 100 mph, he's got a pretty good chance," manager Dusty Baker said earlier this week. Last season, over 49 appearances, Rivero pitched to a 2.79 ERA. Headed into his sophomore season, will the 24-year-old be able to keep up his reputation as a staple in the bullpen? Leave a comment with your predictions and check out one of the Nationals' best plays from last...

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#TBT: Rookie Mychal Givens snags scorching liner

February 23, 2016, 5:40pm

Orioles

#TBT: Rookie Mychal Givens snags scorching liner

Reliever Mychal Givens made quite the impression in his rookie season. The shortstop-turned-pitcher appeared in 22 games for the Orioles in 2015 and pitched to a stellar 1.80 ERA. Now heading into his sophomore campaign, there are many questions surrounding Givens. Although the 25-year-old is expected to break camp with the team, he is one of the few optionable pieces that make up the Orioles bullpen. Will he be with the O's to begin the 2016 regular season or will he be shuttled back and...

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Adam Jones, Jim Hunter featured guests at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield event

February 18, 2016, 11:38am

Orioles

Adam Jones, Jim Hunter featured guests at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield event

One of Baltimore's favorite boys of summer highlighted CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's annual wintertime event to honor its nonprofit health partners in Maryland. Orioles outfielder Adam Jones was the featured guest of the company's CareFirst Commitment reception in Annapolis on Feb. 2. The five-time Major League Baseball All-Star spoke with elected officials and legislative leaders and visited representatives of the more than 20 nonprofit organizations that attended the event designed to...

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#TBT: Joe Ross strikes out 11 in third career start

February 17, 2016, 12:12pm

Nationals

#TBT: Joe Ross strikes out 11 in third career start

BASEBALL. IS. BACK. Pitchers and catchers report today, which means that Nationals baseball is officially here for the 2016 season! Spring training will answer a lot of questions surrounding the Nationals, including how the bullpen and starting rotation will shape up. Tanner Roark is likely to rejoin the rotation since he had an impressive 2014 campaign as a starter, posting a 15-10 record and a 2.85 ERA. Pitching out of the bullpen last season, he pitched to a 4.38 ERA. Another pitcher likely...

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#TBT: Kevin Gausman ends season on high note

February 17, 2016, 11:38am

Orioles

#TBT: Kevin Gausman ends season on high note

BASEBALL IS BACK! Orioles pitchers and catchers report today, officially signifying the start of the 2016 season! While dreaming of warm weather and baseball games under the lights, we're looking back at a player who will be heavily looked at this season: pitcher Kevin Gausman. The right-hander shuttled back and forth between Triple-A Norfolk and Baltimore last season. However, this season, he's expected to be a staple in the rotation. Will he fare better with stability this season? For this...

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Hello and goodbye

February 16, 2016, 3:07am

Nationals

It seems like just yesterday that Stephen Strasburg made one of the most anticipated professional sports debuts in history. But in a couple of days, the 27-year-old may be approaching his final spring training with the Nationals. Strasburg avoided arbitration with the Nats last month, agreeing to play the final year of his contract in Washington for a reported $10.4 million. At the Winter Meetings in December, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was asked about the possibility of signing...

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A few spring training storylines to watch

February 15, 2016, 3:36am

Nationals

A few spring training storylines to watch

The countdown is on, with Nationals pitchers and catchers reporting to Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., on Thursday. So here are a few storylines to watch throughout spring training: * Can Tanner Roark re-establish himself as a permanent member of the Nationals starting rotation? Many pitchers would have thrown a fit or even demanded a trade after being bumped from the rotation to the bullpen following a 15-win campaign with a sub-3.00 ERA. Though Roark handled the demotion with...

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Bryce Harper has big goals for Jonathan Papelbon in 2016

February 14, 2016, 5:00am

Nationals

Bryce Harper has big goals for Jonathan Papelbon in 2016

On Sept. 27, Jonathan Papelbon barked at Bryce Harper from the dugout railing, instigating a fight which left the veteran closer's hands clasped around the young slugger's throat before players and coaches ripped the two apart. A day later - after serving a baffling one-game suspension - Harper brushed off the scrum with Papelbon, saying he hoped they could win a World Series together in 2016. Nobody believed it at the time, as the sure bet had general manager Mike Rizzo dumping Papelbon this...

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If Bryce Harper keeps pace, his price will go up

February 13, 2016, 3:46am

Nationals

If Bryce Harper keeps pace, his price will go up

Speculation regarding Bryce Harper's long-term future in Washington isn't anything new. Heck, it began as soon as the Nationals made a 17-year-old Harper the most-hyped No. 1 overall pick in 2009 since, well, Stephen Strasburg the year before. But as Harper entered the conversation in 2015 as arguably the game's best all-around player, questions started to swell about how long he'll remain in a curly-W cap. "I'm definitely excited about the upcoming years and very excited to further my...

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Which newcomer will have the biggest impact for the Nats in 2016?

February 12, 2016, 3:44am

Nationals

Which newcomer will have the biggest impact for the Nats in 2016?

Although he never owned the headlines with a splashy move this offseason, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo significantly altered the complexion of his team's roster. With the new additions, the Nationals should be a more consistent hitting team that fills bases along with a crew of veteran relievers who hopefully can secure leads. So which Nationals newcomer will have the biggest impact in 2016? Daniel Murphy was Rizzo's biggest free agent acquisition this past winter. A 2006 13th-round...

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#TBT: Max Scherzer strikes out 16 in dominant performance

February 11, 2016, 5:51am

Nationals

#TBT: Max Scherzer strikes out 16 in dominant performance

When reflecting on Max Scherzer's 2015 season, two no-hitters immediately come to mind - and rightfully so. However, I could argue that a performance that wasn't a no-hitter may have been his best start of the season. This game is a standout, as the Nationals ace simply made Brewer after Brewer look silly. In the shutout victory, Scherzer allowed just one bloop single and one walk while striking out 16. Yes, 16 batters! While he went on to record a nearly perfect no-hitter in his next start,...