Nationals Opinions: Top 5 Nationals 2015 Promotions
Oct 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; A general view during the National Anthem before game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: David Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
In 2005, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, and baseball fans alike came together at RFK stadium for the inaugural season of the Washington Nationals. Now, ten years later, with our new stadium and Natitude, we all have a team to be proud of. The team will have a ton of expectations to live up to on the field, as well hope a World Series appearance is in the future, but the team has some off the field expectations to live up to too. Over the last few years, via gnomes and racing president bobblheads, Nats fans have come to expect new and exciting promotions. This will be no different this year. So, the Nationals are taking this season to commemorate the first ten years of this great franchise with a grand series of promotions throughout the season. While they currently have no postgame concert series, the team is redirecting all of those funds to give us even more super awesome free stuff. And what’s better than free stuff?
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Unfortunately, going to every single one of these games is unrealistic for most. So, we thought we would go ahead and list the top five can’t miss promotions for this coming commemorative, ten-year anniversary season. Let’s start with number five on our countdown:
Next: Number Five
Sep 23, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Tanner Roark(57) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
5. 10 Year Anniversary Promotions (All of them)
Ok, this one I am cheating slightly with, but the Nationals are rolling out a series of single game promotions to specifically honor the 10 years of the club. All of which should be great pieces to add into any Nationals collections.
It starts with a Commemorative Collectors Tin on Opening Day, April 6th (first 25,000). What can you do this with tin? I’m sure some great things. It probably come in handy most for keeping all of the other great 10 year promotion items.
Next, is a (hopefully) stylish stationery set for us all to journal our wonderful experiences at Nationals Park. If you don’t like to journal, then you can carry this around, and maybe people with think you are the intellectual type. Either way, this is a pretty neat giveaway that you can get on April 21 (first 10,000).
The following will be a Bottle Stopper that honors the ten years of this franchise. If your wine bottles were feeling left out of the Natitude action, they won’t be anymore! You can get this on May 5 (first 10,000).
The next big ticket item is a ten year coin. You may think that coin collecting is a forgotten thing, but the Nationals want you to know that it is still cool. It will also look great in the nifty tin you got. You can get this one on June 2 (first 10,000).
The last must get item is a Lapel-Pin to honor the anniversary. This is my personal favorite because I want to show my curly W on all occasions. With this, even in my sleakest suit, everyone can know where my true fandom lies. If you want to do the same go on July 7 (first 10,000).
There will be a few other ten year promotions, but these are the items that any collection needs the most.
Next: Number Four
Jul 20, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Stormtroopers pose at home plate prior to the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs during Star Wars day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
4. Star Wars Day
For the first time in Nationals history, the club is putting together a night of epic proportions to honor the always great, Star Wars. While this isn’t the first time a team has done something like this, it will certainly be welcomed with open arms at Nats Park.
Jayson Werth comes to the stadium looking like Chewbacca every day, but on this night, there will be no limits. You can be sure you will see a plethora of Star Wars themed costumes at the stadium. The Nationals players have already started filming clips with light sabers in anticipation of this grand day.
One can only hope that someone goes up to the plate with an actual light saber. They can take the phrase “obliterated the baseball” to a whole new level. This Star Wars Day comes just in time for the new Star Wars movie “The Force Awakens, ” which comes out in 2015.
If a good old fashioned baseball game doesn’t get you excited for intergalactic war, I don’t know what will. The famous them music will be blearing through the loud speakers as the lineups are announced, and you can be sure the Nationals will include a few other surprises as well. Go out and get your costumes ready for July 19th because this is a can’t miss event.
Next: Number Three
3. Jordan Zimmerman No-Hitter Bobblehead
We have reached the final three. And it starts with the always sought after bobble-head. This year The Nationals are also doing a “Great Moments in Nationals History” collection of bobbleheads to honor the past. These items will include figurines of Jayson Werth’s Game 4 home run, Stephen Strausburg’s debut game, Ryan Zimmerman‘s Nationals Park Walk-Off, and of Livan Hernandez starting the inaugural game.
While all of those were spectacular, Jordan Zimmermann’s historic performance on the last day of the regular season last year will stand out as the the crowning jewel within this promotion. This features the image of the moment Zimmermann realized he had gotten the no-no against the Miami Marlins in Nats Park. Steven Souza’s catch will always be remembered as a part of the team’s history. This will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest moments in Nationals history.
This bobble head will ensure that even after your memory is long gone, you never forget it. The Nationals will be giving it out on the one-year anniversary of the game and will hopefully feature Jordan Zimmermann’s last start of the year before the playoffs. You can get this one on September 25 (first 25,000 people in attendance).
Next: Number Two
2. Anthony Rendon Garden Gnome
Last year, the Nationals did their first ever Garden Gnome featuring Jayson Werth, and the district went nuts. The gnomes were going on EBay for well over $50 and it was the must have item of this year. This year, the Nationals are rolling out a similar Gnome featuring Mr. Anthony Rendon.
Besides the fact that “Rendon Gnome” sounds awesome, this little guy is sure to be just as popular. He will have a rocking beard, and will scare away any pest in your garden. If you don’t have a garden, you can keep him inside and make him your new best friend because there may never be anything cooler than a Rendon Gnome. I would expect that this game will have lines to get in and go for similar prices on EBay. The Nationals may have started a tradition with this gnome thing, and Anthony Rendon is the perfect candidate to keep it rolling. I am thinking of maybe a Tanner Roark one for next here.
We can only hope that the gnome will lead to even more success from the coolest National around. Maybe even an MVP year. Last year the Nats had a lucky cat doll, but maybe the gnome can be a token good luck item for them this year. In any case, you can get this mini Rendon on August 25 (first 25,000).
Next: Number One
Sep 27, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth (28) leads off first base against the Miami Marlins during the first at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
1. Jayson Werth Chia Pet
You have probably heard about it already, but the Nationals have ensured themselves a sellout on that day. The team has partnered with Chia Pet to put together a clay pot thingy that will resemble Jayson Werth and grow out his beard with plant stuff. It may be the coolest promotion in the big leagues this year. Maybe even of all-time.
The Chia Pet had a Twitter account just 11 minutes after it was announced and may already be more famous than the gnome. I have already bought my tickets to go get one of them and it will be on my windowsill everyday, from then on, until the day I die. Regardless of Werth’s off the field issues this offseason, Nationals fans will continue to adore him and make him our idol.
There is now a second piece to honor the great diety that is Jayson Werth and his wonderful beard. It is the clear choice for best Nationals promotion of 2015 Nats Fans you can get this fantastic specimen on August 5 (first 20,000).
For all the other awesome promotion giveaways and event information, you can go to the Nationals’ promotional schedule to find out whatever you need to know.