District On Deck
FanSided

Nationals: Top 3 Opening Day performances in team history

By James Simmons

The Washington Nationals 2019 World Series pennant is shown prior to their Opening Day game against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park on July 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Washington Nationals 2019 World Series pennant is shown prior to their Opening Day game against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park on July 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Adam Dunn was as advertised in his first game with the Washington Nationals after signing a two-year contract.
Adam Dunn #44 of the Washington Nationals looks on during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on September 26, 2010 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The Nationals won 4-2. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Number 2: Adam Dunn 2009

Dunn: 2-4, 1 double, 1 home run, 2 runs scored, 4 RBI

Just as Bryce Harper hits home runs on Opening Day, Adam Dunn hits exactly 40 home runs in a season. In the four years prior to him signing a free agent contract with the Nationals, that is just what he did, hit exactly 40 home runs. Well, he may not have ended his first season with the Nats with 40 (came close in both years with 38), he did knock one out on Opening Day.

In a high scoring affair, which saw the team from DC fighting back from the get-go, Dunn burst on the scene immediately. In his second at bat he doubled to deep left field, driving in a run. He would later score in the inning. When he strolled to the plate a second time, with the Nats trailing 8-2, Dunn blasted a three-run shot to right field to pull his team back within striking distance.

While the Nationals would drop the opener to the Florida Marlins, they would get a glimpse of things to come. They saw Dunn’s raw power up close, and even though he struck out too much over the course of his stay, there are still people fighting for a Big Donkey Day in The District.

Home/Nationals News