The Nationals have several players celebrating birthdays this week so wanted to send out a big Happy Birthday greeting to Jamie Burke (9/24), Wil Nieves, (9/25), Jason Bergmann (9/25), Victor Garate (9/25), John Lannan (9/27) and Ryan Zimmerman (9/28). 

These six players all share the astrological sign of the Libra so for fun, I looked up the traits.

Librans are first and foremost focused on others and how they relate to them. 
Librans are good when paired up, too, since they epitomize balance, harmony and a sense of fair play. They are true team players at work. The Libra-born are keen strategists, organizing groups with poise and getting the job done.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIL, JASON, VICTOR, JOHN, RYAN AND JAMIE! 

Pictures posted soon of Jason and Jamie.

Photos © 2009 C. Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY 27TH BIRTHDAY SEAN BURNETT!

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLYIN' WILLIE!

Thanks for playing so hard and keeping us gasping

at your flying catches and walk-off home runs!

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Posted by Cheryl Nichols

The buzz in NatsTown yesterday was on the draft and the future young pitchers of the Nationals. While we were focused on our first four picks, another promising pitcher was starting to make his way back from a long time injury.

Matt Chico made a rehab start for Hagerstown last night and pitched the first two innings of the game for the Suns. He allowed two runs on three hits while striking out two Lakewood BlueClaws batters.

The left-handed starter pitched in 31 games for the Nats in 2007 and went 7-9 with a 167.0 IP, 4.63 ERA ,94 SO and 74 BB. Chico only pitched eleven games in 2008 and then went on the 60-Day DL last May where he has remained. June 12, 2008, Dr. James Andrews confirmed that he had significant ossification of his ulnar collateral ligament and loose bodies in the back of his left throwing elbow and had Tommy John surgery on July 3, 2008.

Matt was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 2001 amateur draft, but did not sign. He was then drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round of the 2003 amateur draft. In case you don't remember how Chico became a Nat, he and Garrett Mock were traded from Arizona to the Washington Nationals for Livan Hernandez and cash on August 7, 2006.

It also happens to be Matt's birthday today. Happy 26th Birthday Matt Chico! We hope that the rehab goes well and we look forward to seeing at Nationals Park soon.

AP Photo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLLIN!

Photo 2008 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN KEARNS!

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARQUIS GRISSOM!

How about win #2 for your birthday?

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY 34TH BIRTHDAY RONNIE!

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008. All rights reserved.

HAPPY 24TH BIRTHDAY LASTINGS!

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2009. All rights reserved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAIRON MARTIS!

And congratulations on the fourth spot in the rotation! Keep it up!

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2009. All rights reserved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANNY!

We are looking forward to seeing you soon at the Nats Caravan!

Photo (c) Cheryl Nichols