Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman’s ride to history
By Ron Juckett
Washington Nationals slugger Ryan Zimmerman continues to climb franchise leaderboards. As he writes the record books, he gives himself and the team their own history.
Ryan Zimmerman joined greats such as Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron Monday when he became the Washington Nationals franchise leader in home runs. Only 30 players can hold the distinction and he is in that club.
As a new generation for fans appreciate Zimmerman as a player during his comeback year, it is easy to forget the Nats decided for him to be the first true Washington Nationals player. Drafted out of the University of Virginia fourth-overall in 2005, Jim Bowden gambled Zimmerman could be the face of the franchise.
They got that one right.
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As flashier players such as Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer grabbed center stage every night, the one constant is Zimmerman. From the bad teams gracing RFK Stadium to the super offensive show on display nightly at Nationals Park, he is the bridge.
Injuries robbed him of his prime years. Zimmerman’s last season playing over 140 games was 2013. Then, he was still at third. Years of 20 home runs and close to 100 RBI were common for a while.
Healthy most of last season, his batting average dropped to .218. Sure, Zimmerman clobbered over 20 homers, but the whispers of him riding off into a cold good night were there. When the team signed Adam Lind this offseason, some wondered if Zimmerman was being replaced.
Nope. He is not going anywhere. Aside from the comeback and most valuable player arguments, Zimmerman is climbing the ladder on many franchise ranks.
His next double breaks a tie with Tim Wallach for the franchise lead at 360. In nine games, Zimmerman passes Gary Carter in games played at 1504. If healthy through 2019, he can break Wallach’s record of 1767. Before mid-August he will overtake Tim Raines on the hit list and seems certain by early next year to take Wallach’s 1694 career hits as an Expo away.
The list goes on and on. Total Bases and RBI records will fall this year, again held by Wallach. Zimmerman holds the strikeout record already, shh. By a healthy margin, he already holds the record for extra-base hits.
For a franchise pushing 50, Zimmerman’s achievements are remarkable. As most records do, someone will surpass his. If Harper stays after next year, he will shatter them.
What happens in the future takes nothing away from what Zimmerman means to the city, team and record books. He remains the face of the Nats.