A fun-filled day ahead

It might still be January and spring training still might be nearly three weeks away, but for today, at least, Nationals baseball will be in full swing. In just a little bit, I'll be taking off for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown D.C. to take part in NatsFest, which runs from noon-4 p.m. Season ticket holders can arrive even earlier for special events that begin at 11 a.m. At least 22 players will be in attendance today, as well as general manager Mike Rizzo and other team staffers. It'll be an afternoon filled with plenty of Nats talk and lots of fun events. I'll have tons of notes to pass along today, so be sure to check back throughout the afternoon for blog after blog filled with quotes from your favorite players. In addition, be sure to swing by the MASN booth for giveaways, trivia contests and photo sessions with Drew Storen, Denard Span and MASN broadcasters Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo. And if you happen to spot me, feel free to shout out my name or come introduce yourself. I look forward to meeting as many fans as possible today, and for those of you who comment on the blog, it's always cool to put a face to the online profile. Also this afternoon, the Nationals will be introducing fans to the new addition to their lineup of Racing Presidents. The team has announced that they have "come to terms" with William Howard Taft to become the fifth Racing President. That agreement, the team joked (I hope), is pending a physical. Teddy Roosevelt is no longer the lovable loser in the bunch after breaking into the win column at the end of last season. Will that role be taken over by Taft, known as "The Big Chief," or will our nation's 27th president not let his robust build slow him down on the track? Regardless, you should get a chance to see all the Racing Presidents at NatsFest today. And really, what's better than spending a nice Saturday afternoon with mute, eight-foot Commanders in Chief?