In a crazy night of guest appearances, this one is going to be hard to top.

(Zimm flew out to deep LF btw.)

On this day in sports history April 28, 2012

The most hyped prospect of a generation, 19-year-old Bryce Harper, makes his major league debut for the Nationals

The youngest player in the majors at the time, Harper records a double in the 7th and a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 9th

Stephen Strasburg made his much anticipated MLB debut, striking out 14 batters across 7 innings without issuing a walk as the Washington Nationals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 in front of a sold-out crowd in Washington, D.C.

The only runs Strasburg allowed came on a two-run home run by Delwyn Young.

Strasburg’s 14 strikeouts are the 3rd most ever by a pitcher in their MLB debut.

Most strikeouts in an MLB debut:

T-1.) J.R. Richard — 15 strikeouts (September 5, 1971)
T-1.) Karl Spooner — 15 strikeouts (September 22, 1954)
3.) Stephen Strasburg — 14 strikeouts (June 8, 2010)
T-4.) Cliff Melton — 13 strikeouts (April 25, 1937)
T-4.) Freddy Peralta — 13 strikeouts (May 13, 2018)

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

That is all....

On this day in sports history May 29, 2017

One of baseball’s wildest modern brawls erupted between the Nationals and Giants after Hunter Strickland drilled Bryce Harper with a 98 MPH fastball in the 8th inning.

Harper immediately charged the mound, triggering a benches-clearing fight.

The Nationals claimed the pitch was retaliation for the 2014 NLDS when Harper homered twice off Strickland and the two exchanged words. The pair had not faced each other again until this moment.

Harper received a 4-game suspension while Strickland was suspended 6 games.

Former Nationals outfielder Michael Morse suffered a concussion during the melee, which ultimately ended his MLB career

I got this when they first came out.

CJ Abrams is one of just 4 shortstops in MLB history to record 14+ HR, 50+ RBI, and 10+ SB through their first 70 games of a season.

• Fernando Tatís Jr. (2021 Padres)
27 HR / 56 RBI / 20 SB

• Alex Rodriguez (1998 Mariners)
24 HR / 51 RBI / 15 SB

• Nomar Garciaparra (1999 Red Sox)
14 HR / 57 RBI / 10 SB

• CJ Abrams (2026 Nationals)
14 HR / 53 RBI / 10 SB

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

With everything going on, Keibert’s stats have slipped under the radar, but he’s been pretty good overall this season. 283 average and 769 ops! I see you Ruiz.

Yeah so what if it’s tied? So what if it’s June? Who thought we’d be here? You? No you didn’t. Stop lying.

WHO ELSE IS EXCITED? BASEBALL GODS ARE BLESSING US WITH GREAT WEATHER! TODAY IS GOING TO BE A GOOD DAY!

Ladies and gentlemen,

We have a new purpose.

During this otherwise meaningless series against the Red Sox this weekend, the Nationals can end the longest current playoff drought in baseball.

I'm speaking, of course, about the Seattle Mariners.

With three games left to play this regular season, the Mariners and Red Sox both sit at 89-70. This weekend, the Mariners host the Angels, while the Red Sox are headed to DC.

By executive decision, I hereby announce that /r/Nationals is jumping on the Mariners bandwagon.

This decision definitely has nothing to do with the fact that, should the Mariners make it, the title of longest postseason drought would pass to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Here's what you need to do: root for the Nationals. Every Nats win in SE Washington will benefit our playoff-deprived brothers and sisters in NW Washington.

It is so ordered.

Just realized it while watching random videos. What a career! So glad he won it all before he retired.