Ryan Zimmerman became the face of the Nationals franchise almost since the time he became the regular third baseman in 2006.
But he will stay out of the limelight for the most part during All-Star events in the nation’s capital that culminate with the Midsummer Classic at Nationals Park on July 17.
“Being hurt is not so much fun this year. I will stay in the background. I don’t deserve to be out there with those guys,” said Zimmerman, standing by his locker recently.
Zimmerman was a first-round draft pick out of the University of Virginia in 2005 and made his big league debut in September of that year. He went on the disabled list May 12 with a right oblique strain.
The right-handed hitter is batting .217 with five homers in 33 games this season for Washington, after he hit .303 with a career-high 36 homers in 144 games last year. Zimmerman could join the Nationals at some point this month.
“Nobody wants to miss games. You obviously want to get back and help as much as you can,” said Zimmerman, an All-Star in 2009 and 2017.
Zimmerman will make some appearances during All-Star events, including the FanFest at D.C.’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Teammates Bryce Harper, ace starter Max Scherzer and closer Sean Doolittle were named to the National League team Sunday.
Two of Zimmerman’s former teammates will be on the American League team: catcher Wilson Ramos of Tampa Bay and Oakland reliever Blake Treinen.
Zimmerman has watched the city embrace the Nationals since baseball returned to the nation’s capital in 2005. The team first played at RFK Stadium and then moved into Nationals Park in 2008.
“The team has grown along with the fan base. I think it has been fun for both of us. The fans were better than we were early on,” said Zimmerman, with a smile. “We kind of grew up together. I think it is a good fan base.”
“One of the biggest things was getting a new stadium,” he added. “RFK was great, but a lot of other things happened there. It was built for football. Having our own stadium, I think that was big.”
In the first game at Nationals Park, Zimmerman hit a game-winning, walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves on March 30, 2008, with two outs in the last of the ninth.
“It is obviously something I will never forget,” he said.
Zimmerman noted that the Navy Yard neighborhood has improved in the last decade. Forbes magazine recently listed the Navy Yard as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the country.
“There are great places to get a drink and go out to eat,” he said. “It shows how the area has grown.”
Since he joined the Nationals he became teammates with outfielder Harper in 2012 and with pitcher Scherzer in 2015. Harper was the National League MVP in 2015 and Scherzer has won the National League Cy Young Award the last two years.
“With Max you are looking at one of the best pitchers of our generation. I don’t think it is too early to say that,” Zimmerman said. “When he has done over the last 10 years is pretty special. Bryce is the first of the new generation, the first poster boy of that generation.”
Harper said he is excited to take part in the Home Run Derby on July 16 at Nationals Park.
“It’s the main reason why I’m doing it,” he said. “If we weren’t in D.C., I probably wouldn’t have done it. But I’m looking forward to going out there and representing the Nationals and hopefully bring home the trophy.”
Harper said he looks forward to his father, Ron, throwing to him during the Home Run Derby.
“Growing up, you always play catch with your dad and enjoy those moments and I was able to do that every single day. I’m looking forward to just having the family around at the All-Star Game,” he said.
There is a chance Nationals shortstop Trea Turner could be added to the team. He is part of a group vying for the 32nd and final spot on the National League roster.
The Nationals began a three-game series Monday night in Pittsburgh. Washington right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2-1, 3.81) is slated to pitch for the Nationals on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. against the Pirates.
Washington was 45-44 through Sunday with just two wins from their starting pitchers since June 7. And the Nationals combined for 35 runs in those two wins: by Erick Fedde on June 29 at Philadelphia and Scherzer on Saturday against the Marlins.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.