Washington socialites: Twitter stalking the Nats from opening week

Washington socialites: Twitter stalking the Nats from opening week
Twitter has given fans a new way to connect to their favorite Nationals. Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond and Gio Gonzalez are just few Nats that have taken to Twitter to keep their fans in the loop. Every week, we'll take a look back on the week that was in the Nationals' Twitterverse. So without further ado, let's get started. Gio Gonzalez helped steady our heart rates before the best day of the year: Breathe it in Boys and Girls,Opening Day Is In the Air. #2014 #OpeningDay #NatsvsMets - Gio...

Inside the Park: The boys are back in town

Inside the Park: The boys are back in town
Even though it was exciting to watch the Nationals sweep the Mets in New York, there's nothing like baseball being played in the nation's capital. Yesterday, the Nats hosted the Braves for their home opener in front of 42,834 fans at Nationals Park. The stadium was alive as James Brown announced the starting lineup, the boys ran out on the red carpet and the flag was unfurled in the outfield. We captured some of that electric atmosphere in the video below. While you take a look back at the...

Throwback Thursday: The top moments from 2013

Throwback Thursday: The top moments from 2013
From Bryce Harper's opening day show to Denard Span's hitting streak and so much more, last season was filled with so many memorable moments. I've spent every Thursday since October throwin' it back to these moments, and at last, we are at the final Thursday before opening day. I'm dedicating our last Throwback Thursday post to the best of the best from 2013. While you anxiously wait these last four days for the 2014 season to begin, relive last year's highlights in the video...

Throwback Thursday: A big win for Jordan

Throwback Thursday: A big win for Jordan
The fifth starter competition has really heated up after Matt Williams announced earlier this week that Ross Detwiler will start the 2014 season in the bullpen. Now, Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark and Chris Young have 11 days to prove why they belong in the Nationals rotation. Last season, we had an opportunity to get a look at Jordan on the big stage, and he finished with a 3.66 ERA in nine appearances with the Nats. Do you see Jordan breaking out of camp as the Nationals' fifth starter? As...

Throwback Thursday: A not-so-routine line drive

Throwback Thursday: A not-so-routine line drive
With the season right around the corner, fans are anxiously anticipating the next 162 games. Over the span of the next six months, we will get to witness tons of home runs, strikeouts and diving catches, but sometimes, it's the little things that remind you why you watch the Nationals day in and day out. This week, I decided to switch it up a little. I'm throwin' it back to a late September game at Nats Park. In the seventh inning, a routine line drive was hit directly to Ian Desmond....

Throwback Thursday: The human highlight reel strikes again

Throwback Thursday: The human highlight reel strikes again
Whenever Bryce Harper steps into the batter's box or has a ball hit his way, people take notice. His huge home runs and diving grabs have made him a human highlight reel. In the video below, the stage was set for another one of Harper's highlights. It was the bottom of the ninth in Kansas City as the Nationals were trying to protect to an 11-10 lead. With a speedy runner on first and one out, Harper knew that a double would likely result in a run to tie the game, so Harper was playing deep...

Throwback Thursday: Stras' supreme shutout

Throwback Thursday: Stras' supreme shutout
Entering the 2014 season, the Nationals have one of the best rotations in baseball. Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmermann are returning for their third season together at the top of the Nats rotation. Mike Rizzo acquired Doug Fister in the offseason to add even more strength behind the strong 1-2-3 punch. And finally, behind all of that talent, the competition to be the fifth starter has been heating up in spring training. It's difficult to emerge as the ace in such a...

Throwback Thursday: Roark's dominance

Throwback Thursday: Roark's dominance
Last season, Tanner Roark emerged as a force to be reckoned with. As someone who came into 2013 unheralded, Roark enters spring training today competing for a chance to be a part of the Nationals rotation. After making his major league debut on Aug. 7, Roark appeared in 14 games, finishing with a 7-1 record and a 1.51 ERA. The video below highlights one of his strongest outings of the season, when he threw seven scoreless innings against the Braves with six strikeouts. Roark reports with...

Throwback Thursday: The presidents' surprise near the finish line

Throwback Thursday: The presidents' surprise near the finish line
We're less than two months from the Nats' home opener. That means we are less than two months away from witnessing home runs, enjoying ballpark food and most importantly, watching the Presidents Race. OK, maybe it's not the most important aspect of Nationals home games, but it is a staple at Nats Park. Every game, before the bottom of the fourth inning, George, Abe, Tom, Teddy, and Bill face off in a good, old-fashioned foot race. While you wait patiently to watch another season full of...

Throwback Thursday: One-hit wonder

Throwback Thursday: One-hit wonder
With 32 wins and a 3.12 ERA since coming to D.C. in 2012, Gio Gonzalez has proven to be a valuable part of the Nationals rotation. Last September, after throwing a complete game in his previous outing, Gonzalez had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning in New York. With Nats fans on the edge of their seats, the right-hander gave up his first hit after retiring 18 Mets in a row. Gonzalez finished with eight strikeouts in his first career one-hitter. Relive the veteran's dominant...

Throwback Thursday: A memorable return from the DL

Throwback Thursday: A memorable return from the DL
After missing 31 games because of injury, Bryce Harper made his return on July 1, 2013 at home against the Brewers. As he approached home plate for his first at-bat, D.C. fans gave Harper a standing ovation. Just as fans sat back down, Harper gave them a reason to return to their feet. On a 1-0 count in his first at-bat in 36 days, Harper smashed a pitch into the Brewers bullpen. Nationals Park rose to its feet, half-stunned, the other half not surprised, as everyone joined to applaud the...

Throwback Thursday: A mid-game grooming session

Throwback Thursday: A mid-game grooming session
Normally we use our Throwback Thursday segment to relive a great play from 2013, but this week, we're throwin' it back to a moment that was memorable for a different reason. On a summer evening against the Phillies, Ian Desmond went to the plate in the first inning and grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. When he came up for his next at bat, Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo noticed something different about the Nationals shortstop. Between the first and third innings, Desmond had gone to...

Throwback Thursday: Bringing excitement into the new year

Throwback Thursday: Bringing excitement into the new year
Now that 2014 is underway, opening day seems so close, yet so far away. The Nationals appear to be done with their major offseason moves, leaving fans with reason to anticipate the beginning of another baseball season in D.C. This week, in case you weren't pumped up enough for the upcoming season, we're throwin' it back to the most exciting play from 2013. I'm sure most of you know which play I am referring to, so without further adieu, relive Denard Span's thrilling game-saving catch in...

Throwback Thursday: A diving play at the plate

Throwback Thursday: A diving play at the plate
Despite rumors that the Nationals were looking for a backup catcher earlier in the offseason, the Nats say they're comfortable with either Jhonatan Solano or Sandy Leon backing up Wilson Ramos behind the plate in 2014. Last season, Solano appeared in 24 games for the Nats and made one of the best plays of his young career in a 3-2 ballgame against Philadelphia. Relive his run-saving play at the plate in the video below and check back every Thursday for more memorable moments from 2013....

Throwback Thursday: One of those nights

Throwback Thursday: One of those nights
Between icy weather and offseason moves, it's safe to say we're in the meat of the offseason. With that said, it's easy to lose sight of those exciting summer nights - those nights that remind you why you love the Nationals. This week, we're throwin' back to one of those nights. On a warm summer night in Philly, Ian Desmond came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the 11th. If you don't remember what happens next, I'm sure you can guess. Relive Desmond's...

Throwback Thursday: A sendoff for a homegrown kid

Throwback Thursday: A sendoff for a homegrown kid
Earlier this week, the Nationals acquired right-hander Doug Fister from the Tigers in exchange for infielder Steve Lombardozzi, and left-handers Ian Krol and Robbie Ray. Despite the excitement surrounding Fister joining the Nats rotation, many D.C. fans were sad to see Lombardozzi go. The kid from Atholton High School always seemed to be a fan favorite around Nats Park. In honor of his time with the Nationals, we're throwin' it back to one of Lombo's memorable moments. In this highlight...

Throwback Thursday: A walk-off homer for Thanksgiving

Throwback Thursday: A walk-off homer for Thanksgiving
Everyone has Thanksgiving traditions, and for most families, those include sitting around the television watching football. On a day where football takes center stage, I thought we'd throw it back to a moment that reminds us of our love and passion for baseball. What better way to do so than with a walk-off home run? With the Nationals holding onto hope in the playoff race, Bryce Harper gave D.C. a reason to keep buzzing with a game-winning shot. Relive the excitement in the video below and...

Throwback Thursday: Three home runs, one ballgame

Throwback Thursday: Three home runs, one ballgame
With six seasons of hitting 20 or more home runs and two Silver Slugger Awards, Ryan Zimmerman is no stranger when it comes to hitting balls out of the park. On a spring evening in Baltimore, Zimmerman proved just how powerful he is by crushing three different pitches to three different parts of the ballpark. Relive the excitement of Zimmerman's first career three-homer game in the video below. Your browser does not support iframes.

Throwback Thursday: Ramos enjoys a festive Fourth

Throwback Thursday: Ramos enjoys a festive Fourth
The Fourth of July at Nationals Park is one of the best days of the season. I mean, what better way to celebrate our nation than watching the Nationals play the national pastime in our nation's capital? This year, in addition to the holiday, the Fourth was made even more special with the return of Wilson Ramos. After missing most of 2012 with a knee injury and sitting out the beginning of this season because of a hamstring injury, Ramos didn't waste any time before making an impact....

Throwback Thursday: An extra-special slam

Throwback Thursday: An extra-special slam
Yesterday, Ian Desmond was awarded his second straight Silver Slugger. In honor of the slugger's solid season at the plate, we're takin' it back to one of his most memorable at-bats of the season. With the game tied in the 11th against the Phillies, Desmond stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. Relive Desi's extra-special slam below and check back every Thursday for more great plays from 2013. Your browser does not support iframes.