Nationals DVD premiere a hit

11/17/2005
WASHINGTON -- A crowd of about 200 people went to the ESPN Zone on Thursday afternoon to catch the premiere of "Baseball returns: Washington Nationals inaugural season."
The DVD, which can be ordered on nationals.com, recaps the Nationals' first season in Washington. From the first pitch to the final out, the fans experienced baseball's reunion with D.C. as the DVD featured highlights, player interviews and commentary.
The highlights featured everything from President George W. Bush throwing out the first ball on Opening Day to Brad Wilkerson hitting for the cycle against the Phillies to manager Frank Robinson's near fight with Angels manager Mike Scioscia.
All of those moments were captured by Charlie Slowes and Dave Shea, the radio voices of the Nationals, and Mel Proctor, who did the play-by-play on TV.
There were plenty of interviews in the DVD, and people like Robinson and Wilkerson explained why they were able to have one of the best records in baseball during the first half of the season.
The DVD doesn't avoid the lowlights. It touches on the Nationals' struggles in the second half, during which they went 29-45. Not even the acquisition of Preston Wilson before the trade deadline could get the team back to its winning ways.
The Nationals finished the season at 81-81 and drew 2,731,993 for the season.
"Being part of that season was the most exciting thing I have ever been involved in during my career. The emotional ride was tremendous, and there was intensity every night," said Slowes, who was the emcee of the event. "I think the DVD gives you a pretty good feel for what it was like every night at RFK Stadium. It gives fans a chance to relive some of the moments from the season."
After the show ended, Slowes hosted a raffle in which fans had a chance to win autographed baseballs from Jose Guillen and John Patterson and a free DVD on the Nationals.
Four people had a chance to win the baseball with Guillen's autograph on it, but they all left the restaurant, and Rob Armour, a season-ticket holder, ended up winning the baseball. Jenny Mulhente won the Patterson autographed baseball, while Scott Christian won the DVD.
"I was glad I stuck around. I was hoping that I would win." Armour said. "I'm a Washington fan that goes back to 1958, when the Senators played at Griffith Stadium."
In other news, Slowes, Guillen and reliever Gary Majewski will help the club unveil an alternate third jersey on Saturday at the Modell's Sporting Goods located in the Springfield Mall in Springfield, Va.
Guillen, Majewski and Slowes will be available to meet fans, talk baseball and sign autographs until 1 p.m. ET.
Outfielder Marlon Byrd also will unveil the jersey at the Nationals team store on Saturday from 12-1 p.m.

Source: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/