Choose Your Location
|
![]() |
But at the same time, I felt good at the plate right before the break and in that situation would rather just keep playing. You never want to stop a hot streak because you’re never exactly sure why they happen. I’m not the type of player who makes big adjustments.
The swing I have now is pretty much the one I’ve had my whole life. Every season is going to have times where you see the ball well and get results and times where you can’t seem to hit it at all.
The best thing about the All-Star break is it gives you a chance to refresh mentally for the second half. Our manager, Manny Acta, did a good job staying on top of us once the games started to grind together. There were not a lot of expectations on us before the season. We could have treated it like a rebuilding year. But Manny expects us to play hard every game. It doesn’t matter how many games we were supposed to win. That’s the great thing about baseball, anyway. We can beat any team in the league on a given night if we play with the effort he expects. If you do that and still lose then you just got beat.
The All-Star break did give me a chance to get away from the game and relax a little bit. It’s funny, because a lot of times players look forward to the days off and then when you get them it feels weird. You’re so used to doing something every single day that by Tuesday you’re looking for something to do.
I was almost bored. But I did get a chance to watch the All-Star Game with a few of my buddies. It’s always a fun event to watch and I hope sometime soon I can be out there playing in it. We were all proud of our teammate, Dmitri Young, for making it to San Francisco. He’s been through a lot the last couple years and it was nice to see him get that kind of recognition.
So now it’s on to the second half of the season. I’ve never really been big on setting individual goals. There are things I always want to improve. But baseball is a game where you just want to do something positive every night. If I do that, then by the end of the year my numbers will be right where I want them.
As told to The Examiner’s Brian McNally.
Nats third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is one of baseball’s rising stars and, at 22, the face of the franchise. Now he’ll share his thoughts with The Examiner’s readers each week throughout the baseball season.



Comments from Examiner Readers
12:37 PM MST on Wed., May. 14, 2008 re: "High school pressure helps create success"
Report as inappropriate
1:23 AM MST on Sat., Aug. 25, 2007
re: "Preparing for road trips wears on players"
Report as inappropriate
11:38 AM MST on Fri., Jun. 22, 2007
re: "Zim still learning on the fly"
Report as inappropriate
8:12 AM MST on Fri., Jun. 22, 2007
re: "Zim still learning on the fly"
Report as inappropriate
9:13 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 4, 2007
re: "Tough start has not dampened Nats’ spirits"
Report as inappropriate
9:09 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 4, 2007
re: "‘Feels like you’re floating around the bases’"
Report as inappropriate
7:20 PM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007
re: "Clowns to the left, jokers to the right"
Report as inappropriate
6:01 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 19, 2007
re: "Zimmerman: The hits feel better in the later innings"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
I really wonder if Zimm writes it or tells the reporters and they put it on paper...Either way I love reading his articles!
3 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I wish my boss would send me on a road trip and pay me what these guys make.
217 agree | 234 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Love reading the articles by Zimm. It's a great way for the fan to get an inside glimpse of the Nats and how the team interacts with one another. The practical jokes on one another crack me up. I guess boys still play around in the locker room...even in the big league.
429 agree | 312 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
we are all very proud of Zimmy here in the DC area. Manny Acta and Lerner are going to field a competitive team a lot sooner than anyone thinks. By 2009 or 10, the Nats are going to be in contention for a pennant. They care a lot about the fans here and it shows.
285 agree | 256 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
As a huge Nats fan, it's hard to see them lose this many games, but it's good to know that the team is still positive.
465 agree | 268 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Ryan gives a great look into how it's like when you deliver the game winning hit.
271 agree | 292 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Great insight Ryan into what it's like in the clubhouse. It made me laugh!
402 agree | 356 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Ryan, thanks for writing this column. We're big fans of and wish you a lot lot luck! I'm curious your take on the element of luck that exists in baseball. I've noticed that you're hitting the ball well but many times it's right at an opposing player. How much of this can you control and how much of this is attributed to luck?
402 agree | 323 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree