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Mike Rizzo was on the Sports Junkies again, talking about how long players would need to get ramped back up once/if Spring Training 2.0 begins. Daniel Hudson was on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio. The rings are coming, but that decision is causing a little bit of a thing on the internet (and apparently among some Nationals). Catch up on the latest news right now. Go read your links...
NATS BEAT:
Given state of things, virtual ring ceremony makes sense - (MASN)
"The Nationals had made it known they would not raise their championship banner or hand out World Series rings in an empty ballpark. No fans? No formal celebration of the franchise’s first title."
Nats GM Mike Rizzo: Nationals would need 'three weeks or so' to be fully ready for games - (NBC Sports Washington)
"'We think in three weeks or so, give or take, they could be in full swing for any type of real competition when the season starts,' he said."
The Nationals will host the first-ever virtual ring ceremony on Sunday. But many in the organization, including some players, won’t have their rings.
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) May 21, 2020
What’s the rush? Inside a confusing ceremony: https://t.co/fqKL97HHUQ
Dream Bracket 2: '12, '19 Nationals to compete - (MLB.com)
"You’ve watched the Nationals play every year since 2005. But what if you could step into a baseball time machine and see how those teams would fare against some of the all-time best clubs in history?"
In transition to television, Porter had great appreciation for Nats' title run - (MASN)
"Porter managed the Astros from 2013-2014 and had been a coach with the Nats, Braves, Marlins and Diamondbacks at various times between 2007 and 2016."
How the Nationals entered 19-31 into D.C. sports lore - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The numbers '19-31' and the date May 24 are both famous in Nationals lore after the 2019 season which ended in a World Series win."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Keith Law: Redrafting MLB’s 2010 class – (The Athletic)
"1. Andrelton Simmons - Team: Washington Nationals Player selected in 2010: Bryce Harper
Simmons’ actual selection: Second round, No. 70 overall (Braves) - Career WAR: 36.3"
One Good Thing: Neighborhood creates the ultimate sandlot with help of former Washington Nationals player - (Click2Houston)
"A Mississippi community has transformed its cul-de-sac into the ultimate sandlot, and a World Series champion is showing the young players some moves."
Daniel Hudson: "I still have issues with my slider [since Tommy John]."
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) May 20, 2020
Also Daniel Hudson: [wins World Series with a slider]@Nationals | #Nationals | #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/fwDtbE5Xrd
NL EAST UPDATES:
These Phillies-Sixers crossover uniforms are straight fire, even Bryce Harper approves - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"It’s safe to say the image was well received, as Bryce Harper shared the work to his personal Instagram page with the comment, 'Nasty!!'"
Mets' Steven Matz not worried about Syndergaard-less rotation - (New York Daily News)
"As it stands, the Mets rotation consists of Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz and Michael Wacha."
Be Marlins' manager for a day? Here's how - (MLB.com)
"For a good cause, Marlins manager Don Mattingly has agreed to share his managerial seat with a fan at Marlins Park."
For baseball’s minor leagues, 2020 seems a major washout - (AJC.com)
"The Braves have six minor-league affiliates, two based in Georgia – Triple-A Gwinnett and Low-A Rome. Six times 25 gives us 150 players, nearly all of whom are in the developmental stages of their baseball lives."