Washington Nationals Countdown To Spring Training: 3 Days

The off-season is almost over. Less than three weeks until Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers report to Viera. To celebrate this fact, we here at DistrictOnDeck will commence a countdown of sorts pointing out interesting facts about numbers.

18 Days
17 Days
16 Days
15 Days
14 Days
13 Days
12 Days
11 Days
10 Days
9 Days
8 Days
7 Days
6 Days
5 Days
4 Days

First base is always known as an offensive position and with this franchise is no exception. Of the 25 players who played at least 50 per cent of their games at the position and qualified for the batting title, only two had a season that was below league average, Cliff Floyd and Andres Galarraga. Both of those players would end up as pretty good players regardless. In fact, the best season by a first baseman by OPS+ was by Galarraga and Al Oliver with an OPS+ of 150. Oliver was first, in his first year with the Montreal Expos in 1982 where he ended up as the league batting champion. Galarraga’s best season with Montreal came in 1988. He hit .302/.352/.540 and despite a league-leading 150 strikeouts, had one of the best seasons from the first base spot in Expos history.

March 08, 2012; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (3) at bat during the spring training game against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Of the top 10, six were actually since the team moved to Washington. Nick Johnson in 2005 and 2006, Dmitri Young in 2007, Adam Dunn in 2010, Mike Morse in 2011 and Adam LaRoche last season. The other two in the top 10 with the Expos were David Segui in 1997 and Warren Cromartie in 1981.

The best performance from a hitter in the three spot in terms of total bases was by Andre Dawson in 1985. He went 4/6 with 3 HR and 8 RBI. In second is a three-way tie, including the best performance from a National. Johnson had a 4/4 game with a double, two home runs and three RBI on April 20, 2006. He tied the mark first set by Rondell White on June 16, 2000 (4/5, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI) and Vladimir Guerrero on July 18, 2001 (4/4, 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI).

Also notable, is the fact that yesterday mentioning Rodney Scott, Mike Lansing and Jose Vidro: They all wrote the number three.

Notable players to wear 3 with the Expos/Nationals: Bob Bailey, Scott, Lansing, Vidro, Jesus Flores, Wilson Ramos