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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - It should be a fun last three days at RFK Stadium. To have National League East rivals like the Mets, Braves and Phillies come in for the final homestand has been exciting for all of us because every single game feels like it’s the postseason.
That atmosphere actually changes the game a lot — the way it’s played, the way it’s managed. Every run matters. Teams bunt more. They run through a ton of relief pitchers. Our team doesn’t really have the pressure on us that the Phillies and the Mets do. But we still want to take advantage of the situation and play well.
The Phillies are a really tough team to play against. We’re 5-6 against them so far, but almost every game is close and we seem to have a lot of crazy extra-inning games against them. Hopefully that won’t happen his weekend. We know a lot of Phillies fans will make the trip like they always do. But you can’t really get upset about that as a player. Their team is in the race and I’m sure there are a lot of Philadelphians who live in the D.C. area and come out to games. Philadelphia fans are extra loud and yell at you all the time so that makes it a little sweeter when we beat them.
Even though our team isn’t in the race it’s still important to us that teams know they can’t come in here and just expect to take two out of three or sweep us. We’ve made that apparent all year anyway and earned a lot of respect from other teams around the league. But we think what we have going here is only going to improve in the years to come, starting next year. Playing hard in games like these sets the tone.
Something else about these games is important, too. Other players aren’t going to want to come here if they don’t think we’re heading in the right direction. By playing well in September in games that really matter, you also let them know this is a good situation. Players talk all the time. You come across guys at different times throughout the year and every one of us has friends on other teams. Everyone knows if you have a good clubhouse and an organization that’s behind the players. That’s so important because you spend so many days throughout the season around the same guys. We do have a good group here. Sometimes that alone can be as big a draw as a new stadium.
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"
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1:23 AM MST on Sat., Aug. 25, 2007
re: "Preparing for road trips wears on players"
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11:38 AM MST on Fri., Jun. 22, 2007
re: "Zim still learning on the fly"
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8:12 AM MST on Fri., Jun. 22, 2007
re: "Zim still learning on the fly"
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9:13 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 4, 2007
re: "Tough start has not dampened Nats’ spirits"
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9:09 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 4, 2007
re: "‘Feels like you’re floating around the bases’"
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7:20 PM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007
re: "Clowns to the left, jokers to the right"
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6:01 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 19, 2007
re: "Zimmerman: The hits feel better in the later innings"
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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
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Examiner Reader said:
I wish my boss would send me on a road trip and pay me what these guys make.
217 agree | 233 disagree
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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
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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
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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.
464 agree | 268 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ryan gives a great look into how it's like when you deliver the game winning hit.
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Examiner Reader said:
Great insight Ryan into what it's like in the clubhouse. It made me laugh!
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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?
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