“We’re going to the World Series this year.” – Principal Owner Mark Lerner said during a “State of the Nationals” forum for season ticket holders at NatsFest.
The Washington Nationals held NatsFest on Saturday, January 26 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. By all accounts, it sounded like a big success with more than 7,000 fans (per @NationalsPR).
Fans got a chance to see new Nationals Denard Span and Dan Haren as well as several other Nats players and prospects, including Corey Brown, Tyler Clippard, Ian Desmond, Ross Detwiler, Danny Espinosa, Christian Garcia, Gio Gonzalez, Brian Goodwin, Bryce Harper, Nathan Karns, Steve Lombardozzi, Ryan Mattheus, Tyler Moore, Ryan Perry, Anthony Rendon, Will Rhymes, Matt Skole, Drew Storen, Kurt Suzuki, Chad Tracy, Jayson Werth and Jordan Zimmermann.
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and Mark Lerner, one of the team’s Principal Owners, as well as team broadcasters Bob Carpenter, F.P. Santangelo, Charlie Slowes and Phil Wood were also in attendance.
Thanks to the more than 7,000 #Nats fans who came out for #NatsFest today. We can’t wait for #OpeningDay! twitter.com/Nationals/stat…
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 27, 2013
A few quick highlights we received from fans and media.
1. The Nationals unveiled the new fifth racing president – William Howard Taft aka “Bill.” Taft was the first president to throw out a baseball before a game. #27 already has his own Twitter account.
It was lovely meeting all the fans and my only real competition – George, Tom & Abe – at #NatsFest today. — William Howard Taft (@NatsBigChief27) January 26, 2013
2. Danny Espinosa will play with torn left rotator cuff (non-throwing arm).
3. Danny Espinosa’s Beard. Apparently, Espi hasn’t shaved since October 1 (the day the Nats clinched NL East) and it is extremely bushy. It was the talk of NatsFest among both fans and players. Other players had grown their hair out too. It seems as though Ryan Mattheus felt a little left out…
Guess I shouldn’t have shaved all off season! #hugebeards #duckmen? — Ryan Mattheus (@RyanMattheus) January 26, 2013
2013 NatsFest, 1/26/2013: Fans on the radio were missing out on Danny Espinosa’s bushy beard (Photo by Lisa Milisa)
The topic of Danny and Jayson’s beards even reached Seattle! Someone send Michael Morse a photo and he tweeted from Mariners fanfest.
Huge beards !!!!! Who are those guys !!! — Michael Morse (@SEA_Beast38) January 26, 2013
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Several of the players tweeted and/or posted Instagram photos during NatsFest and thanked fans.
Crowd surfing at nats fest #2013 packed house ,love you nats fans you guys were awesome twitter.com/GioGonzalez47/… — Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) January 26, 2013
Had a great time at Nats Fest. Love all excitement for the upcoming year. All the support was amazing. Thanks for coming out!
I seriously have the best fans in the world! DC is full of polite and great people! They get it! #thankful #DC #Nats — Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) January 26, 2013
Had a great time at Nats Fest. Love all excitement for the upcoming year. All the support was amazing. Thanks for coming out!
— Drew Storen (@DrewStoren) January 26, 2013
Natsfest was a lot of fun. We had a great turn out, just made me want the season to get here even faster. — Ian Desmond (@IanDesmond20) January 26, 2013
I had a lot of fun today at Nats fest! Felt good to put the uniform on for the first time and meet all the Nats fans. I Appreciate the love! — Denard Span (@thisisdspan) January 26, 2013
Grateful to all the Nats fans that came out today. Awesome to see so many fans in DC. Can’t wait for season — Ross Detwiler (@NationalDet) January 26, 2013
Amazing turn out at #NatsFest! Nats fans you are amazing. Thank you all for coming out. Had a blast!!!! #nats #natitude #cantwaittilapril1st — Ryan Mattheus (@RyanMattheus) January 26, 2013
Just got back to Tampa, had a great time at #NatsFest unbelievable turnout thanks for all the love. Hopefully be back in April!
— Christian Garcia (@CJGarcia56) January 28, 2013
D.C. Bound #Nats #DCNation #FanFest13 — Brian Goodwin (@ML_Bg0oD) January 25, 2013
@ml_bg0od @mattskole16 and Rendon at #NatsFest #DoubleDays twitter.com/NathanKarns/st… — Nathan Karns (@NathanKarns) January 27, 2013
Michael Morse may no longer be a National, but he took the time to check in from Mariners FanFest in Seattle on the same day.
Sounds like all my friends and Nat fans are having a great time today in DC #FanFest13
— Michael Morse (@SEA_Beast38) January 26, 2013
THANKS TO FANS WHO SUBMITTED PHOTOS!
2013 NatsFest, 1/26/2013: 2013 Washington Nationals on stage (Photo by Lisa Milisa)
2013 NatsFest, 1/26/2013: Posing for photos with pitchers Dan Haren and Gio Gonzalez (Photo by Lisa Milisa)
2013 NatsFest, 1/26/2013: Tyler Moore signing autographs (Photo by Lisa Milisa)
2013 NatsFest, 1/26/2013: Nationals introduced the 5th racing President – #27 William “Bill” Taft (Photo by Lisa Milisa)
2013 NatsFest, 1/26/2013: Pitcher Tyler Clippard signing autographs (Photo by Lisa Milisa)
2013 NatsFest, 1/26/2013: Pitcher Jordan Zimmermann signing autographs (Photo by Lisa Milisa)
2013 NatsFest, 1/26/2013: Posing for photos with pitchers Ross Detwiler and Tyler Clippard (Photo by Lisa Milisa)
