Rick Snider: Even better than expected

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The end of his first season has Ryan Zimmerman looking forward to mothballing his GPS still needed to navigate around Washington and heading home to Virginia Beach. Who knows, maybe even a Florida vacation before returning there for spring training in 4 1/2 months.

And best of all, no fall baseball.

“No fall league?” said Zimmerman, a grin growing upon reflection. “I’ll probably get bored and start working out.”

There may be just one more obligation for the Washington Nationals third baseman — hoisting the Rookie of the Year trophy. It seems the 2005 first-rounder is even better than expected.

Indeed, manager Frank Robinson said Zimmerman is the best rookie he has ever coached.

“Third base is taken care of a long time,” Robinson said. “You want to put pieces together knowing that that position you don’t have to worry about for a number of years to come. I wouldn’t be surprised one day to see his name associated with MVP award.”

Alfonso Soriano was the Nats’ best player this season, but Zimmerman is the franchise. The first Washington player to potentially gain top freshman honors since Bob Allison took the 1959 American League Rookie of the Year, Zimmerman should outpoint Florida’s Dan Uggla for the National League award.

“In my mind, he is the Rookie of the Year,” Robinson said, “but I don’t have a vote. He’s helped this ballclub in ways I couldn’t even imagine when the season started. He’s put up numbers I wouldn’t have thought about him achieving at the beginning of the year.”

Like being in the lineup all but five games when the Nats didn’t have a backup third baseman. Leading MLB rookies with 24 go-ahead hits and 12 game-winners. Becoming only the fifth rookie since 1988 to surpass 100 RBI and hitting the second most doubles by a rookie ever. Zimmerman’s 20th home run on Wednesday tied the franchise rookie mark.

Then there was that midseason 18-game hitting streak and two walk-off hits in three days in early July. And don’t forget a collection of behind-the-bag fielding displays that merited Gold Glove talk. Zimmerman even amused the crowd on Wednesday with his 11th bunt single following the homer.

The kid has been more than steady in his first year; he’s the rock that forms foundations. Robinson gave the rookie a couple short breaks to freshen up, but otherwise relied upon the youngster.

“[Zimmerman] never complained. Never asked for a day off,” Robinson said. “I’m glad he didn’t because he wouldn’t have gotten it. ... To his credit, he stayed in there and wanted to play. He found a way to get it back together [whenever tiring].”

Said Zimmerman: “It’s a grind, but it’s fun to go out there every day and play.”

The manager and budding star have a good relationship. Robinson said he has barely needed to speak to Zimmerman about potential bad habits or mistakes. In return, Zimmerman appreciated the light touch.

“[Robinson] does a good job with me,” Zimmerman said. “If I make a mistake, he knows I’m learning. He didn’t put a lot of pressure on me all year and that helped out.”

Zimmerman remains the quiet freshman to the end. The standout season hasn’t changed his humble approach. Just play the game hard and success will come. Maybe even the trophy, too.

“To win [Rookie of the Year] would be a great honor,” he said. “There’s a ton of great young players in the National League.”

Including one in Washington.

Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at rsnider@dcexaminer.com.

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