Saturday will be a special day for the Washington Nationals and their fans.
Everything is ready for the franchise to retire its first number; one that is associated with success, passion, and loyalty.
“On October 3, 2021 – after 16 seasons, 1,799 games and a World Series Championship – Ryan Zimmerman played his final MLB game. Tomorrow, we honor Mr. National with the first Nats number retirement in Washington Nationals history,” the Nats’ official account tweeted.
On October 3, 2021 – after 16 seasons, 1,799 games and a World Series Championship – Ryan Zimmerman played his final MLB game.
Tomorrow, we honor Mr. National with the first Nats number retirement in Washington Nationals history.
👑 // https://t.co/bXj6uJNH8p pic.twitter.com/JQku5iuX4Q
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 17, 2022
After being drafted by the new Washington Nationals (the new home of the Montreal Expos) with their first-round pick in 2005, Zimmerman went on to become a staple in the infield for years to come.
Zimmerman, now 37 years old, is known as “Mr. National” because he only played for them from the moment he made his MLB debut in 2005 to his retirement last year.
In 1,799 games and 7,402 plate appearances, he hit 284 home runs and batted .277/.341/.475.
He also has 1,061 RBI.
His 39.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) are a really solid output that makes him one of the very best players in franchise history.
A Career Full Of Achievements
Zim was the first draft pick of a blossoming franchise: he had to endure some tough years, and he peaked with the 2019 World Series championship.
That was one of Zimmerman’s biggest achievements.
He also won some individual accolades, too: he is a two-time All-Star selection (2009, 2017), a World Series champion (2019), a Gold Glove Award winner (2009), and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2009, 2010).
He retired with two 30-homer seasons and seven 20-homer seasons.
He was always classy, and fans loved him from the minute he put on a Nationals uniform.
Zimmerman will now receive the highest organizational honor a player can get: seeing his number 11 retired.
It will be an emotional day for him.
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