May 19, 2013

CAPS: Happy Birthday, Jason Chimera

May 2, 2013 by

HAPPY 34th BIRTHDAY JASON CHIMERA!

The Washington Capitals forward was born on 05/02/1979 in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Happy 34th Birthday to #25.

Jason Chimera - Washington Capitals practice at Kettler, 3/28/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Jason Chimera – Washington Capitals practice at Kettler, 3/28/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Caps Jason Chimera throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Nats Park, May 20 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Caps Jason Chimera throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Nats Park, May 20, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

 

 

 

Jason Chimera taking a break between groups – Caps Club Kids (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)

Jason Chimera during warmups at Verizon Center (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Jason Chimera -Practice April 27, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

 

Filed Under: Beyond the Game Tagged With: , ,

CAPS: Brooks Laich and the Washington Capitals Make Local Teen’s Wish Come True

May 1, 2013 by
During the Capitals Fan Appreciation Night Jersey Off Our Backs ceremony, Capitals forward Brooks Laich presents Emily, 17, with his jersey. Through the Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, Emily was able to meet Laich. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

During the Capitals Fan Appreciation Night Jersey Off Our Backs ceremony, Capitals forward Brooks Laich presents Emily, 17, with his jersey. Through the Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, Emily was able to meet Laich. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich and Keymar Md., native Emily watch the Capitals versus Bruins game at Verizon Center on April 27. The Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic partnered to make Emily’s wish to attend a Capitals game and meet Laich come true. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich and Keymar Md., native Emily watch the Capitals versus Bruins game at Verizon Center on April 27. The Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic partnered to make Emily’s wish to attend a Capitals game and meet Laich come true. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

 

Brooks Laich and the Capitals Make Local Teen’s Wish Come True

When the Washington Capitals began warm-ups during their final game of the regular season, a special voice helped to introduce them.

Emily, a 17-year-old Keymar, Md., native, joined public address announcer Wes Johnson in welcoming the team to the ice.

Emily was at her first Capitals game through the Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic’s commitment to make Emily’s wish to meet Capitals forward Brooks Laich come true.

Emily suffers from Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract.

Due to complications, Emily has had most of her colon removed and has had additional coronary, venous and arterial infections and clots.

“Hockey is my favorite sport and I really enjoy it,” said Emily. “Everyone in my family likes it so I figured it’d be a good thing for us to all do.”

The evening included several surprises for Emily and her family.

After riding the Olympia ice resurfacer during the first intermission and watching the game with her family from Ovi’s Crazy 8s section, Emily was invited to the press box where she met Laich. The two then watched the third period of the game together, along with Emily’s father.

“Emily was awesome,” said Laich following the experience. “A huge hockey fan – a very bright, intelligent girl. It was an honor for me to meet her.”

After the game Laich presented Emily with his jersey during the team’s Jerseys Off Our Backs ceremony, part of Fan Appreciation Night. Emily’s whole family then met with Nicklas Backstrom, Jason Chimera, Mike Green, Braden Holtby, Laich and Mike Ribeiro.

Founded in 1983, the mission of Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Foundation serves children who reside in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia and has granted the wishes of more than 7,600 local children fighting life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchene’s muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease.

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CAPS: Washington Capitals Fans Prepare to Rock the Red

April 29, 2013 by
Capitals fans at warmups (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Capitals fans at warmups (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

The first playoff home game is this Thursday, May 3 when the Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers at 7:30 p.m. However, fans will be “Rocking the Red” all week. Check out all of the festivities listed in the team’s press release below.

Caps Fans Prepare to Rock the Red in the Playoffs Powered by Constellation Energy
Beard-A-Thon, Viewing Parties, Contests and More to Kick off Postseason

ARLINGTON, Va. – During the 2013 Stanley Cup quarterfinal round between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, Capitals fans are invited to participate in several activities to kick off the postseason.

Game 1 will be played Thursday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Verizon Center and available locally on Comcast SportsNet HD. All Capitals playoff games will also be broadcast on CBS Radio (WJFK 106.7 The Fan) and Hubbard Radio (WFED 1500) as well as on WashingtonCaps.com and on Caps Mobile apps.

Playoff activities include:

Beard-A-Thon
The Washington Capitals, alongside Constellation Energy and media partners 106.7 The Fan and Comcast SportsNet, encourage fans to participate in one of hockey’s most visible traditions – the playoff beard. Beard-A-Thon participants can invite family members, friends and business associates to pledge money for their playoff beard. Confirmed beard-growers include Capitals players Karl Alzner, Troy Brouwer, Mike Green, Matt Hendricks, Braden Holtby, Steve Oleksy, Mike Ribeiro and Aaron Volpatti. Also participating are Caps public address announcer Wes Johnson, 106.7 The Fan’s John “Cakes” Auville, Eric Bickel, Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier. Money will be donated to Fuel Fund of Maryland for every day that a fan maintains his beard.

Fans who do not wish to or are unable to grow a playoff beard can participate by pledging a donation to their favorite Caps player, fan or media personality. For more information or to enroll in the Capitals’ Beard-A-Thon, log onto http://beardathon.com/capitals. The fan that raises the most money will win a Caps VIP Game Experience, which includes two tickets to a game during the 2013-14 season, a meet and greet with Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis and an autographed jersey from the player of their choice. All donations for the Capitals’ Beard-A-Thon are tax deductible.

Official Caps Viewing Parties at Hard Times Café
Fans are invited to attend the Official Caps Viewing Parties for each of the road games during round one. Game 3 will be held at Hard Times Café Clarendon, Game 4 at Hard Times Café Manassas and if necessary Game 6 will be held at the Hard Times Café Fairfax location. Fans will have a chance to win premium Caps giveaways at official viewing parties.

School Playoff Pep Rallies
The Washington Capitals will host pep rallies at local schools during each round of the playoffs while school is in session. Principals, teachers and students are encouraged to get their schools involved by emailing or tweeting photos of their schools rocking the red to show their Caps spirit. The Capitals will select a winning school each round to receive a pep rally featuring five stations to get the students excited to Rock the Red during the playoffs. Each student will have the opportunity to make signs to support the Caps in the playoffs, play in a street hockey scrimmage, take a photo with Caps mascot Slapshot, shoot slapshots on the Slapshot inflatable and take part in a hockey equipment demonstration. All participants will leave the Pep Rally with a Caps playoff T-shirt. Entries must be received at @CapsCR on Twitter or CapsPepRally@washcaps.com from teachers and school administers by 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, to participate.

“How Are You Rocking the Red” Contest
If “Rocking the Red” is what you do best, now is your opportunity to enter the “How Are You Rocking the Red” contest. The Caps mascot Slapshot is encouraging fans to submit photos to his Facebook page showing their decorated house, office work space, cars, kids, pets and even themselves. Just log onto Facebook.com/CapsSlapshot and share your image with Slapshot.

Watch and Listen
Games 1, 3, 4 and 5 will be televised exclusively on Comcast SportsNet in the Washington/Baltimore region, while Game 2 will air nationally on NBC. Games 1, 3 and 4 will also be televised to a national audience outside of the Washington/Baltimore region by NBC Sports Network. Television information for Games 6 and 7 will be announced at a later time along with the U.S. national television information for Game 5.

Comcast SportsNet will produce Capitals Postgame Live following every Caps playoff game through all rounds, regardless of the network carrying the game. Comcast will also present Capitals Central before every first-round game that is scheduled on Comcast SportsNet.

Stay Connected
MonumentalNetwork.com is your playoff information hub. Get the latest news and video from team practices, pregame show, interviews, live postgame news conferences, expert analysis and that latest viewing parting locations, contests and more.

SERIES C TIME (ET) #3 Washington vs. #6 NY Rangers Networks
Thursday, May 2 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington CSN, NBC Sports Network, TSN
Saturday, May 4 12:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington NBC, TSN
Monday, May 6 7:30 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers CSN, NBC Sports Network, TSN
Wednesday, May 8 7:30 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers CSN, NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Friday, May 10 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington CSN, TSN
*Sunday, May 12 TBD Washington at NY Rangers TBD
*Monday, May 13 TBD NY Rangers at Washington TBD

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Washington Capitals Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Schedule

April 29, 2013 by

The first playoff home game is this Thursday, May 2 when the Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers at 7:30 p.m. 

GAME 1 – HOME – Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. on NBCSN, CSN and TSN
GAME 2 – HOME – Saturday, May 4 at 12:30 p.m. on NBC and TSN
GAME 3 – AWAY – Monday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. on NBCSN, CSN and TSN
GAME 4 – AWAY – Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. on NBCSN, CSN and TSN
GAME 5* – HOME – Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. on CSN and TSN
GAME 6* – AWAY – Sunday, May 12 TBD
GAME 7* – HOME – Monday, May 13 TBD

*Games played if necessary

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , ,

NATS: Happy Birthday, Danny Espinosa

April 25, 2013 by

HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY DANNY ESPINOSA!

Washington Nationals switch-hitting second baseman was born on 04/25/1987 in Santa Ana, California.

Happy birthday, #8.

Danny Espinosa during his MLB Network interview - Philadelphia Phillies v. Washington Nationals, October 1, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Danny Espinosa during his MLB Network interview after Nats clinched – Philadelphia Phillies v. Washington Nationals, October 1, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Danny Espinosa turning a double play (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Danny Espinosa turning a double play (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Washington Nationals 2B Danny Espinosa scores on Bryce Harper's triple in 3rd inning, May 20, 2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Washington Nationals 2B Danny Espinosa scores on Bryce Harper’s triple in 3rd inning, May 20, 2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

 

 

Filed Under: Beyond the Game Tagged With: , ,

NATS: Vote Washington Nationals for 2013 All-Stars

April 24, 2013 by

The 2013 MLB All-Star Game will be held at CitiField in New York City on July 16, 2013.

2013 All-Star Game Logo

Fans can cast their votes up to 25 times at MLB.com until Thursday, July 4 at 11:59 p.m. ET to make Nationals like Bryce Harper, Denard Span, Ryan Zimmerman, Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond, Adam LaRoche, Wilson Ramos and Jayson Werth All-Star starters.

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CAPS: Current and Former Capitals Signing Autographs

April 24, 2013 by

AUTOGRAPH OPPORTUNITY FOR CAPS FANS!

Several current and former Washington Capitals will be heading out to the Dulles, Virginia on Friday, April 26, 2013 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Autograph tickets are available for purchase. See information below for amount per autograph. Now is your chance to get that something special signed by your favorite Caps.

Braden Holtby - ($65)
Troy Brouwer - ($40)
Jack Hillen – ($20)
Wojek Wolski - ($20)
Aaron Volpatti - ($20)
John Erskine - ($30)

CAPS ALUMNI: (Autographs are FREE with Purchase-see site)

Bryan Watson
Ken Sabourin
Paul Mulvey
Al Hangsleben

See link for more information.

Where: 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Suite #162, Dulles, VA 20166

Jack Hillen - Captials practice at Kettler, September 14, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Jack Hillen – Captials practice at Kettler, September 14, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Cheryl Nichols is a Columnist and Photographer for District Sports Page. She is credentialed to cover the Washington Capitals and has reported on the community service and fan events for Nats News Network and Caps News Network since 2006. Cheryl is an accomplished action photographer and has been published in The Washington Post and many other local media. She was a credentialed photographer for the 2010 season covering the Washington Nationals. You can follow her on Twitter @cnichols14.

Filed Under: Beyond the Game Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Washington Nationals Walk-Up Music 2013

April 24, 2013 by

**List updated 05/02/2013**

It is about time that we posted the list of music used by the Washington Nationals players so far this season! In case you missed you last season’s songs, you can check out the 2012 walk-up music here.

Adam LaRoche - Chicago White Sox v. Washington Nationals, 4/9/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Adam LaRoche – Chicago White Sox v. Washington Nationals, 4/9/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Fans love walk-up music. It is always a popular topic on Twitter, Facebook and discussion boards. Some players select music that gets them fired up, suits them perfectly or even pokes fun of themselves (i.e. Matt Stairs two years using Toby Keith’s “As Good As I Once Was“). It can be a small window into the player’s personality. Ryan Mattheus has told fans that he won’t use another song until he finds one that “fires him up” like “Firework” (he has used since the minor leagues).

There are superstitious players that change their music when they are slumping at the plate. And some have a handful of songs that are used in rotation.

Some players stick with the same song season after season and even years after leaving the Nationals or baseball all together, fans immediately think of that player every time they hear the song (i.e. Chad Cordero and Metallica’s “King Nothing“).

Former National Michael Morse (now with the Seattle Mariners), had the team’s most eclectic taste in his walk-up music, thanks in part to his brother helping select songs. His most popular song was “Take on Me” by A-ha, which has now become the “fans’ Natitude anthem” and is currently being used as the Nats 7th inning stretch song. The music is usually cut off before it gets to the high part of the chorus, so the fans finish it off! It started in 2010, but finally caught on and fans voices are even heard on TV. Join in next time you’re at the park.

All of the following songs have been confirmed through various sources including programs like Shazam, Soundhound, as well as players tweets, interviews, etc. All of the songs have been used at one point throughout the 2013 season. We’ve included links to videos, however, remember that there is only a few seconds of the song used during the walk-up so it may sound different at the beginning at first. There is a lot of Natitude on the list!

Please help us keep list up to date and post additional songs that we may have missed in the comments.  Thank you! Enjoy!

POSITION PLAYERS:

Roger Bernadina – My Time (feat. Jeremih) by Fabulous

Ian Desmond – One Sixteen by Trip Lee (feat. KB & Andy Mineo)

Danny Espinosa – Battle Scars by Lupe Fiasco & Guy Sebastian
Danny Espinosa – Walk by Pantera
Danny Espinosa – Turn the Page by Bob Seger

Bryce Harper – Flower by Moby
Bryce Harper – Coming Home by Diddy (feat. Skylar Grey)
Bryce Harper – It’s Tricky by Run D.M.C.

Adam LaRoche – My Kinda Party by Jason Aldean
Adam LaRoche – In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins
Adam LaRoche – Copperhead Road by Steve Earle

Steve Lombardozzi – Cinderella Man by Eminem [Clean Version]

Tyler Moore – Take A Little Ride by Jason Aldean
Tyler Moore – Muckalee Creek Water by Luke Bryan

Wilson Ramos – Ponme to Eso Palante by El Chuape
Wilson Ramos – Wepa by Gloria Estefan

Anthony Rendon – Still D.R.E. by Dr. Dre (feat. Snoop Dogg)

Wil Rhymes – Walk by Pantera

Jhonatan Solano – Pata Boom by Rafy & R La Fama

Denard Span – Bugatti by Ace Hood [Clean Version]
Denard Span – We Still In This Bitch by B.o.B. (feat. T.I. and Juicy J) [Clean Version]
Denard Span – Believe It by Meek Mill (feat. Rick Ross) [Clean Version]
Denard Span – Shoutout by Birdman (feat. French Montana and Gudda Gudda) [Need Clean Version]

Kurt Suzuki – Small Axe by Bob Marley
Kurt Suzuki – Jammin‘ by Bob Marley
Kurt Suzuki – Lively Up Yourself by Bob Marley & The Wailers

Chad Tracy – Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker

Jayson Werth – Burn It Down by Linkin Park
Jayson Werth – Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon
Jayson Werth – Warehouse by Dave Matthews Band
Jayson Werth – Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin
Jayson Werth – The Walking Dead Theme Song
Jayson Werth – Game of Thrones Theme Song

Ryan Zimmerman – Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
Ryan Zimmerman – So Good by B.o.B
Ryan Zimmerman – Whatever You Like by T.I.
Ryan Zimmerman – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) by Fall Out Boy

PITCHERS:

Tyler Clippard – Ready or Not by The Fugees

Ross Detwiler – Wherever I May Roam by Metallica (pitching)

Zach Duke – 2 x 4 by Metallica
Zach Duke – When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin

Gio Gonzalez – Standing Ovation by Young Jeezy (batting)

Dan Haren – Dirty Harry by Gorillaz (pitching warm up)
Dan Haren – Big Poppa by Notorious B.I.G. (batting)

Ryan Mattheus – Firework by Katy Perry

Henry Rodriguez – Energía by Alexis & Fido

Craig Stammen – Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Drew Storen – Bad Company by Five Finger Death Punch

Stephen Strasburg – Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes

Jordan Zimmermann – Son’s Gonna Rise by Citizen Cope

 

Cheryl Nichols is a Columnist and Photographer for District Sports Page. She is credentialed to cover the Washington Capitals and has reported on the community service and fan events for Nats News Network and Caps News Network since 2006. Cheryl is an accomplished action photographer and has been published in The Washington Post and many other local media. She was a credentialed photographer for the 2010 season covering the Washington Nationals. You can follow her on Twitter @cnichols14.

Filed Under: Nats/MLB Tagged With: , , , ,

Potomac Nationals Players Earn Carolina League Weekly Awards

April 24, 2013 by

Potomac Nationals LogoP-NATS SS JASON MARTINSON WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE CAROLINA LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD & RHP TAYLOR HILL EARNS CL PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS Potomac’s Jason Martinson and Taylor Hill Sweep Carolina League Weekly Awards

Woodbridge, VA—After a tremendous start to the 2013 campaign, Potomac Nationals shortstop Jason Martinson (5th Rd.,2010), a product of Texas State University, from Dallas, TX, has earned his second consecutive Carolina League’s Player of the Week Award for his production from April 15th through April 21st, the league announced today.

Martinson, the #14 prospect in the Washington Nationals Minor League system per Baseball America, entered the 4/15 week with a .303 (10-for-33) batting average, a .429 on base percentage, a .788 slugging percentage through nine games, with four home runs and 11 runs batted in.

Martinson continued his prowess at the plate into the next week by turning in a 10-for-28 performance with the bat, good for a .357 batting average in the week, while achieving an on-base percentage mark of .419, and a slugging percentage clip of .500.

The 24-year-old also cranked one double and one four-bagger, while collecting four RBIs, four runs scored, and three walks during his latest weekly tear.

The 6’1″, 190 pound Nationals prospect enters tonight’s contest with the Carolina Mudcats (Cleveland Indians) in Zebulon, NC tied for the Carolina League lead with 15 RBIs, a .635 slugging percentage, and 40 total bases. The offensive assassin is also tied for the circuit lead in home runs (5) and is 10th in the CL in batting (.317).

Sealing the sweep for Potomac in the league’s weekly awards, RHP Taylor Hill, after an absolute gem spun against the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles) in Game One of the doubleheader last Saturday on April 20th, was announced today as the winner of the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Award.

Hill, the 24-year-old whom Baseball America says has the “Best Control” in the Washington Nationals farm system, was selected in the 6th round in 2011 out of Vanderbilt University.

Hill, a native of Old Hickory, TN, is (3-0) on the season after a terrific pair of starts on April 15th at Salem and on April 20th vs. Frederick as he went (2-0) over the course of the week with victories over the Red Sox and Keys. He combined to pitch to a 0.69 earned run average over 13.0 innings in the two outings in which he surrendered just five total base hits, one earned run, zero home run balls, no hit batters, and one walk, while striking out eleven batters.

The only pitcher on the P-Nats staff with three victories, Hill dominated the Keys in his third start of the season tossing a one-hitter over seven shutout innings, and earning the complete game win.

The Nationals have now garnered three of the four Carolina League weekly awards in 2013.

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NATS/CHIEFS: Syracuse Chiefs Introduce New Birthday Perk for Fans

April 23, 2013 by

Syracuse Chiefs Press Release Header

SYRACUSE CHIEFS INTRODUCE NEW BIRTHDAY PERK FOR FANS
Chiefs are one of 22 teams to form partnership with HULEDET

Syracuse, NY–The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are pleased to announce that they will be partnering with HULEDET in order to give local fans a free ticket and hot dog for their birthday. HULEDET (http://www.HULEDET.com), a one-year old company based in New York City, partners with local and national companies to enable them to reward their loyal customers on their birthdays, and to bring in new customers with the incentive of a birthday perk.

As fans enter Chiefs home games this season, they will be given the opportunity to register to receive the birthday gift by simply providing their name, email address, birth month and day, and zip code. When the first day of their birthday month comes, they’ll receive an email from HULEDET giving them a free ticket and free hot dog voucher to use during their birthday month.

Fans with birthdays during the off season need not worry – they’ll get their gift from the team on their half birthday.

“We are very excited to work with HULEDET on this new promotion,” Chiefs general manager John Simone said. We look forward to offering a birthday present to each of our fans.”

The Chiefs are one of 22 minor league baseball teams who will be working with HULEDET during the 2013 season. Says HULEDET founder Michael Frankel, “We have seen great success with HULEDET at local restaurants and businesses, and we are excited to work with the Chiefs as we bring HULEDET gifts to sports fans around the country this spring.”

Fans may also join the Syracuse Chiefs birthday list online at http://www.HULEDET.com/SyracuseChiefs.

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