Catching up with Flores
Jesus Flores can't make it to this week's caravan, but he has been pretty busy this offseason. The catcher spent the winter working out and rehabbing his shoulder in Miami. He expects to resume baseball activities next month and come back healthy, strong and ready for a productive 2010 season.
Flores has been plagued by unfortunate injuries in recent seasons. His first big setback occurred in September of '08 following a dangerous collision with Chase Utley. Though his ankle was ready...
A whole host of Nationals news coming in this afternoon...
First, the caravan kicks off tomorrow with Danny Espinosa, Drew Storen, Ryan Speier, Jim Riggleman and our very own Rob Dibble.
Throughout the day, the group will visit the Southwest Health Center in DC, Hard Times Cafe in Arlington and Build a Bear in Tyson's Corner. Check Nats Buzz all week for updates, interviews, pictures, etc. I'll do my best to keep you updated on Twitter (@khudak11), but also make sure to follow...
Today's first stop on the 2010 Winter Caravan brought Ryan Speier, Danny Espinosa, Drew Storen, Jim Riggleman and Rob Dibble into Unity Health Care's Southwest Health Center, just a few blocks from Nationals Park.
The facility serves all D.C. residents, regardless of their ability to pay for medical care.
In December, nearly forty Nationals front office employees helped to refurbish and repaint the health center as part of a project with Rebuilding Together.
The Southwest Health Center...
On Wednesday evening, the Nationals caravan moved to Build-a-Bear at Tyson's Corner Center. They greeted fans, signed autographs and made their very own bears. Drew Storen was pretty pumped about his Batman owl.
Manager Jim Riggleman was new to the process, but Rob Dibble showed him the ropes, step by step.
To bring the bears to life, the guys had to warm up the hearts, spin around three times, make a wish and even do push ups!
Here are some photos of the finished products, with more...
On Thursday, the caravan began the day at historic Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington D.C. Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzo joined the crew for a quick lunch.
"It's a pretty cool historic place," said Danny Espinosa, making his first visit to the famed eatery. "We had a good time."
Espinosa was impressed by the many photographs of celebrity visitors including President Obama.
After ordering a variety of items, the players mingled with the guests, handed out autographed cards and took...
On Thursday afternoon, the caravan traveled to Fort Belvoir in Virginia for a very special afternoon service project with USO. Together with servicemen and women and local volunteers, the Nationals made care packages for soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Haiti.
To date, the organization has shipped over 1.8 million care packages to troops. The care packages include shampoo, shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes and other basic necessities.
Ryan Speier, Danny Espinosa, Drew Storen, Rob Dibble...
After battling D.C.'s second big snowstorm of the winter, the Nationals caravan arrived in Prince George's County for a special presentation with local officials. The team announced a new partnership with the county to support the growth of baseball through a variety of community programs.
Specifically, the partnership invites children to attend a youth baseball clinic at Nationals Park during the 2010 season and promises to send Nationals players to one or more youth clinics in Prince...
And that's a wrap.
What a week for Nats fans. From Woodbridge to Bethesda to Arlington to Landover, the Nationals covered most of the D.C. metro area with visits, community service stops and autograph signings to remind us that baseball is just around the corner.
On Sunday, the fun came to a close with the ever popular NatsFest celebration at Nationals Park.
Drawing thousands of fans out of their homes on a cold Sunday afternoon, NatsFest was a major success in its second year....
You may recognize this one from the game at MASN's booth at NatsFest, but here's another chance to figure it out. Good luck this week!
Updated:
Nice work everyone! I tried to hide the correct answers until now so that most of you could guess without being swayed by others. Many of you were correct! It is the green roof over Boardwalk Fries and Noah's Pretzels in the LF corner.
Nationals Park is the nation's first major professional stadium to become LEED Silver Certified by the U.S....
Game Preview
LA Angels (68-44) at Orioles (47-67)
With the Orioles struggling and the Angels surging, this may not be the best time for the Orioles to challenge the two-time defending AL West champs.
But, ready or not, the clubs begin a four-game series tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Camden Yards.
Pitching Probables for the LAA Series:
Fri, 7:05p - Chris Tillman (0-0, 5.19) v. Jered Weaver (12-3, 3.73)
Sat, 7:05p - Brian Matusz (1-1, 7.04) v. John Lackey (5-5, 3.88)
Sun 1:35p - Jeremy Guthrie...
Chris Ray has not had too many good days during this 2009 season. When he looks at the stat sheet he sees an ERA of 7.16.
But there have been better days lately. Ray has not allowed an earned run over his last seven games, covering 8 1/3 innings.
"I feel good," the 27-year-old right hander said. "It's a lot easier to pitch when your arm doesn't hurt. I'm on a pretty good roll right now and hope I can keep it up. I've been more consistent lately."
Ray did not pitch in the Majors...