The 2010 Washington Nationals Dream Foundation's NatsTown Green-Up

"I think we are now on people's minds," believes Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, Chair of The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. "I can’t say yet that we have sustained some organizations that in the past couple of years, might not have made it due to the financial climate, but we’ve tried to be out there and be available to those organizations. Yet, there is still so much more to be done."




Mrs. Tanenbaum was standing on the grounds of The Henson Center. The headquarters for the Earth Conservation Corp. The non-profit youth development and environmental service organization dedicated to restoring the Anacostia River and the surrounding community. The very neighborhood in which Our Washington Nationals play their home games at Nationals Park. The 2nd Washington Nationals Dream Foundation NatsTown Green-Up was in full swing. For the second year in a row, the charitable arm of Washington's Major League Baseball Team sponsored a clean-up of the SE/SW community near the South Capitol Street Ballpark.




In 2009, the focus of the first NatsTown Green-Up was the Anacostia River. 2010 centered on the neighborhood grounds. The ECC's Henson Center, Diamond Teague Park & Marina, the Heliport, 1st & Q Streets and 1st & 3rd Streets (both in SW) were the targeted areas. Over 150 volunteers (nearly twice as many as last year) showed up for the Friday, July 30th event's 8:45AM start. Front Office and Guest Service Staff from Our Washington Nationals were joined by Alion Science & Technology Staff, a handful of Nationals Fans, as well as, Federal and Military employees.

"This is so great for us because we are so centered on the ballpark sometimes," continued Marla Tanenbuam, "that it’s just great to come out in the neighborhood. In fact, I love this neighborhood. It’s a little jewel in Washington."







The 150 or so volunteers were formed into five groups and assigned Green-Up work in the five designated locations. For three hours, trash and debris was collected and pulled from the various sites. At the conclusion, Waste Management picked up all the filled to the brim black trash bags and disposed of them properly. At the Henson Center, grass was mowed, trees trimmed and mulched while overgrown bushes were cut back. An effort that has brought a fresh focus to a once blighted and forgotten area of The Nation's Capital.

"What The Nationals have done is increase the awareness of the ECC and this community," stated Annette Gantt, CEO & President of The Earth Conservation Corp. "By partnering with us, they have helped the ECC bring in more corporate sponsorships. They have helped to improve this community and they have assisted us greatly here at The Henson Center in getting the word out about our programs. They are terrific partners."





During The 2nd Washington Nationals Dream Foundation NatsTown Green-Up, Nationals Pitchers Doug Slaten and Collin Balester joined many of the volunteers, helping out in mulching trees at The Henson Center and providing their assistance--which also included plenty of photo ops.

"First of all, this is just a nice thing to do (for the area surrounding the ballpark) and the visibility of having players like us out here might bring a little bit more attention to the work that is going on," stated Slaten. "It’s for the benefit of others. it’s a good deed. And it's really important. There are always a lot of people that do stuff behind the scenes that don’t get any recognition. Many like that are out here today. Growing up by the beach in California, I am part of the Surf Rider Foundation and they do similar type of stuff out there."

Interestingly, fellow Californian Balester is a supporter of Players For The Planet. A nationwide organization that encourages kids and their families to save the earth by being more environmentally friendly in their daily lives.





After all the picking up of trash, hauling of debris, cutting of grass, mulching of trees and pruning that could be accomplished in the just over three hours allotted this past Friday morning--all participants were invited back to Nationals Park for a lunch provided by Hard Times Cafe. Sitting in the picnic area on the main concourse behind Section 142, Our Manager Jim Riggleman stopped by to personally thank everyone for their volunteer service. All volunteers also receiving a special NatsTown Green-Up Tee Shirt, Red Curly "W" Sport Bottle, and two tickets to the Sunday August 1st game versus The Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park for their contributions to the day's efforts.

But as Mrs. Tanenbaum stated earlier, the community involvement is far from done.







"The awareness builds up every year, concluded Marla Lerner Tanenbaum. "We are getting more inquiries, more people stop at the kiosk. That sort of thing is building up. I feel like we (The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation) build up with the team. As the team goes, so do we in some respects. And in other respects it takes a while for people to know you are here to stay. This Foundation is not a flash in the pan. I think we are on the minds of a lot of non-profits now. And when the Baseball Academy opens, hopefully next year, and the Diabetes Complex opens, we will resonate within the community to a much greater extent."

"And that's when they start truly believing in you."




P.S. Sunday, August 1st was Washington Nationals Dream Foundation Day at Nationals Park. Part of the day's proceedings included an On-The-Field recognition of Green-Up Volunteers. After a short video was shown on the HDTV Scoreboard, those volunteers wishing to participate gathered near home plate and were announced to the crowd before the start of the game.

All Photos Copyrighted--Nats320--All Rights Reserved

Passion

Officially, it was Major League baseball between two teams from Philadelphia & Washington on a Saturday evening in the Nation's Capital. Unofficially, it may well have been the beginning of one terrific rivalry. Since baseball returned to Washington, D.C. in 2005, no team playing Our Washington Nationals has created quite the stir in D.C. like The Philadelphia Phillies. Each and every time these two teams meet, a battle ensues.

The play on the field as passionate as the attacks and assaults that frequently occur in the stands. These two teams don't seem to like each other. And everyone knows, neither do their fans. Last night was no different. For nine full innings, the energy created by these diverse forces, combining together, resulted in a fireworks show worthy of America's annual July 4th Birthday Celebration. But what Washington's fans in the announced sellout crowd of 38,049 might never forget was witnessing the emergence of a tidal change. For far too long, The Phillies have beaten up on Our Washington Nationals and Our Fans too. Philadelphia's most always been the better team and the lead aggressor.

That wasn't the case on Friday night at Nationals Park and that certainly wasn't the situation on Saturday evening as well.

D.C.'s team put on a display of enthusiastic baseball last night. There was a fervor in their play backed by a spirited force in the stands. A never say die attitude that continued throughout the night. No one rooting for Washington was backing down to Philadelphia either. The resulting atmosphere, maybe, the most inspiring ever seen at Nationals Park. If you weren't moved by last night's extravaganza, you may never be, especially after the concluding moments.

With Our Washington Nationals down by one, 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th inning, Ryan Zimmerman stepped to the plate with one out. Michael Morse stood on 2nd base, Adam Kennedy at 1st. The capacity crowd standing as well. Everyone understanding, the climatic moment was at hand. As the Z-Man stepped into the batters box to face Brad Lidge, the noise level at Nationals Park rose exponentially. Phillies Fans attempting to shout out "Let's Go Phillies!!", while Nationals Fans tried to drown them out with their own cheers and shouts of encouragement. That ballpark was going wild!!

But that was nothing compared to what everyone was to witness.

During his stint on the mound in this game changing bottom of the 9th, Philly's Closer was having trouble with his slider. Brad Lidge had walked Kennedy after allowing a lead off single from Morse. For the past two years, Lidge has not trusted his fastball. He can't throw it at the 100 mph velocity he once enjoyed during his younger years. Now 33 years old, Brad's heater is significantly slower and Ryan Zimmerman knew that.

Zimmy also understood, he only had to be patient. That is, if he could keep his head. You see, Brad Lidge's third pitch of this At-Bat was a 91 MPH Fastball thrown so high and inside--it JUST MISSED Ryan Zimmerman's face. A near hurtful blow resulting in Our Number 11 visibly sighing in relief and nearly instigating a riot in the stands. Boos and catcalls from D.C.'s Fans, cheers of joy from Philadelphia's. That pitch was extremely close and so was the outcome of this game. What no knew at the time was just one more pitch was to be thrown as Zimmerman collected himself.

Having not fooled the Z-Man yet and with the capacity crowd still on their feet roaring, Brad Lidge looked in for the sign from his catcher Carlos Ruiz. He didn't believe in his slider anymore. He didn't trust his fastball either. But having few choices, Lidge threw it anyway. And Ryan Zimmerman was waiting. There is this special crack to the bat sound when any baseball is hit well. A "WHACK" that can audibly be heard. A telling sound that a stroked baseball has been smoked. As Brad Lidge let go of his 92MPH heater, Zimmy slowly cocked his left leg in anticipation, realized the pitch was right down the middle of the plate and drilled the ball to deep center field.

That "Crack" of the bat said all. So did the bellow of the crowd. Momentarily, Ryan Zimmerman stood at home plate to admire his work. He then looked over to Washington's Dugout and flipped his bat. Yeah, he "pimped it". He knew this game was over. So did our fans. Nationals Park exploded and it had little to do with the Bang!! Zoom!! Of The Fireworks!! Washington's Fans were rejoicing. Philly's Fans were not. We could just imagine hearing play-by-play broadcaster Charlie Slowes screaming on the radio: "The Z-Man Has Done It Again!! A walkoff three run homer in the bottom of the 9th inning to defeat The Philadelphia Phillies 7-5!! Unbelievable!!"

And it was, just like this entire evening on South Capitol Street. Our Washington Nationals had battled back from a late deficit to defeat The Philadelphia Phillies. Philly's large contingent of fans had not take over our ballpark. And both The Phillies Team and their rowdy fan base had to leave Nationals Park with a new found respect for D.C. Baseball because no one backed down to them. No one gave in. And Ryan Zimmerman smashed out the game winning homer in the bottom of the 9th that may well have started a new and heated rivalry.

And that is what this game is all about.

Passion.

Final Score from Nationals Park where the atmosphere was as good as it's ever been: Our Washington Nationals 7 and The Philadelphia Phillies 5. Curly "W" Number 46 of 2010 was an extraordinary affair. A nip and tuck battle only concluded in miraculous fashion as Ryan Zimmerman banged out his 7th game winning home run in the bottom of the 9th inning of his still young career. The Bang!! Zoom!! Of The Fireworks!! signaling the beginning of something special. Remember, Phillie Fans hate The New York Mets (just like Willie Harris). The Mets Fans hate The Phillies.

On July 31st, 2010, Philadelphia's Fans were given someone else to dislike--Our Washington Nationals. Rivalries are built as history is recorded following close passionate games over a long period of time. That's where alliances are formed and that's where the frenzy of the fan base is ignited. This latest clash between these two N.L. East teams sure to be an instigator of further things to come. Two Major League Baseball Team cities, 135 miles apart, playing a game that will soon not be forgotten. The type of compassionate affair that is remembered, talked about, and carried on for years. A game that brings fans back clamoring for more.

That's how rivalries are constructed. Can you imagine what any game between Philadelphia & Washington would be like when both teams are contending for The National League Pennant? That will be must see baseball, just like what 38,049 experienced last night at Nationals Park.

Really, an unbelievable experience.

Game Notes & Highlights

Ross Detwiler did OK in his start last night. He lasted into the 6th inning and gave up just one run. But he walked three and was followed by a bullpen without Matt Capps that showed some signs of fatigue. Joel Peralta & Tyler Clippard both allowing home runs. Drew Storen the go ahead run for Philadelphia in the top of the 9th. Ryan Zimmerman saved Peralta. He saved Clippard. He saved Drew Storen and in the bottom of the 9th inning, Ryan Zimmerman saved Our Washington Nationals with a walk off home run from certain defeat. That's why this game is special. Washington was on the cusp of losing in their very park before a divided crowd and managed to pull it out.

There was also a standing ovation when Adam Dunn stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 1st to bat for Our Washington Nationals. Fans and his Washington teammates in unison over not seeing The Big Texan traded by Our General Manager by the July 31st trading deadline yesterday. Needed in the middle of Our Manager Jim Riggleman's lineup to protect Zimmerman and give Josh Willingham comfort--Washington has the best 3-4-5 hitters in The National League. Time to find out whether D.C.'s team can build a winner around them.




But they need to find more talent, which was put on display last evening when Yuniesky Maya was officially signed and introduced at the ballpark as the newest member of Our Washington Nationals. The biggest international free agent signing in D.C.'s short history back in the game, the Cuban Defector and topped ranked starting pitcher will be toeing the rubber at Nationals Park by the time the month of August moves to September. Maya was introduced to the media at 5:45PM and Washington's Fans between innings of the game last night. He also received a standing ovation.

There could be fewer players in baseball that can raise their game to the elite level like Ryan Zimmerman. Not only was last night his 7th game winning, bottom of the 9th home run, but also his 12th game winning walk off hit. There is no one quite like The Z-Man, and here's hoping Our Washington Nationals can build that winning team around him so he will play his entire career in The Nation's Capital. No doubt keeping Dunn, will go a long way toward keeping him happy.

Last night was Nyjer Morgan Bobblehead Night. It's a nice giveaway. But why give out the figure on a weekend night when everyone knows the ballpark is going to be filled with thousands of Phillie Fans? What's the use in sending the items up I-95? If the promotion is to attract Nationals Fans, last night's Bobblehead Giveaway lost the point of it all. It really did. And we weren't the only fans talking about this issue at Nationals Park last evening.

Speaking of Nyjer, he was the guest of honor at the Saturday Inside Pitch Live Session at The PNC Diamond Club. MASN's Rob Dibble hosted the Q & A with fans before last night's game against The Phillies.

The African Queen and I also had the opportunity to catch up with "Schneiderman" after the game. A player that fondly recalls his time calling Washington, D.C.--his home as an original member of Our Washington Nationals. Sohna and I spoke for some time with Brian Schneider after last night's game. Schneider told us that he and his wife, Jordan (a big Nats320 Fan), are expecting their 3rd child soon. Schneider seemed very relaxed and is hoping Philadelphia will provide him with the one goal he's yet to reach in his Major League Baseball Career--claim a World Series Championship and get a ring.
And finally, we hadn't seen them all season. Darlene & Dave from Manassas were at last night's game. Our Spring Training Buddies over the past two years in Viera, Florida. Dave has been ill and hasn't been able to get out to the ballpark. They both came yesterday. Sohna and I can't tell you how pleased we were to see them at Nationals Park. Hopefully, we shall see them many more times again over the next two months.

Last Night's In-Game Photos, Nick Wass (AP)
All Other Photos Copyrighted--Nats320--All Rights Reserved