nationals buzz

Livan Hernandez's story chronicled in ESPN's "Brothers in Exile" on Nov. 4

October 30, 2014, 10:06am

Come Tuesday night, when you're tired of channel surfing to find something - anything - other than election results, you can tune to ESPN for a civics and history lesson with a Nationals twist. As part of its "30 for 30" series, ESPN will present "Brothers in Exile," which chronicles the path that led two half-brothers - ex-National Livan Hernandez and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez - to defect from their native Cuba for a chance to play baseball in the major leagues. The siblings, both...

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Convention Center to host NatsFest on Dec. 13

October 23, 2014, 1:10pm

Nationals

Convention Center to host NatsFest on Dec. 13

NatsFest is returning to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and will be held Dec. 13, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase online here beginning Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. The fun-filled baseball festival - coming on the heels of the team's second National League East title in three seasons - will give fans of all ages the opportunity to interact with select Nationals players and team personnel. Among the activities will be live batting cages, exclusive...

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Palm Beach County OKs funds for Nats/Astros spring complex, teams have 90 days to find site (updated)

October 21, 2014, 7:53am

Nationals

Palm Beach County OKs funds for Nats/Astros spring complex, teams have 90 days to find site (updated)

Palm Beach County commissioners this morning voted 5-2 to approve $108 million in hotel bed tax revenues that will help fund the new spring training facility the Nationals and Houston Astros want to share. The teams now have 90 days to find a suitable site to build a new stadium, practice fields, offices and other facilities that would be used for both spring training and Grapefruit League games. "It's a critical step in the success of keeping Major League Baseball on the east coast of...

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Another obstacle for planned Nats/Astros spring complex in Palm Beach County

October 16, 2014, 6:34am

Nationals

Another obstacle for planned Nats/Astros spring complex in Palm Beach County

The Nationals' hopes to partner with the Houston Astros on a shared spring training complex in Palm Beach County have run into another obstacle: West Palm Beach, which owns the 160 acres the teams are targeting, is considering a $14 million offer for the property from a developer who wants to build there. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, city commissioners in West Palm Beach have decided to pursue a deal that would place town houses, retail businesses and a new park on the tract,...

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Former National Young hopes new vision leads to new career path

October 14, 2014, 11:00am

Nationals

Former National Young hopes new vision leads to new career path

Everything Dmitri Young thought he knew about baseball changed over the course of two weeks in Phoenix earlier this month. Now, armed with an innovative insight into the game he loves, the former Nationals first baseman is setting his sights on a new career path. The 41-year-old Young, who revived a moribund career with the Nats in 2007 to become an All-Star, recently graduated from Major League Baseball's scouting development program, an intensive two-week course affectionately known as...

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Ex-Nat Willingham savoring first taste of postseason

October 09, 2014, 10:24am

Nationals

Ex-Nat Willingham savoring first taste of postseason

BALTIMORE - Josh Willingham readily admits there were times during his 11 major league seasons that he wondered whether he'd ever taste the promised land of baseball's postseason. He was a part of the Nationals squad that went 59-103 in 2009, setting the stage for the team to take outfielder Bryce Harper with the first selection in the following year's First-Year Player Draft. Five times during his career, he's been on teams that lost 91 or more games. It would have been six had the...

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Red October: San Francisco, we have arrived

October 05, 2014, 8:27pm

Nationals

Red October: San Francisco, we have arrived

SAN FRANCISCO - Greetings from California! It's quite the change of pace out here on the West Coast, and the Nationals are hoping that can translate to victory in this must-win game Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Today marks our first time seeing AT&T Park. So follow along here and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as we show you behind-the-scenes looks of the ballpark as the Nats get ready for Game 3 of the National League Division Series! 12:35 p.m. - Bobby -...

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Red October: Back for Game 2 at Nationals Park

October 04, 2014, 11:45am

Nationals

We're back on a beautiful fall day in D.C. for Game 2 of the NLDS! The Nationals look to bounce back after dropping Game 1 last night. Just like yesterday, you can follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat at masnNationals. We had a lot of fun yesterday talking with fans at the ballpark and on social media! We're looking forward to today, and hope to see you out here! 4:22 p.m. - Olivia - It's a brisk and beautiful day here at the park. Here are some pictures from...

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Red October: All set for Game 1 at Nationals Park

October 02, 2014, 6:00pm

Nationals

We're back and ready for baseball! Olivia and Bobby here with you for the Game 1 of the NLDS. Like we blogged yesterday, we'll be here all through the series, bringing you behind-the-scenes looks at the Nationals. So, be sure to follow along with MASN on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. We'll keep updating this blog, so check in throughout the day to see what's new leading up to and during the game. Let's get started! 9 a.m. - Bobby - As expected, Stephen Strasburg will get...

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Red October: Prepping for the postseason

October 01, 2014, 5:32am

Nationals

Red October: Prepping for the postseason

Hey, Nats Nation. Olivia and Bobby here. The NLDS is almost here, and we're taking you along for our journey every step of the way. When the Nationals head to San Francisco, we'll be along for the ride, documenting our trip through tweets, Facebook updates, Instagram, this blog and even on Snapchat! So, click on the links above to get started. We're so excited to show you behind-the-scenes looks at your favorite team and sights of the ballpark! We'll keep adding updates to the top of this...

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David Huzzard: However you measure it, the Nationals dominated in 2014

October 02, 2014, 4:30am

Nationals

Just as it is unfair to judge a painting until the artist makes the final stroke, it is unfair to judge a baseball team until it's played its final game. On Sunday, the Nationals finished off the regular season with a masterful pitching performance by Jordan Zimmermann, as he threw the first no-hitter in Nationals history. It was truly the perfect ending to what had become a dominant season. Step behind a tapestry and the artist's plan will be lost in the mess of threads, but step around to...

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Rachel Levitin: Ready for another round of October baseball in D.C.

October 01, 2014, 5:18am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Ready for another round of October baseball in D.C.

When I first moved to D.C. in 2005 to start my freshman year at American University, my dad used to joke and say, "Good thing they've got a baseball team just in time for you to start. They must've known you were coming." This was funny unto himself, to me, and my family since I grew up and went to grade school within walking distance of Wrigley Field. It's because of that particular upbringing that I developed a love for the game of baseball. The sport's storied history was and still...

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Rachel Levitin: Younger Nats fans lucky to experience winning baseball in D.C.

September 24, 2014, 5:19am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Younger Nats fans lucky to experience winning baseball in D.C.

The last (and first) time the Nationals clinched the National League East championship, it was Oct. 1, 2012. It was the end of the season. Stakes were high. Adrenaline was ever-present. It was all new territory and they were able to secure the victory while also celebrating on their home turf at Nationals Park. The second time around, things were a little different. The Nats clinched their division on Sept. 16 in Atlanta at Turner Field with a couple of weeks still left in the season. Sure, it...

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Matt Williams discusses Ryan Zimmerman's health, potential playoff role

September 27, 2014, 11:15am

Nationals

Matt Williams discusses Ryan Zimmerman's health, potential playoff role

Since returning to the Nationals after suffering a right hamstring tear on July 22, Ryan Zimmerman has been a much-valued presence in the lineup and off the bench. The veteran offers versatility as he can play third base and left field, where he has made all three of his starts since his return. In his six games since his return, Zimmerman has posted a slash line of .286/.333/.429 over 14 at-bats. "The challenges are his leg and I think that's presenting itself nicely," Matt Williams...

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#IChallengeMatt: Take on the skipper at his own game in CareFirst Fan Challenge (updated)

August 07, 2014, 11:19am

Nationals

#IChallengeMatt: Take on the skipper at his own game in CareFirst Fan Challenge (updated)

From watching Matt Williams on and off the field, one word immediately comes to mind when I think about the Nationals skipper: intense. The manager often appears serious and in the zone while managing his team. But that doesn't mean he doesn't also have fun and let loose. You'll see the best of both worlds from Williams at our upcoming Fan Challenge, presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield! We're inviting you to take on Williams at his own game. What's that game, you ask? Fungo golf!...

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Marty Niland: One blogger's vote for 2014 Nats awards

September 22, 2014, 5:29am

Nationals

Marty Niland: One blogger's vote for 2014 Nats awards

Each year, the D.C. chapter of the Internet Baseball Writers Association polls members of the Nationals blogosphere to determine its Player Achievement Awards. The voting is organized by District Sports Page editor and fellow MASNsports.com guest blogger Dave Nichols. This year's winners will be announced on Monday, Sept. 29 on the DC-IBWAA Web site. This blogger is honored to have a ballot this year. Here are the submissions in a few categories, with explanations. A player receives five...

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David Huzzard: Nats' new magic number is 11

September 18, 2014, 5:53am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats' new magic number is 11

Eleven wins. That is what it will take for the Nationals to win the World Series. Sounds doable, right? All they need to do is go 11-8 in the month of October and they are not just the champions of the National League East, but the champions of the world. Winning 11 games in a month, playing three games over .500 - neither sounds too difficult for a team like the Nationals. Then you start looking at stats. The Nationals are second in the National League in runs scored with the only team in...

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Rachel Levitin: Nats have come a long way to earn second NL East crown in three years

September 17, 2014, 5:14am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Nats have come a long way to earn second NL East crown in three years

Well, that answers that. The Nationals are officially the National League East champions for the second time in three years after clinching that spot at Turner Field in Atlanta on Tuesday night. What a ride it's been thus far. To think that just two years ago, a perennial cellar-dweller clinched its first division title and has continued to make its visible imprint upon the major league landscape since then. Sure, the success of the 2014 squad can be attributed to many within the current...

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Dave Nichols: Division crown in sight, but still work to be done

September 16, 2014, 5:52am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Division crown in sight, but still work to be done

Entering play Tuesday, the Nationals' magic number to clinch the National League East was two. All they have to do is win one of the next two games against the Braves and the Nats will take the division title with almost two weeks left in the season. After they sew up the division, it'll give manager Matt Williams time to rest some guys, sort out his bullpen and set his starting rotation for the playoffs. The Nats won't be taking it easy, though, as they are a half-game ahead of the...

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Marty Niland: No slow lane on the road to the 2014 postseason

September 15, 2014, 4:49am

Nationals

Marty Niland: No slow lane on the road to the 2014 postseason

It comes down to this: With 14 games left in the regular season, the Nationals visit their division archrivals in Atlanta with a chance to clinch the National League East, drop the Braves below .500 and send them to the outer fringes of the postseason picture. In a season where they've overcome numerous injuries and setbacks, and a year removed from a disappointing out-of-the-money finish, it would be nice if the Nats could clinch in front of their home fans. But it's a great consolation to...