nationals buzz

Mark Zuckerman named D.C. Sportswriter of the Year

January 17, 2018, 6:12am

MASNsports.com Nationals beat writer Mark Zuckerman has been named as the Sportswriter of the Year for Washington, D.C., by the National Sports Media Association. Zuckerman, who joined MASNsports.com in 2016, will be honored at the 59th annual NSMA Awards Weekend in Winston-Salem, N.C., from June 23-25. He's a first-time winner of the award, which is voted on by other D.C.-based sportswriters. "This is definitely unexpected," Zuckerman said. "There are tons of really talented sportswriters...

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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Gonzalez shuts down Brew Crew at home

January 17, 2018, 8:38am

Nationals

What more can be said about the season Gio Gonzalez had in 2017? The Nationals left-hander posted one of the best seasons of his career and one of the most consistent in all of baseball last year. He finished the year 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA (the second-best of his career) and continued to prove his durability by amassing 201 innings in 32 starts. The thing about Gonzalez last year is that while he was not as flashy as Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg, he got the job done on a nightly basis....

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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Harper and Trout put on a show in L.A.

January 10, 2018, 7:53am

Nationals

As we continue our Throwback Thursday posts, we'll defer to Bob Carpenter and his handy-dandy scorebook for this week's memorable moment from last season. We rarely get to see two of the best players in baseball go head to head, with Bryce Harper playing in the National League East and Mike Trout in the American League West. But the stars aligned - so to speak - in 2017 as the former MVPs met in, where else, the City of Angels for a two-game set. And, boy, did they put on a show from the...

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Nationals to host 2018 Racing Presidents audition

January 09, 2018, 9:25am

Nationals

You love them. You recognize them around town. You have your favorite (George for this particular blogger). And you cheer for them during every fourth inning of a Nationals home game. And now, you can be one of them. That's right, the Nationals are hosting auditions for the 2018 Racing Presidents, meaning you can be the next George, Tom, Abe or Teddy! Those who wish to fill the running shoes of the Racing Presidents during this upcoming season will have a chance to "run for office" during...

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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Harper and Zimmerman slam Braves

December 28, 2017, 5:50am

Nationals

Happy 2018, Nationals fans! As the calendar flips to a new year, we're that much closer baseball returning. The countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting to West Palm Beach is winding down. For our first 2018 Throwback Thursday moment as part of our "Nationals Classics" airing on MASN, we're taking you back to a grand old time down in Atlanta from April 19, as Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman put on a show. Harper, who continued his torrid start to the season, homered in each of his first...

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Harper drops puck before Capitals face off against Golden Knights

December 23, 2017, 5:01pm

Nationals

Harper drops puck before Capitals face off against Golden Knights

Perhaps Nationals slugger Bryce Harper has learned a thing or two about being politically correct from his time in the nation's capital. Tonight, before the Capitals played the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas native Harper was at center ice to drop the ceremonial first puck between Caps star Alex Ovechkin and Golden Knights left wing James Neal. Pay particular attention to the ensemble Harper wore for his pregame duties: a Golden Knights jersey (he's a regular at T-Mobile arena for the home...

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Join "MASN All Access" live on Facebook from Winter Meetings

December 06, 2017, 9:32am

Nationals

Join "MASN All Access" live on Facebook from Winter Meetings

It's the most wonderful time of the baseball offseason! Before Nationals fans gather for Winterfest next weekend, all eyes will be set on baseball's Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. From Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14, fans will be on the edge of their seats to see which teams will make the big moves of the offseason, and MASN is excited to announce that we will be bringing you all the coverage you need throughout the...

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Zimmerman, Cubbage, Doolittle selected to inaugural class for Virginia Baseball Hall of Fame

December 07, 2017, 9:29am

Nationals

Zimmerman, Cubbage, Doolittle selected to inaugural class for Virginia Baseball Hall of Fame

The University of Virginia today announced the inaugural class of the Virginia Baseball Hall of Fame, and one of the names revealed is no surprise to Nationals fans. Ryan Zimmerman was one of the first three enshrinees announced, with the Cavaliers having some of their current players deliver the identity of the players, three at a time, on Twitter this morning and afternoon. Zimmerman played at Virginia from 2003 to 2005, and was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection as a...

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MASN bringing holiday spirit to Nats Winterfest

November 28, 2017, 8:13am

Nationals

MASN bringing holiday spirit to Nats Winterfest

It's that time of year again. A chill is in the air, everything is decorated in lights and garland, and Nationals fans are gearing up for their favorite event of the offseason! That's right, Nats Winterfest is back and approaching fast, meaning in just a few short weeks, Nationals fans from far and wide will gather at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for a weekend of baseball and holiday cheer. And we'll be there with plenty of chances for you to win exclusive MASN Nationals...

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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": A healthy filling of homers for Thanksgiving

November 20, 2017, 9:30am

Nationals

Happy Thanksgiving, NatsTown! I hope your Turkey Day is filled with family, friends, delicious food and drink, and football! But if your family is more of a baseball-first kind of group, then we've got a treat for you. Instead of watching the traditional slate of football games this afternoon, tune in to MASN for the first of not one, not two, but three(!) "Nationals Classics" from this past season we're airing this week as part of our Throwback Thursdays! Our holiday special is one of two...

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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Taylor's inside-the-park grand slam and Wieters' slam

November 14, 2017, 9:12am

Nationals

We're very thankful for "Nationals Classics" during this time of year. With no baseball being played and the holidays approaching, we've stacked not one, but two "Nationals Classics" from this past year into this week's Throwback Thursday. First up this week is one of the most exciting games we saw in 2017. After falling behind early to the Phillies on Sept. 8, the Nationals put together a furious comeback behind Michael A. Taylor, who had one the best games of his career. The highlight...

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Vote for MASN's Nats Winterfest T-shirt giveaway design!

November 14, 2017, 4:50am

Nationals

Oh, there's no place like Winterfest for the holidays! As the weather gets colder, we're already thinking about gathering around the MASN booth at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. We'll have tons of presents for you, including photo sessions with some of your favorite players and broadcasters, multiple chances to win autographed prizes and a new, exclusive prize you can take home! Just in time for the holidays, we're giving away ugly sweater-themed long-sleeve...

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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Kendrick's walk-off grand slam lifts Nats

November 08, 2017, 8:28am

Nationals

The Nationals were busy at the non-waiver trade deadline this season. Even with a double-digit lead in the National League East, general manager Mike Rizzo still needed to make moves to set the team up for the postseason. Obviously, the bullpen needed reinforcements, so Rizzo acquired Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson immediately after the All-Star break, and then also Brandon Kintzler right at the July 31 deadline. But while Nationals fans were clamoring for new relief arms, Rizzo made another...

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Who is your all-time favorite National?

November 06, 2017, 8:45am

Nationals

As part of his "10 questions for fans" series, my MASNsports.com colleague Steve Melewski recently asked his readers who is their all-time favorite Oriole, and I thought to myself, "Hey, this would also be a good question to pose to Nationals fans, too!" There is obviously a major historical difference in terms of longevity between the two franchises - the Orioles have called Baltimore home since 1954 and the Nationals have only called Washington, D.C., home since 2005 - but I think that...

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NLDS game blog: Nats can make D.C. sports history with Game 5 win

October 12, 2017, 3:38pm

Nationals

NLDS game blog: Nats can make D.C. sports history with Game 5 win

It's Game 5. There are no ifs, ands or buts. It's all hands on deck. Throw all your stat sheets and conventional wisdom out the window. It's your best versus mine. It's win or go home. Do or die. The Nationals and their loyal fan base are no strangers to this dire situation. We all know what's at stake, having now been here in three of Nationals' four playoff appearances. Win and advance to the first National League Championship Series in club history and the first league/conference final...

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Nats waste Scherzer's dominating performance in 2-1 loss

October 09, 2017, 5:57pm

Nationals

Nats waste Scherzer's dominating performance in 2-1 loss

CHICAGO - With the best-of-five National League Division Series tied at a game apiece, the Nationals headed to Wrigley Field to face JosÃ© Quintana, the Cubs' fourth starter. Their counterpunch? Cy Young candidate Max Scherzer. The Nationals ace was pushed back to start Game 3 of the series due to right hamstring tightness. Heading into the game, there were many question marks surrounding the right-hander, including whether he would be able to last deep into the game without succumbing to...

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Taylor defies elements with grand slam at Wrigley Field

October 11, 2017, 6:36pm

Nationals

Taylor defies elements with grand slam at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO - A game removed from taking the blame for not catching the Cubs' game-winning bloop hit, Michael A. Taylor stepped to the plate in the eighth inning Wednesday night with rain falling, wind blowing and the bases loaded. With the elements stifling fly balls at Wrigley Field, the only run of the game was the Nats' unearned run in the third inning. After Daniel Murphy's single off Jon Lester, who was pitching in relief, Cubs manager Joe Maddon opted to bring in Carl Edwards Jr., who...

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NLDS game blog: Strasburg back on the mound for makeup Game 4

October 11, 2017, 12:43pm

Nationals

NLDS game blog: Strasburg back on the mound for makeup Game 4

By Paul Mancano CHICAGO - The National League Divisional Series matchup between the Nationals and the Cubs has been nothing if not interesting. From the disappearing act of the Nationals offense to Ryan Zimmerman's home run in Game 2 that defied gravity to the Chicago weather changing at the drop of a hat, the series resembles an amateur magic act. Then, Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the magician pulling the strings picked up a few new tricks. Less than 24 hours after it was determined...

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NLDS game blog: Scherzer on the mound in Game 3

October 09, 2017, 11:45am

Nationals

NLDS game blog: Scherzer on the mound in Game 3

CHICAGO - It's not often that a team leaves its best starting pitcher for Game 3 of a postseason series, especially a best-of-five series. But the Nationals kept ace Max Scherzer off the mound for the first two games of the National League Division Series out of necessity. Scherzer tweaked his right hamstring in his final regular season start of the season, casting his playoff future in doubt. Nine games removed from that start against the Pirates, the 2016 National League Cy Young award...

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NLDS game blog: Gonzalez, Nats offense aim to even series in Game 2

October 07, 2017, 12:38pm

Nationals

NLDS game blog: Gonzalez, Nats offense aim to even series in Game 2

It's a new game on a new day. After the Nationals dropped Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday night, they will look to get even with the Cubs this afternoon on South Capitol Street. While technically not a must-win game, the Nats really can't afford to go to Chicago down 2-0. And so a lot of pressure falls on Gio Gonzalez, who takes the mound today for Game 2. Gonzalez had one of his best seasons with the Nationals this year, going 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA. Though there may be...