Nats jump into local efforts in first year

11/23/2005
WASHINTON -- More than 2.7 million fans went to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in 2005 to see the Nationals play their first season in Washington.
But the Nationals were just as popular off the field, as they participated in over 30 charity events ranging from Brad Wilkerson and Gary Bennett paying a visit to Children's Hospital in Northwest Washington, D.C., to Brian Schneider participating in the Major League Baseball Players Association's "Buses for Baseball" program, a leaguewide initiative designed to bring underprivileged youth to Major League baseball games around the country.
"For our first year, it was quite successful. We definitely have room to grow, and we are certainly planning on doing that," said Barbra Silva, the Nationals' director of community relations. "But given the first year, and the short turnaround time on quite a few things that needed to be done, I think players did a great job."
Arguably the most heartfelt moment occurred June 29 at RFK Stadium. Outfielder Jose Guillen went to the stadium on that day with a left shoulder contusion, an injury he sustained sliding headfirst in the third inning against the Blue Jays on June 26.
But Guillen decided to play because of the war veterans he visited at Walter Reed Army Medical Center the previous afternoon. Most of the veterans had been fighting in Iraq.
Guillen gave some of the veterans tickets to the June 29 game between the Nationals and Pirates, donated $10,000 to the Walter Reed Society, which helps the families of war veterans and distributed red hats with the Nationals logo.
"They were my motivation to play," said Guillen. "The veterans mean a lot to me. They have given their lives in Iraq. I decided to go to the hospital and see how those people are. It's tough to see. I was shocked to see how these [soldiers] live their lives like that. I know we have a lot of rich people in this country, and we could help these guys."
Infielder Jamey Carroll was another giving player. A candidate for the 2005 Roberto Clemente Award, Carroll was active with the Nationals organization by visiting the soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center. He also assisted with the team's community outreach by acting as the Nationals' Mother's Day Breast Cancer Awareness player representative.
Carroll's involvement in breast cancer awareness hits close to home. Carroll's aunt, Marilyn Watson, passed away from the disease a day after the Expos drafted him in the 14th round of the 1996 First-Year Player Draft.
Carroll donates his time and teaching skills to baseball camps in Washington and back home in Indiana.
Next year, the Nationals are hoping to get the players even more involved in the community.
"We have a preliminary plan for next year. One of the things we have in mind is to have the players more involved in youth baseball programming and educational initiatives," Silva said. "We realize it takes a bit of time to get things going."

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