Team UP Touch Base June Newsletter

The Team UP Touch Base newsletter is for all of you – the players and families playing baseball or softball in one of the Washington Nationals Team UP leagues. Each month we will share an interesting baseball story or two, spotlight a Nationals player, highlight a few Team UP players, offer some tips and give our readers a chance to win prizes.

As youth baseball and softball seasons are underway we encourage you to do your best, listen to your coaches, and have fun. Baseball is a great team sport and playing the game with your friends and helping your teammates can make your time on the baseball field happy and memorable.

The Nationals are proud to support your play, and we cannot wait to visit your league and see pictures of you and your teammates wearing your Nationals-provided uniforms! We look forward to providing Team UP families with other fun opportunities like a free ticket to a Nationals game and possibly even a player visiting your league.

Please sign up at nationals.com/TeamUPStayInTouch if you would like to receive the Team UP Touch Base newsletter or other Team UP information directly from the Nationals. Finally, please let us know what you want to read in Team UP Touch Base by sending an email to Sade Means at [email protected].

Player Spotlight

This month, we are recognizing Mamie Johnson Little Leaguer Thomas Thorne Jr., a player on the Reggie Jackson Nationals AAA baseball team.

A few months ago, Thomas' father passed away. Through the hard times, Thomas has stayed committed to his team showing up for practice and being a team leader. He works hard and is a symbol of excellence. Thomas is a great example of Natitude, and the Nationals are very proud of him.

Mamie Johnson Little League

Mamie Johnson has been serving predominantly black players since 2015. The non-profit organization provides a safe, entertaining, and competitive environment for young players. Mamie Johnson Little League made history in 2018 by becoming the first predominately African-American team to win the Washington D.C. Little League Championship in more than 30 years. They were the first team east of the Anacostia River to represent D.C. in the Little League Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament. The league continues to grow and is serving more than 200 youngsters this spring season.

Mr. National

More than 400 players have played for the Washington Nationals. Only one is the face of the franchise – Ryan Zimmerman. Also known as Mr. National, Ryan, a Virginia native, was the Washington Nationals’ first ever draft pick in 2005. He made his debut in the majors later that year at the young age of 20. Now, 17 years later, Ryan Zimmerman will have his number retired in a pregame ceremony on June 18.

Ryan Zimmerman

16 Years with the Nationals (2005-2021)

2005

June 7: Chosen by the Nationals as the No. 4 overall pick.
September 2: Major League debut and first hit

2006

April 5: First Major League home run hit in the ninth inning, tied the game against the Mets.
June 18: Against the New York Yankees, hit his first walk-off home run.
Season: Hit .287 with 47 doubles, three triples, 20 home runs, 110 RBI and 11 stolen bases finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

2007

August 4: First career multi-homer game, hitting a solo shot in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth, which led to a 12–1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

2008

March 30: In the first regular-season game at Nationals Park, hit a solo shot, walk-off home run beating the Atlanta Braves, 3-2.

2009

July 5: Selected to his first All-Star Game.
Season: Won the Gold Glove Award as the best defensive third baseman in the National League and a Silver Slugger Award as the best offensive third baseman in the league.

2010

Season: Posted career highs in batting average (.307), on base percentage (.388) and on base plus slugging percentage (.899).

2011

Season: Was limited to 101 games played because of injuries but did have a 19 game hitting streak from July 22-August 11.

2012

Season: Had a sore right shoulder most of the season, but hit 25 home runs and 95 runs batted in in 145 games to help the Nationals win the National League East and make the playoffs for the first time in team history.

2013

April 12: Became the first National to play in 1,000 career games.

2014

Season: Limited to just 61 games because of injuries.

2015

September 2: Hit two home runs in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The second was his 200th career home run.
Season: First full season as a first baseman after previously being the Nationals third baseman.

2016

May 15: Hit his first career inside-the-park home run.
July 30: Turned the first triple play in Nationals history.

2017

Season: Hit a career-high 36 home runs, was named a National League All-Star starter, and the National League Comeback Player of the Year.

2018

August 22: Against the Philadelphia Phillies, hit his 11th career walk-off home run.

2019

July 5: Recorded his 1,000th career RBI.
Season: Appeared in only 52 games because of injury.
Playoffs: Hit safely in 10 of the Nationals 16 Postseason games. Homered in Game 1 of the World Series which was the first World Series home run in Nationals History

2020

Season: Did not play

2021 Season

October 3: Played in his last Major League game.

Washington Nationals Records:

First in hits (1,846), doubles (360), home runs (234), runs batted in (1,061), total bases (3,159)
Second in games played (1,689), walks (630), runs scored (936)
Ryan’s 11 walk-off homeruns are the most in team history and the second most in National League history

Negro League History – Effa Manley

Last month, we highlighted Sam Lucy, who broke barriers in sports and baseball as a black sports journalist in Washington D.C. This month, we showcase Effa Manley, who was the first black woman to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (2006).

Born in 1897 in Philadelphia, Effa Manley was an American baseball executive who co-owned the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League alongside her husband, Abe Manley. Under Manley's ownership, the Newark Eagles won the 1946 Negro World Series.

She used her position of power to fight for the rights of black people and was involved in civic causes that helped the black community. For example, when Harlem stores refused to hire Black people, she organized a boycott. After six weeks, store owners agreed to hire Black workers. Manley also served as treasurer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Undeniably, Effa Manley helped change the face of baseball during the golden age of the Negro Leagues. As a result, Effa was the first – and thus far, only – woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Newark Eagles

Notable Alumni: Ray Dandridge, Leon Day, Larry Doby, Monte Irvin, "Biz" Mackey, "Mule" Suttles and Willie Wells.

The Newark Eagles debuted in the Negro National League in 1936 after co-owners Effa and Abel Manley combined the Brooklyn Eagles and Newark Dodgers into one team. Operating out of Ruppert Stadium in Newark, N.J., the Eagles were a consistently competitive team, finishing above .500 all but three times in their 14-year history.

After years of battling for a championship, the Eagles won the Negro League World Series in 1946 defeating the Kansas City Monarchs. The Monarchs dominated the Negro American League that year with 43 wins and only 14 losses. They had Negro League legends Buck O'Neil and Satchel Paige. The Eagles had their own dynamic duo - middle-infielders and future Hall of Famers, Larry Doby and Monte Irvin. After six hard-fought games, the Eagles won 3-2 in Game 7 after Paige, the expected Monarchs starting pitcher, failed to show up.

MLB Play Ball Weekend

You are invited to the Washington Nationals Play Ball and Summer Reading Event on June 11th.

The Washington Nationals will host the MLB annual Play Ball Weekend at Walker Mill Regional Park on Saturday, June 11, collaborating with the Prince George's County Library and Prince George's County Parks and Recreation. There will be several baseball and softball activities and a book reading with a Nationals player at this event. There is no need for prior baseball/softball experience or equipment. Simply dress comfortably in athletic clothing, bring your water bottle, and come prepared to have a good time. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., with the event starting at 10:00 a.m.

All participants will receive a free bat and ball set, and baseball-themed book. Register today clicking the 'More Information' button below:

See you soon!

** Please note: Kids under the age of 5 can still attend this event. However, you will NOT be able to participate in the Youth Baseball and Softball Activity.

Summer Reading Sundays Are Here!

Join Nationals Summer Reading Ambassadors Sean Doolittle and Josh Bell for learning-filled events before select Sunday home games this summer at Nationals Park. Events are free for fans with game tickets.

Sean or Josh will participate in a read-along, in addition to reading and literacy focused programming from Nationals education partners, including Arlington Public Library, DC Public Library, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution and the National Children’s Museum. For more information on this event and other Washington Nationals Summer Reading initiatives, click here.

Equipment Drive

The Washington Nationals are partnering with Leveling the Playing Field to host the team's annual baseball equipment drive on Saturday, June 19, at Nationals Park. Leveling the Playing Field provides equipment to under-resourced youth sports and recreation programs to increase access and equity. Fans are encouraged to donate new sports bras and new or gently used equipment, including baseballs, softballs, bats, batting gloves, catcher's equipment, youth batting helmets, bases, baseball pants, and cleats outside of the Center Field Gate from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The first 100 people to donate equipment will receive two tickets to the Saturday, July 2, 4:05 p.m. game against the Miami Marlins

Nationals Calendar

The Nationals reserve the right to change any and all 2022 access, benefits, promotions, seating locations and events (including, without limitation, location, dates and times) without notice based upon: 1) federal, city, state and/or local government orders, mandates or restrictions; 2) the guidance or recommendations of a recognized health agency (i.e. Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization); 3) the ongoing developments of the COVID-19 pandemic; and 4) any other reason as determined by the Nationals and/or Major League Baseball in their sole discretions.

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