District Daily: 2/21

Nov 1, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams talks to the media during the press conference at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals had their first full-squad workout on Thursday, bringing us one step closer to opening day. New manager Matt Williams has been running a tight camp over the last several days and Thursday was no exception, with the first workout starting at exactly 10 a.m.. Thursday was also the first time the new skipper got to speak to the entire team, offering words of encouragement and motivation prior to the workout.

"“What is our DNA as team?” Williams asked the players. “We’ve got to establish that now.”(Adam Kilgore, Washington Post)"

Williams also had another inspirational quote pinned to the wall in the Nationals’ clubhouse:

In his first year managing a big league ball club, Williams seems to be stressing the idea of team-cohesion and chemistry, two things that generally translate into a great clubhouse atmosphere and, more importantly, a winning team.

Thursday’s workout was the first step in what will be a very important spring training for the Nationals. While the Nationals’ opening day roster is mostly set, questions still remain for several important positions, questions that the team must answer over the next six weeks. Opening day is still over a month away, but game action returns a week from today when the Nationals face the Mets to open their Grapefruit League schedule.

Until then, checkout the sights and sounds from the first full-squad workout for your 2014 Washington Nationals:

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