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...

It's officially 2014, which means we're officially ready for the 2014 baseball season to begin. Who am I kidding? I've been ready for opening day since the last out of the 2013 season. This week, in effort to get fans pumped for a new year, we're throwin' it back to one of Nick Markakis' best defensive plays from last season. Watch him rob Adrian Beltre of a home run in the video below and check back every Thursday for more memorable moments from 2013. Your browser does not support...

After watching a beautiful snow-filled NHL Winter Classic game yesterday that dramatically ended in a shootout, count me among those who are pumped about next year's Winter Classic in D.C. The Capitals will host the NHL's signature event next year, and according to multiple reports, the Winter Classic will be held at Nationals Park, which is viewed as the best option in the D.C. area because of the uncertainty involving the Redskins' schedule. I think it's fairly safe to say the snow...

We've moved past the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, also known as baseball's dead zone. The Angels signed veteran left-hander Mark Mulder to a minor league contract yesterday, the Astros signed reliever Jesse Crain to a one-year deal on Tuesday and the Pirates acquired first baseman Chris McGuiness from the Rangers for reliever Miles Mikolas on Monday, so there was a slight pulse. The shelves in the free agent market are far from bare. Still plenty of big-ticket items for...

After putting together the Orioles' top 10 prospects list this winter for Baseball America, the question I was asked the most was about ranking Dylan Bundy as the club's No. 1 prospect with Kevin Gausman No. 2. Some fans wondered how close it was between the two pitching prospects. First of all, keep in mind the editors at Baseball America - as they certainly should - make up the final list and have the final call. I certainly stand fully by the decision to rank Bundy No. 1. That list is...

Well, hey there, folks. I got back from my trip to Europe just in time to ring in 2014 in style, and we've now got a brand new calendar to kick off with less than six weeks separating us from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. It'll be here before we know it, I'm sure. Hope everyone had a great holiday season as well as a happy and safe New Years. Thanks to Byron Kerr and Pete Kerzel for picking up the slack for me while I was on my trip, which was fantastic. I had a...

First of all, happy new year to everyone. As this holiday season is coming to a close, I hope it's been special and wonderful for all of you. Now, back to baseball. Some fans have already made some dire predictions for the 2014 Orioles. They have predicted fourth place. They have predicted a losing record. Heck, one reader here predicted 72 wins the other day. Do you all really believe that? Or is that just venting over the offseason to date? As we officially begin a new year today - a few...

Eligible members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America were required to submit their Hall of Fame ballots by Dec. 31. I mailed in mine a week early, figuring the career stats of each candidate weren't going to change. There's no perfect ballot. Voters will be criticized for playing morality police and excluding candidates who were linked to performance-enhancing drugs. They will be criticized for including cheaters. Can't please everyone. The BBWAA and Hall of Fame allow a...

Former major league catcher Michael Barrett, who started his career with the Expos, is now back in the organization. He's beginning his new venture as manager for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals. The Atlanta native said he had thought about managing during his playing career and has kept close to the game. Recently, he has coached amateur baseball, ran a baseball school and was a volunteer assistant baseball coach at the University of North Georgia. "I always played around with the...

The 2013 season was another fantastic year at Nats Park. Some of my best memories of the summer are Nationals-inspired, including working events with contest winners and Ryan Zimmerman, watching Jordan Zimmermann retire batter after batter and just taking in a packed Nats Park on a Friday night. On our Instagram feed, we asked you to post your favorite memories of 2013 with #masnNationals. We got a great response, with people sharing pictures of their favorite players, photos of a beautiful...