Wire Taps: Washington Nationals news, links, tweets, Ryan Zimmerman gives to hospital + Howie Kendrick talks...

We’re doing everything we can (okay, maybe not EVERYTHING) to keep the content flowing while the country and sports world remain closed down, so while there aren’t enough links out there to do this post every day, we’re still trying to keep you informed on all things Nats, so in that spirit, here are the latest Nationals links from the last 24-48 hours.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals mailbag: Baby Shark Scherzer, and possible playing restrictions - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Another edition of the Nationals mailbag is up and running."

Nats prospect watch: Cody Wilson has the tools to deliver on field - (MASN)
"I asked Nationals minor league hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich for a couple of names of guys that maybe were not getting as much publicity as others but were impressing him during 2019 and into this most recent (abbreviated) spring training."

Nationals’ Strengths No. 5: Sean Doolittle’s serenity - (NBC Sports Washington)
"For Sean Doolittle, the secret to pitching in big moments game after game comes down to one thing: staying calm."

Which pre-2019 Nats team should have won the World Series? - (MASN)
"I’ve had this debate with some folks a few times over the years, and plenty more times in my own head. Of the four pre-2019 Nationals teams that made the playoffs, which one was the biggest disappointment?"

John Patterson’s new book details his mental health struggles - (WaPost)
"Patterson detailed his personal struggles with depression, anxiety and addiction and offers a road map to recovery in his new book, 'Perspective, Perception, Perseverance: How to Understand and Navigate Life’s Challenges.'"

Nats Prospect Watch: At 18, De La Rosa ahead of competition - (MASN)
"De La Rosa spent 2019 with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals for 26 games, hitting .232 with a double, two triples, two homers, three stolen bases and 10 RBIs."

Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman Donates $100,000 to Virginia Hospital – (NBC4 Washington)
"Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman, along with his wife Heather, surprised health care workers at Inova in Virginia with a $100,000 donation."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Matthew Drake Redesigns MLB - AL West & NL East Edition - (Uni Watch)
"The Cooperstown Collection is a fauxback to the racing stripe, pinwheel cap Expos. The Nationals are also the only team to utilize a white uniform for Spring Training, which features the interlocking 'DC' logo."

The Team of the 2010s: RHP Stephen Strasburg - (Mayflies & Big Flies)
"By the time he arrived back on City Island rehabbing another injury in June 2015, the overall first pick in the 2009 draft had failed to deliver on the promise he once showed."

Revisiting Stephen Strasburg’s MLB Debut - (FanGraphs)
"A decade, a Tommy John surgery, and a World Series ring later, Strasburg — like every other major leaguer — sits at home right now, waiting for the season to start."

Nats' Ryan Zimmerman's AP diary: Fundraising for virus help - (AP)
"We wanted to start a fund to give athletes in the D.C. area a way to come together, raise money and pump it directly right back into the community, to the hospitals and to the health-care workers in the D.C.-Virginia-Maryland area."

50 MLB Players Teaming Up To Provide Over 4 Million Meals For Children - (Forbes)
"Through all that has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing that has been consistent is the charitable giving of those who have the means."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Sources: Phillies owners commit to pay employees through May - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Phillies employees, in a letter from managing partner John Middleton, were informed on Friday that there would be no change to any full-time worker's employment status through the month of May. No layoffs. No pay cuts."

Where ‘the great’ Shea Stadium ranks among dead MLB ballparks - (NY Post)
"Those of us of a certain age hold at best mixed memories of Shea Stadium, the Mets’ second home, where they’ve won both of their World Series titles."

Samson: Pudge Rodríguez was “not a popular player” on 2003 Marlins - (Fish Stripes)
"Simply put, 'Pudge was treated differently' by the Marlins than fellow players who had less impressive résumés. Samson provides this example that allegedly created a 'major problem' in the clubhouse..."

Ranking the top 5 building blocks in the National League - (AJC.com)
"You could argue the Braves have two of the best five positional player building blocks in the NL."