Washington Nationals Launch Speakers Bureau Program
The Washington Nationals today announced the creation of a Speakers Bureau, intended to provide professional organizations and higher learning institutions with the opportunity to hear from Nationals Front Office Executives about the business of baseball. Nationals employees well-versed in their trade are available to speak on topics including, but not limited to, ballpark/facility operations, media relations, marketing, community outreach, broadcasting, history of baseball in Washington,...
The Washington Nationals today named Casey McKeon Director of Player Procurement and Jay Robertson Special Assistant to the General Manager. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
McKeon joins the Nationals after spending the previous seven seasons with the Colorado Rockies, where he was Assistant to the General Manager to Dan O'Dowd, the Rockies Executive Vice President and General Manager. The Rockies won the 2007 National League Championship...
The Washington Nationals today named Ron Schueler Special Advisor to the General Manager. The Nationals also promoted Bill Singer to Director of Professional Scouting. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
A 42-year baseball veteran, Schueler joins the Nationals after serving the previous two seasons as Senior Advisor of Player Personnel for the San Francisco Giants. Schueler is perhaps best known for an 11-year stint (1990-2000) as General...
The Washington Nationals today claimed left-handed reliever Doug Slaten off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Slaten, who stands 6-foot-5, is 3-5 with 13 holds and a 3.68 ERA in 126 career big league appearances with Arizona spanning four seasons (2006-2009). During his four-year big league career, Slaten has suffered just one blown save, stranded 77 percent of inherited baserunners (60 of 78) and...
NATIONALS THIRD BASEMAN RYAN ZIMMERMAN
EARNS FIRST RAWLINGS GOLD GLOVE AWARD
Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman today was named the recipient of the 2009 National League Rawlings Gold Glove for third basemen. The defensive citation is the first of Zimmerman's career.
Zimmerman led all National League third baggers this season in total chances (MLB-best 459), assists (MLB-high 325), range factor per game (2.97) and games started (153). At 18.1, Zimmerman also paced NL third...
The Washington Nationals today named Jim Riggleman field manager. Nationals President Stan Kasten and Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the joint announcement.
Riggleman will return in 2010 after posting a 33-42 (.440) record upon assuming the Nationals' helm on July 13. Riggleman's Nationals displayed marked improvement in extra-inning (3-1), one-run (13-9) and NL East (17-16) contests despite having a rookie starting pitcher toe the rubber 45 times in 75...
Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman today was named the recipient of the 2009 National League Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger for third basemen. The Silver Slugger citation is the first of Zimmerman's career.
Zimmerman enjoyed a breakout season at the plate in 2009, hitting .292 (178-for-610) with 37 doubles, a career-high 33 home runs, 106 RBI and a career-best 110 runs scored in 157 games. He ranked among NL leaders in runs (fourth), total bases (fifth, 320), RBI (sixth),...
The Washington Nationals today named Bryan Minniti Assistant General Manager and Jay Sartori Director of Baseball Operations. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Minniti joins the Nationals after spending the previous nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the last two as their Director of Baseball Operations. With the Pirates, Minniti's focuses included rules compliance, transactions, budgeting and contract negotiations. Minniti graduated...
The Washington Nationals today claimed catcher Chris Coste off waivers from the New York Mets. Nationals Senior Vice President & General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Coste, who will join the Nationals' big league camp, batted .308 (4-for-13) with two doubles and one RBI in 10 spring training contests with the Mets. The 37-year-old appeared in 88 games last season with the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, and has posted a career .272 batting average with 47 doubles, 23...
Ben Goessling, Nationals Guest Host, MASNsports.com Blogger
Ben Goessling joined MASN in January 2010. He covers the Nationals and makes guest appearances during pre- and post-game broadcasts.
Goessling is in his third year covering the Nationals after two seasons on the beat at the Washington Times, where he was a frequent contributor to MASN's pre-game shows during the "Hot Corner" segment. In addition to covering the Nationals and two World Series, he covered the Washington Capitals,...
Phil Wood, Co-Host of Nats Xtra
A native Washingtonian, Phil Wood has spent his entire career in the D.C.-Baltimore area. Throughout the years he's hosted radio sports talk shows in both markets with a decided emphasis on baseball, and has also performed on-air duties on and around broadcasts of the Washington Bullets and Capitals; Baltimore Orioles, Colts, Ravens, and Skipjacks (AHL); and Bowie Baysox.
Phil's a past winner of the NSSA Maryland Sportscaster of the Year Award, a "Best...