Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, BRIAN MATUSZ.

A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched. He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face.

Brian’s family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

The Baltimore Orioles today announced that DON ROVAK will join the organization as the Chief Revenue Officer, focusing on revenue generation through ticket and corporate sales in both Baltimore and Sarasota, Fla., and creating local economic impact for the city, state, and surrounding area.

“We are excited to have such an incredible talent and industry leader join the Orioles at such a thrilling time for our organization,” shared CATIE GRIGGS, Orioles President of Business Operations. “His expertise, passion, and creativity will be a tremendous asset to our club for years to come.”

Rovak joins the Orioles after just completing his 17^th year with AMB Sports and Entertainment, a company comprised of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Drive GC, and PGA TOUR Superstore. With AMB Sports and Entertainment, Rovak’s responsibilities included Mercedes-Benz Stadium events, private events, and Falcons and Atlanta United ticket sales, service, and ticket operations departments.

Rovak has led the team that has sold out Mercedes-Benz Stadium for all Falcons games and United matches since its opening in 2017. He revolutionized benefits for Falcons season ticket members, including free tickets for road games, annual seat relocation, and pre-party invitations, among other enhancements. Under his supervision, in all seasons for Atlanta United, the team finished first in season tickets, group sales, and overall attendance. Additionally, Atlanta United holds many of the top single match attendance records in their short lifespan.

“I am thrilled to arrive in Baltimore, and to be a part of such a historic franchise with so much opportunity ahead,” shared Rovak. “I look forward to developing relationships with the fans and the corporate community as we embark on an exciting O’s season.”

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell on a one-year contract on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Bell, 32, joins the Nationals after he hit .249 with 23 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs and 71 RBI in 145 games between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024. He capped off the season by batting .304 with six doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 48 games after July 21.

Bell returns to Washington after he hit .278 with 48 doubles, four triples, 41 home runs and 145 RBI in 247 games with the Nationals between 2021 and 2022. During those two seasons, he hit .302 with 25 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 72 RBI in 125 games at Nationals Park.

A National League All-Star in 2019 and Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner in 2022, the nine-year Major League veteran has hit .258 with 209 doubles, 19 triples, 171 home runs, 613 RBI, four stolen bases and 550 runs scored in 1147 career games.

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton on a one-year major league contract for the 2025 season.

Morton, 41, went 8-10 with a 4.19 ERA (77 ER/165.1 IP) with 154 hits (23 HR), 85 total runs, 65 walks (1 IBB), 18 hit batters, and 167 strikeouts in 30 games, all starts, for the Atlanta Braves last season. He is one of four pitchers to make at least 30 starts in each full season since 2018 (not including 2020), along with José Berríos, Patrick Corbin, and Aaron Nola. During the last four years with the Braves, he combined to go 45-34 with a 3.87 ERA (295 ER/686.1 IP).

Morton is a 17-year veteran with the Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Between the five teams, he’s gone 138-123 with a 4.01 ERA (948 ER/2,125.2 IP) with 1,991 hits (203 HR), 1,045 total runs, 787 walks (25 IBB), 186 hit batters, and 2,047 strikeouts in 383 games (382 starts). His 138 wins are tied for the seventh most among active pitchers. He finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting and received a vote for Most Valuable Player in 2019 with the Rays. Morton also made the All-Star team that year, marking his second straight All-Star season after doing so with the Astros in 2018.

A native of Flemington, NJ, Morton was originally selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft out of Joel Barlow (CT) High School. He was acquired by Pittsburgh along with Gorkys Hernández and Jeff Locke in exchange for Nate McLouth on June 3, 2009. Philadelphia acquired him for David Whitehead on December 12, 2015. Morton then signed MLB contracts with Houston, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta.

To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher René Pinto was designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams on a two-year contract on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Williams, 32, returns to the Nationals after going 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 18 walks in 13 starts in 2024. He allowed just three home runs in 66.2 innings pitched and held opposing batters to a .214 batting average along the way. His career-best 2.03 ERA was the lowest in a season in Nationals history (2005-pres.) by a pitcher with at least 10 starts. Williams was particularly strong at home, going 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA (4 ER/26.1 IP), 30 strikeouts and four walks in five starts at Nationals Park.

Williams started his second season in Washington on a strong note, going 4-0 with a 1.94 ERA (9 ER/41.2 IP) in his first eight starts. His best stretch came in three starts from May 1 to May 14 when he pitched to a 0.60 ERA (1 ER/15.0 IP). He tossed 5.0 innings of shutout ball in back-to-back starts on May 1 at Texas and May 7 vs. Baltimore.

Williams was placed on the Injured List on June 1 with a right flexor muscle strain and did not return to the mound until Sept. 20. He capped the season by allowing just one earned run in 10.0 innings (0.90 ERA ) with 12 strikeouts, two walks and a .176 opponents’ average (6-for-34) over his last two starts.

This marks Williams’s second two-year contract with the Nationals after first signing with the organization on Dec. 10, 2022. He is 12-11 with a 4.44 ERA in 43 starts across two seasons (2023-24) in D.C. In parts of nine Major League seasons, Williams is 50-55 with a 4.30 ERA in 202 games (161 starts).

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Agreed to terms on a 2025 minor league contract with INF/OF Nick Gordon.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Agreed to terms on 2025 minor league contracts with OF Jordyn Adams, RHP Matt Bowman, and RHP Gerald Ogando.

The Washington Nationals acquired first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Texas Rangers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Robert Garcia on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Lowe, 29, won a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2023, a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award in 2022, and was a member of the 2023 World Champion Texas Rangers. In 2024, he paced the Rangers and ranked in the American League in walks (6^th, 71) and on-base percentage (9^th, .361). His .361 on-base percentage ranked second among American League first basemen, while his .762 OPS ranked third. Lowe’s 12.6% walk rate ranked fourth in all of Major League Baseball.

In his fourth season in Texas in 2024, Lowe hit .265 with 16 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 69 RBI, 71 walks, two stolen bases and 62 runs scored in 140 games. He ranked second among American League first basemen with seven outs above average and fourth with a .995 fielding percentage. Lowe is under club control through the 2026 season.

The left-handed hitting Lowe is a career .272/.356/.433 hitter with 114 doubles, 10 triples, 89 home runs, 329 RBI, 314 walks and 334 runs scored in 686 games across six Major League seasons with Texas (2021-24) and Tampa Bay. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Lowe was originally selected by the Rays in the 13^th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Mississippi State University.

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka on a one-year contract on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Soroka, 27, pitched to a 4.74 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 79.2 innings pitched in 25 games (nine starts) for the Chicago White Sox in 2024. He opened the season in Chicago’s rotation before moving to the bullpen in mid-May. He went on to post a .189 opponents’ batting average, 15.00 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (60 SO/36.0 IP) and a 2.75 ERA (11 ER/36.0 IP) in 16 relief appearances the rest of the season. Soroka capped the 2024 campaign by striking out 13 of the 26 batters he faced with two walks and a .083 opponents’ batting average (2-for-24) across his final three outings.

A National League All-Star for the Atlanta Braves in 2019, Soroka went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 29 starts en route to finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in his first full Major League season. From 2018 to 2023 as a member of the Braves staff, Soroka went 17-8 with a 3.32 ERA in 44 games (43 starts).

Soroka was selected by Atlanta in the first round (No. 28 overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary, Alberta. He was acquired by the Chicago White Sox as a part of a five-player trade on Nov. 16, 2023.

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher TOMOYUKI SUGANO (菅野 智之) on a one-year major league contract for the 2025 season. 

Sugano (pronounced toh-moh-yoo-kee soo-GAH-noh), 35, has spent his entire 12-year professional career with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League in Japan. He won the Central League MVP last season, going 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA (29 ER/156.2 IP) with 132 hits (6 HR), 16 walks, four hit batters, and 111 strikeouts in 24 starts, including three complete games and one shutout. His 2.6 percent walk rate and 0.9 walks-per-nine innings were the lowest of his career. Sugano led NPB in wins, while his ERA ranked second and was the second lowest of his career.

A native of Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan, Sugano has compiled a 136-74 record with a 2.43 ERA (501 ER/1,857.0 IP) with 1,568 hits (142 HR), 347 walks (12 IBB), 52 hit batters, and 1,585 strikeouts in 276 career games (248 GS) with the Giants. He is a three-time Central League MVP (2014, 2020, 2024), a three-time Central League Mitsui Golden Glove Award winner (2016-18), an eight-time All-Star (2013-19, 2022), a two-time Eiji Sawamura Award honoree (2017-18), presented to the top pitcher in NPB each season, and MVP of the 2013 Central League Climax Series, the playoff format in NPB. Sugano has led the Central League in wins four times (2017-18, 2020, & 2024), ERA four times (2014, 2016-18), and strikeouts twice (2016, 2018). He earned the triple crown in 2018 after leading NPB in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. He also pitched for Team Japan at the 2017 World Baseball Classic and started the semifinal game against Team USA on March 21, 2017, at Dodger Stadium, allowing one unearned run on three hits and one walk with six strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Sugano attended Tokai University (Tokyo, JPN).

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

The Washington Nationals selected right-handed pitcher Evan Reifert in the Major League phase of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Reifert, 25, joins the Nationals after spending the last three seasons in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He pitched in 35 games for Double-A Montgomery in 2024, going 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA (9 ER/41.1 IP). He struck out 65 and allowed just 22 hits, holding opponents to a .155  batting average, earning a Southern League All-Star nod at season’s end.

Following the 2023 season, the Wilton, Iowa native struck out 25 and allowed just one hit in 11.2 scoreless innings in the Arizona Fall League, earning the league’s Pitcher of the Year Award.

The hard-throwing reliever ranks sixth in all of Minor League Baseball (min. 140.0 IP) since 2018, holding opponents to a .165 batting average in those six seasons.

Reifert is 12-5 with a 3.01 ERA in 112 Minor League games in his career after he was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 30th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft. He has struck out 242 in 146.1 innings of work.

Fans who purchase tickets from Dec. 11-22 will be entered into the
‘Cheers to 20 Years’ Sweepstakes, the biggest giveaway in Club history 
Highlights Include Team Road Trip, 20^th Anniversary Ring,
Spring Training Experience and Free Tickets

Single-game tickets for the Washington Nationals 20^th Anniversary season are now on sale to the general public, and fans who purchase at least one ticket from Wednesday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 22, will be automatically entered into the Cheers to 20 Years Sweepstakes for the chance to win one of 20 incredible prizes. Fans can purchase tickets and learn more about the sweepstakes at nats.com/Cheers.

The Cheers to 20 Years Sweepstakes – the biggest sweepstakes in Club history – is part of the Nationals’ season-long NATS20 celebration, which will thank fans for two decades of #NATITUDE. One grand prize winner and a guest will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a road trip like a Major Leaguer, from travel on the official team charter, hotel accommodations, game tickets and even per diem for food and drinks during the trip. Additionally, one grand prize winner will receive an authentic 20^th Anniversary ring, commissioned specially for the season, with a retail value of nearly $6,000. One second place winner will receive an all-inclusive Spring Training package for two people, including travel, hotel accommodations, food and premium tickets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Eighteen other winners will each receive 20 tickets to use at any point during the 2025 regular season.

The Nationals’ 20^th Anniversary season begins at Nationals Park on Thursday, March 27, at 4:05 p.m. versus the Philadelphia Phillies. The NATS20 campaign will feature alumni appearances, the chance for fans to relive their favorite moments from the first 20 years of Nationals baseball and special giveaways:

• Friday, April 4 – Replica commemorative ring (20,000 fans)
• Among the 20,000 replicas, 20 lucky fans will find a special “golden ticket” in their giveaway box, which can be redeemed for an authentic commemorative ring valued at nearly $6,000.
• Saturday, April 5 – Replica 2005 jersey (20,000 fans)
• Saturday, April 26 – NATS20 cap (20,000 fans)
• Saturday, May 24 – Mystery moments bobblehead (20,000 fans)
• Fans will receive one of three “mystery moments” bobbleheads, each highlighting a special memory from the first 20 years of Nationals baseball
• Sunday, June 15 – NATS20 Hawaiian shirt (20,000 fans)

The full promotional schedule is available now at nats.com/Promotions. Single-game tickets for the 2025 season, as well as details about the Cheers to 20 Years Sweepstakes, are available now at nats.com/Cheers.

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with outfielder TYLER O’NEILL on a three-year major league contract for the 2025-27 seasons with a player opt-out following 2025, and catcher GARY SÁNCHEZ on a one-year major league contract for the 2025 season. 

O’Neill, 29, slashed .241/.336/.511 (99-for-411) with 18 doubles, 31 home runs, 74 runs scored, 61 RBI, 53 walks (5 IBB), seven hit-by-pitches, and four stolen bases in 113 games with the Boston Red Sox in 2024. His 31 homers led the team, the first Red Sox outfielder to lead the club in home runs since 2019. He was selected as the 2024 Players Choice Awards American League Comeback Player of the Year, an honor voted on by fellow players. O’Neill led all qualified MLB players with a .750 slugging percentage and finished second with a 1.179 OPS against left-handed pitching last season, while his 16 homers against southpaws were tied for the second most in the majors in 2024. In his first game with the Red Sox on March 28 at Seattle, he went deep in his fifth straight Opening Day to become the first player in MLB history to do so. O’Neill tallied two walk-off hits last year, including a three-run home run with Boston trailing 3-2 in the 10^th inning on September 11 against Baltimore. 

The two-time Gold Glover with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020 and 2021 was acquired by the Red Sox in exchange for right-handed pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos on December 8, 2023. In seven big league seasons between the two clubs, O’Neill has batted .246/.322/.469 (462-for-1875) with 85 doubles, three triples, 109 home runs, 313 runs scored, 278 RBI, 189 walks (5 IBB), 29 hit-by-pitches, and 44 stolen bases in 590 games. Born in Burnaby, British Columbia, his 109 homers are 10^th all-time by a Canadian-born player and the second most among active players behind Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (160). O’Neill was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in the third round (No. 85 overall) of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Garibaldi (BC, CAN) Secondary School before being acquired by St. Louis for left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales on July 21, 2017. 

Sánchez, 32, slashed .220/.307/.392 (54-for-245) with seven doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 30 runs scored, 37 RBI, 27 walks, and five hit-by-pitches in 89 games with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. He also appeared in two Postseason games in the National League Wild Card Series against the New York Mets, going 2-for-7 with a double. Seven of his 11 homers came against left-handed pitchers as he slugged .423 against southpaws compared to .369 vs. righties last season. 

Over 10 MLB seasons, Sánchez has batted .224/.309/.463 (636-for-2836) with 118 doubles, three triples, 184 home runs, 404 runs scored, 485 RBI, 308 walks (9 IBB), 49 hit-by-pitches, and six stolen bases in 830 career games with the Brewers, Mets, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, and New York Yankees. The two-time All-Star has hit 151 homers as a catcher since 2016, trailing only Kansas City’s Salvador Perez (152) for the most in the majors during that time. He finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2016 behind Detroit’s Michael Fulmer and earned his only career Silver Slugger Award in 2017. 

Twenty lucky fans will receive “golden ticket” redeemable for
authentic 20^th Anniversary commemorative ring

The Washington Nationals today unveiled highlights of the Club’s 2025 promotional schedule, featuring an array of exclusive bobbleheads, collectibles, player-designed wearables and special events for fans of all ages. Single-game tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, Dec. 11, with early access for Season Plan Holders.

Throughout the season, the Nationals will celebrate two decades of #NATITUDE with special giveaways, alumni appearances and more. To kickstart the 20^th Anniversary festivities and to mark exactly 20 years since the Nationals’ inaugural game (April 4, 2005, at Philadelphia), NATS20 Anniversary Weekend will feature one of the biggest promotions in team history. While 20,000 fans attending the game vs. Arizona on Friday, April 4, will receive a replica 20^th Anniversary ring, 20 lucky fans will receive a “golden ticket” redeemable for the real thing, valued at nearly $6,000. The celebration continues the following day, as 20,000 fans receive 2005 replica jerseys, with additional NATS20 giveaways scheduled throughout the season.

NATS20 Promotions

• Friday, April 4 – Replica commemorative ring (20,000 fans)

o   Among the 20,000 replicas, 20 lucky fans will find a special “golden ticket” in their giveaway box, which can be redeemed for an authentic commemorative ring valued at nearly $6,000

Minor League Baseball (“MiLB”) is pleased to announce that the Baltimore Orioles organization has been named the recipient of the inaugural MiLB Sportsmanship Award. This award is presented to the Major League Baseball (“MLB”) organization whose Minor League personnel best exemplify MiLB’s commitment to fostering a culture of sportsmanship and professionalism on the field.

Four organizations were selected as finalists for this award for the 2024 season: Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore’s four affiliates – Norfolk, Bowie (now Chesapeake), Aberdeen and Delmarva – set the standard for exemplary sportsmanship while maintaining a competitive environment for player development without undue interruptions from on-field conflicts. Remarkably, no player, manager, or coach in the Orioles system missed a game due to a suspension for on-field conduct in 2024.

“From top to bottom throughout the season, the Orioles organization stood out for their professionalism on the field and the respect shown to umpires, opponents, and fans,” said Michael Hill, MLB’s Senior Vice President of On-Field Operations. “We appreciate their efforts and are pleased to recognize them with this well-deserved honor.”

“We pride ourselves on building a strong learning environment that helps people grow and believe that displaying exemplary behavior is an important aspect of that standard,” said Anthony Villa, Baltimore’s Director of Player Development. “We are proud to be recognized by Minor League Baseball with the inaugural MiLB Sportsmanship Award as this is a credit to our players, our coaches, our support staff, and everyone in between, showcasing their positive energy and the effort they bring to their jobs every single day.”

Each season, MLB organizations work closely with their on-field personnel to emphasize the importance of developing as professionals while creating a positive environment on and off the field. Educational materials are provided to communicate the significance of an on-field culture that positively impacts the game of baseball, Minor League players, and fans.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• RHP Thaddeus Ward has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 37 players.

NATS20 Celebration Highlights Include:

Cheers to 20 Years Sweepstakes
Fan Favorite Moments
NATS20 Promotional Items
NATS20 Tuesdays

The Washington Nationals today announced the launch of NATS20, a season-long 20^th Anniversary celebration, thanking fans for two decades of #NATITUDE. Highlighted by the Cheers to 20 Years Sweepstakes, the campaign features in-park giveaways, special alumni appearances and the chance for fans to relive their favorite memories from the first 20 years of Nationals baseball. Details of the sweepstakes – the biggest in Club history – will be unveiled next week when single-game tickets go on sale.

“From our first game at RFK, to Ryan Zimmerman’s walk-off to open Nationals Park and of course 2019 World Series, the last 20 years have been filled with so many amazing and memorable moments,” said Mark D. Lerner, Managing Principal Owner of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club. “And while the players, the ballpark and even the logo have changed, our fans have remained constant, which is why we’re so excited to put them at the forefront of our 20^th Anniversary celebration. We look forward to hearing their stories and to making many more with the next generation of our players and fans.”

The Nationals 2025 promotional calendar, including exclusive NATS20 giveaways, will be unveiled next week when single-game tickets go on sale, alongside details of the Cheers to 20 Years Sweepstakes.

The Orioles today announced that individual tickets for all Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale Monday, December 9, at 12 p.m. ET. The club also announced its Spring Training promotional schedule.

Beginning Monday, fans can purchase individual tickets for all 2025 Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium. Birdland Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets as part of an exclusive pre-sale on Thursday, December 5. Fans who register for the Sarasota 365 newsletter will also have access to a pre-sale on Monday, December 9 at 10 a.m. Single game tickets can be purchased online at Orioles.com/SpringTickets. The Ed Smith Stadium Box Office will be open for in-person sales beginning Tuesday, January 21 at 10 a.m. and will remain open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for all of Spring Training.

The 2025 Spring Training promotional schedule features giveaways and experiences for fans of all ages. Again this year, the Orioles will invite children and seniors to run the bases after select home games. Kids Run the Bases, presented by The Out-of-Door Academy, is open to all fans ages four to 14 following every Sunday home game, while Seniors Stroll the Bases, presented by Sunways Senior Living Concierge, will return following Monday and Wednesday home games for fans ages 60 and older.

The promotional schedule is also highlighted by special event days and giveaways. Fans can enjoy Heroes Day (February 25) presented by Cheney Brothers, Family Weekend (March 8-9), Youth Sports Day (March 9) presented by First Watch, and Fireworks Night (March 21). They can also receive various giveaways throughout the spring season, including a Magnet Schedule (February 22) presented by Tommy’s Express Car Wash, a Plush Cow (March 1) presented by Chick-fil-A, an Orioles Rally Towel (March 8), and a Spring Training Gunnar Henderson T-shirt (March 14).

As part of the first ever Family Weekend, fans will have the opportunity to purchase a Family Weekend ticket package. The offer, which provides a 25 percent savings, starts at $20 per ticket and can be used to purchase anywhere from three to eight tickets. Family Weekend will have something fun for all ages, including meet and greets with the Oriole Bird. Fans can purchase ticket packages and find additional details at Orioles.com/SpringFamilyWeekend.

The Washington Nationals have been named the recipient of the 2024 Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence in recognition of a decade of community impact through the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday. The Academy, the signature program of Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the Club’s charitable arm, uses baseball and softball as vehicles to foster positive character development, academic achievement and improved health among youth living in underserved communities.

Established in 2014, the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy embodies the broader mission of Nationals Philanthropies in fueling access and opportunities for all of D.C.’s children, families and communities to thrive. In the decade since, the Academy has served more than 6,000 children ages 5 to 18 through a continuum of holistic youth development programs. Six classes have matriculated from third through eighth grade in the core after-school and summer program, going on to excel on and off the field at some of the region’s most competitive high schools and, more recently, enrolling in colleges across the country.

“Throughout its first 10 years, the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy has grown into a community pillar, helping children, families and communities thrive through year-round programs,” said Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, founding chair and board member of Washington Nationals Philanthropies and president of The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation. “We are extremely honored that the Nationals Academy, the signature program of Nationals Philanthropies, has been selected by Major League Baseball and its fans as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence. We are proud of the decade of impact the Academy has made thus far, and we remain committed to serving our neighbors across the District with continued resources and programming for years to come.”

“The Nationals Youth Baseball Academy is a terrific example of how our Clubs are making a difference in the lives of young people with opportunities on and off the field,” said Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “I congratulate the Lerner family, the Washington Nationals organization, Nationals Philanthropies, and the entire staff at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy for this well-earned recognition. We are proud to celebrate their efforts and we look forward to their continued impact throughout the Greater D.C. region.”

The Academy provides a range of free youth development and baseball/softball programs, from fun, free clinics for beginners to structured programming that includes training, tournament play, participation in MLB events and more. Academy offerings have evolved over the last decade in response to community need and the growth of youth participants. 

The Baltimore Orioles today announced the return of the weekly “Orioles Hot Stove Show” on WBAL NewsRadio, the flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network. Beginning Thursday, December 5, fans can tune into AM 1090/FM 101.5 and WBAL.com each Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. ET as Orioles broadcasters GEOFF ARNOLD and BRETT HOLLANDER provide Orioles news, analysis, exclusive interviews, and more.

Arnold and Hollander will host the Hot Stove Show every Thursday from December 5, until the team reports to Spring Training in mid-February, with some exceptions. For more information, including updates on live show dates and locations, visit Orioles.com/HotStove.