Ryan Zimmerman News: Pro Sports Daily

Nationals' Zimmerman receives Silver Slugger

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November 13

Washington Times

"One day after getting recognized for his superior defensive skills, Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was honored for being one of the sport's best offensive players as well. Zimmerman won his first Silver Slugger Award on Thursday, selected by National League managers and coaches as the league's best offensive third baseman. The 25-year-old set career highs with 33 homers, a .292 average and 110 runs while also driving in 106 RBI. His 30-game hitting streak in April and May was the majors' longest in 2009. Combine that production at the plate with his stellar work in the field - he won his first Gold Glove Award on Wednesday - and Zimmerman put together quite a season. ..."

Nationals' Zimmerman earns first Gold Glove

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November 12

Washington Times

"There was plenty of complicated statistical evidence that suggested Ryan Zimmerman was the National League's best defensive third baseman this season. Despite his impressive baseball IQ, though, the Washington Nationals star doesn't get caught up in arcane measurements like range factor and ultimate zone rating. "I don't look at any advanced stats," he said. "To be honest with you, I just try to get every single ball that comes my way." Perhaps the NL managers and coaches who handed Zimmerman his first Gold Glove Award on Wednesday based their decision not only on numbers but also on what they saw with their own eyes. In either case, it was tough not to go with Zimmerman as the NL's top ..."

Rollins, Victorino again get Gold Gloves

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November 12

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino did not win the World Series again this year, but they are repeat winners of the Gold Glove at their positions.Rollins won his third consecutive National League Gold Glove at shortstop yesterday, while Victorino claimed his second straight in the outfield.Rollins, who will turn 31 on Nov. 27, led all major-league shortstops with a .990 fielding percentage and made just six errors, fewest among full-time big-league shortstops. He had an 86-game errorless streak during the season.Rollins is the first NL shortstop to win three straight Gold Gloves since Rey Ordonez did so with the New York Mets (1997-99). He is the first Phillie to win three in a row at any ..."

Zimmerman wins Gold Glove award

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November 11

Washington Times

"Ryan Zimmerman won his first Rawlings Gold Glove award on Wednesday, yet another affirmation of the finest season of the Washington Nationals third baseman's career to date. Zimmerman, regarded as an exceptional defensive player by the Nationals from the moment they drafted him out of Virginia in 2005, now has been recognized by the rest of the baseball world for his work in the field. The Gold Gloves are awarded based on the votes of managers and coaches from that players league, conducted near the end of the season. National League coaches clearly took notice of Zimmerman's flair for the dramatic and his ability to get to balls few other players could. He led all major leaguers in "Web ..."

Phils, Cards, LA each take two Gold Gloves

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November 11

MLB.com

"They flashed leather, pulled off web gems, picked it, got their uniforms dirty, and stoked stadiums with razor-sharp routes, dazzling dives and wall-scraping wows. They're the 2009 National League winners of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, announced on Wednesday. At first base, San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez repeated his 2008 crown by tying for fourth in the league with a fielding percentage of .995. Gonzalez made only seven errors in 1,367 total chances in the midst of his second straight All-Star campaign. The second base Gold Glove returned to the possession of Orlando Hudson, the Dodgers veteran who won Senior Circuit hardware in 2006 and 2007 while with the D-backs after ..."

Zimmerman, pitching yield another win

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October 2

Washington Times

"It's tough enough gutting through September for a last-place club. It's even tougher when the regular-season schedule extends into October. Ryan Zimmerman has seen plenty of his Washington Nationals teammates struggle to sustain a high level of performance during the final weeks of a difficult year. Zimmerman understands the challenge, but he refuses to succumb to it. "Everyone wants to finish strong. You don't want to finish scuffling," he said. "But it's a tough time of year. You've got to stay focused." Zimmerman's focus at the plate and in the field Thursday night allowed the Nationals to snare a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Strong pitching performances by Garrett Mock (six ..."

Zimmerman, Nats Win a Tight One in Atlanta

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October 2

Washington Post

"The point, now, is to finish strong, even when the finish line itself doesn't promise much. Ryan Zimmerman knows this. For months now, the Washington Nationals have played games with only a night's dignity on the line, and Zimmerman has been there every time, enduring what few others manage to endure. "That's the hardest thing to do," Zimmerman said. "To have a year where I've been this consistent, it's huge for me." From their all-star, the Nationals take their cues. Sometimes, because of him, they also win late-season, grind-it-out games. That's what happened Thursday, in Washington's 2-1 victory over the Braves at Turner Field. Just hours before the first pitch, Atlanta had been ..."

Nats' MVP started at the top

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September 28

Washington Times

"Quick, who has been the Washington Nationals' MVP in 2009? Ryan Zimmerman? Adam Dunn? John Lannan? While there are certainly arguments to be made for any of those guys, there might actually be a stronger case for a position player who was with the team for only 51 games this season. Yes, Nyjer Morgan. Plain and simple, the Nationals were a much better team with Morgan and have been much worse without him. Here's the statistical evidence: In 77 games before Morgan was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington's offense scored an average of 4.32 runs a game and struggled to a 23-54 record (a .299 winning percentage). In 51 games with Morgan, Washington increased its offensive ..."

Zimmerman hits 30th home run as Nationals top Mets, 6-5, at Citi Field

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September 19

New York Daily News

"Raise your hand if you really expected Carlos Delgado to make it back this season. Exactly. With Delgado shut down from running once again in recent days, Jerry Manuel Friday delivered the ultra-obvious news that "time is running out" on the first baseman playing again in 2009. "I think he's had a couple setbacks in the time we were gone that possibly could prevent him from playing for us this season," Manuel said before the skidding Mets returned home and lost for the 10th time in 11 games, 6-5, to the Nationals Friday night at Citi Field, falling short despite a three-run ninth inning. "It's disappointing in that Carlos Delgado is a big part of the leadership core of the team and to ..."

Another Zimmerman walk-off

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September 7

Washington Times

"It's been a while since Ryan Zimmerman wowed the home crowd like this. Indeed, as big a season as the Nats third baseman has had, he came to the plate in the ninth inning today without any walk-off hits to his name this season. Zim, of course, was Mr. Walk-Off the last three years, clubbing four game-winning homers. So you knew it had to happen again eventually. Sure enough, he did it today, smacking a 1-1 changeup from Florida's Leo Nunez into the Red Porch to give the Nationals a 5-4 win. I'll have plenty more on Zim in tomorrow's paper -- by sheer coincidence, I had already written our weekly Nats Insider on the guy before today's game, had to tweak that some afterward -- but I want to ..."

Marlins lose game, sweep of Nats in ninth

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September 7

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Five Leo Nunez pitches and it was over. Anibal Sanchez's six shutout innings, Hanley Ramirez's 100th career homer, Chris Coghlan's exceptional baserunning to give his team a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, all for naught. Willie Harris crushed the first pitch he'd ever seen from Nunez into the right field seats Two batters later with a man on, Ryan Zimmerman unloaded on a 1-1 changeup to give the Nationals a series-salvaging 5-4 walk-off win at Nationals Park Sunday. "Bam, bam, bam and we're done," third baseman Wes Helms said. "That's unusual for a comeback... That's the way it went today." In blowing his third save in 19 chances since assuming the closer role, Nunez allowed his ..."

Zimmermann to have surgery on Wednesday

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August 13

Washington Times

"The Washington Nationals got the third opinion on Jordan Zimmermann's elbow that they had been waiting for, and it confirmed Tuesday what the first two had said - the right-hander needs Tommy John surgery. Dr. Lewis Yocum examined Zimmermann's MRI results and agreed with Dr. James Andrews and Nationals team doctor Wiemi Douoguih in prescribing the operation for Zimmermann's partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. Yocum will perform the operation in California on Wednesday, and the 23-year-old will miss the rest of this season and most of next season. Acting general manager Mike Rizzo said Zimmermann will rehab the rest of this season with the team and likely will rehab in major league ..."

Dunn, Zim propel Nats

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August 4

Washington Examiner

"In a season where little has gone right for the Nationals, a .500 road trip is nothing to scoff at. That's exactly what Washington accomplished since it last played a game at Nationals Park on July 26th. A road trip to Milwaukee and Pittsburgh saw the team's first baseman, Nick Johnson, and setup man, Joe Beimel, each play his last game with the club -- but it also ended on a relative high note Monday evening. Adam Dunn belted a three-run home run in the sixth inning to put the Nats ahead for good and they added four insurance runs in the seventh to put Pittsburgh away in an 8-4 win at PNC Park. Washington (34-72) salvaged a 4-4 trip, winning the first two games in Milwaukee and fighting ..."

Zimmerman's Arm Slot Responsible for Errors

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July 18

Washington Post

"Ryan Zimmerman was the Washington Nationals' lone all-star, and he has shown why this season with a host of highlight-reel plays in the field. But he has also been prone to throwing errors, which is why he has recently focused on sharpening his work defensively. Zimmerman is perhaps the Nationals' best fielder with his range at third base -- often snaring drives at the foul line or charging in for balls near the mound -- but frequently making plays on the move might have affected his delivery on more routine, third-to-first throws. "You can get yourself in a position where you're throwing a lot of balls on the run because that's the only thing you can do by the time you get to them, and ..."

Zimmerman's absence yields lineup moves

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July 12

Washington Times

"With Ryan Zimmerman gone for a second day and his usual No. 3 spot in the lineup vacant, the Washington Nationals are finding out just how creative they have to be to make up for the third baseman's absence. Zimmerman was in North Carolina attending his grandmother Ilene's funeral Saturday, and manager Manny Acta said the Nationals thought he might be back in time for at least part of Saturday night's game with the Houston Astros. Acta said if Zimmerman did make it back, he would be limited to pinch-hitting duties before getting back in the lineup Sunday. Without Zimmerman, who is playing in his first All-Star Game on Tuesday, the Nationals rolled out their second change to the middle of ..."

Zimmerman leaves team for funeral

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July 11

Washington Times

"Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on his way to North Carolina for his grandmother's funeral, was out of the Washington Nationals' lineup Friday for the first time all year. Zimmerman's grandmother Ilene died Wednesday in Pinehurst, N.C., at 82. Services are scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and manager Manny Acta said Zimmerman will probably be back for at least part of Saturday night's game against the Houston Astros, though not in time to start. In Zimmerman's absence, Nick Johnson moved to third in the lineup, Cristian Guzman jumped back up from sixth to second and Willie Harris started at third base. Pitchers hitting well It's usually the case that any offensive contribution whatsoever - ..."

Nats' Zimmerman tabbed as National League reserve for All-Star game

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July 6

Washington Examiner

"Ryan Zimmerman had no real plans for Major League Baseball's All-Star break next week. His hometown of Virginia Beach is just a short car ride away, after all. But while Zimmerman will still catch up with friends and family, that reunion will instead happen at the All-Star game itself in St. Louis The Nationals' third baseman was named to a reserve spot on the National League roster for the July 14th All-Star game. It will be the first appearance for the 24-year-old, who earlier this season signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension with the Nats. "The fans mean everything to this game," said Zimmerman. "But to get voted in [as a reserve] by the people you play against day-in and ..."

Zimmerman nets first All-Star nod

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July 6

Washington Times

"When Ryan Zimmerman was summoned to the manager's office Sunday morning at Nationals Park, his first reaction was one of fear. "I thought I was in trouble," the 24-year-old third baseman said. Zimmerman should know what's going on the next time he gets that tap on the shoulder on the first Sunday in July. It means he's going to the All-Star Game, which the Washington Nationals expect to become a regular occurrence for the face of their franchise. "I hope this is just the start of a stretch of maybe 10 or 15 years for him," manager Manny Acta said. Selected for the first time in his four-year career, Zimmerman will represent Washington and serve as the backup third baseman on the ..."

This Selection Sunday Is Kind to Zimmerman

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July 6

Washington Post

"When Manager Manny Acta got word of Ryan Zimmerman's honor, he summoned Washington's third baseman to his office. For a moment, though, Zimmerman worried. "I didn't even know, to tell you the truth, that they did the stuff today," he said. "I thought I was in trouble when I went into his office." Zimmerman, instead, received word about his selection to play in this year's All-Star Game, scheduled for July 14 in St. Louis. Acta, and others in Washington's front office, shared an immediate awareness of what Zimmerman's selection meant. The 24-year-old will represent, for the first time, the franchise that drafted him. For several years now -- but especially since he signed a five-year, ..."

Zimmerman's streak ends at 30

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May 14

Baltimore Sun

"Ryan Zimmerman's 30-game hitting streak ended when he went 0-for-3 with two walks, but Shairon Martis allowed two hits over seven sharp innings to remain unbeaten this season in the Washington Nationals' 6-3 victory over the host San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. Zimmerman never got the ball out of the infield, falling just short of Vladimir Guerrero's franchise-record streak of 31 games for the Montreal Expos in 1999. After two ground outs and two walks against Giants starter Barry Zito, Zimmerman grounded into a fielder's choice against reliever Pat Misch in the ninth. San Francisco fans gave him a standing ovation, and Zimmerman slid home with Washington's sixth run moments later, ..."

Giants stop streak but not Nationals

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May 14

Contra Costa Times

"The Giants stopped two streaks Wednesday afternoon in their 6-3 loss to Washington, and neither was very satisfying. While falling to the Nationals for the first time in two years, they halted the 30-game hitting streak of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who was 0-for-3 with two walks (one intentional). After he grounded into a fielder's choice in the ninth inning, Zimmerman was taken aback to receive a sustained ovation from the crowd of 30,120 at AT"

Zimmerman's hitting streak ends

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May 14

Washington Times

"Ryan Zimmerman stood before a pack of reporters and cameras, suddenly the center of attention for something he didn't do on the field Wednesday afternoon, and answered questions about not getting a base hit for the first time in 31 games. The Washington Nationals third baseman's answers underscored where his true passion has rested all along. He was never in this to try to set a hitting-streak record. He was in this to win ballgames. And because the Nationals won Wednesday 6-3 over the San Francisco Giants, it didn't matter that Zimmerman went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks and had his run come to an end. "Would I love to get a hit every game? Sure," he said. "I'm still going to try to get a ..."

Zimmerman's Hit Streak Ends, but Nats Get Win

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May 14

Washington Post

"Here was the moment Ryan Zimmerman said he would gladly accept in exchange for his 30-game hitting streak. In the seventh inning, with the Nationals rallying and Zimmerman still hitless, Giants Manager Bruce Bochy chose to intentionally walk the 24-year-old third baseman. The move backfired: Elijah Dukes drove in two runs with a broken-bat single, the key hit in the Nationals' 6-3 win over San Francisco. Zimmerman's streak -- just the seventh of 30 or more games this decade -- quietly ended here Wednesday afternoon. Zimmerman went 0 for 3 with two walks, failing to hit the ball out of the infield. In his final at-bat in the ninth inning, he grounded into a force play, then stood stoically ..."

Utley, Victorino talk about the mental side of a hitting streak

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May 14

Philadelphia Daily News

"THE 30-GAME hit streak of Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman came to an end yesterday afternoon in Washington's 6-3 win over the Giants, meaning he will not eclipse either Chase Utley's 35-game streak in 2006 - tied for 10th all time - or Jimmy Rollins' 38-game effort in 2005-06, which is the eighth longest in major league history.But it also means there will be a big weight off of Zimmerman's shoulders when the Phillies travel to Washington this weekend. Utley says he can relate."It's pretty much impossible to keep it out of your mind," said Utley, whose streak ran from June 23 to Aug. 3. "But I don't think it really changes, it shouldn't change, your approach or the way you prepare ..."

Hitting on all cylinders

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May 12

Washington Times

"By the time Ryan Zimmerman woke up Monday morning, his name already was appearing on ESPN's ticker as one of "The Lead" items, alongside previews of the evening's NBA and Stanley Cup playoff matchups. By the time Zimmerman arrived at AT&T Park in the afternoon, he already had requests for two television interviews, one on a D.C.-area cable station and another on the national MLB Network. And by the time Zimmerman stepped to the plate in the first to face Randy Johnson on Monday night, he had been approached by a number of people asking him about the majors' longest hitting streak in two years. Through it all, the Washington Nationals third baseman shrugged his shoulders, smiled and said ..."

Zimmerman extends hit streak to 28 games

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May 11

MLB.com

"Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 28 games against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sunday afternoon. The streak is the longest in baseball this season, and he is now halfway to Joe DiMaggio's record 56-game streak. When told he was at the midway point, Zimmerman rolled his eyes and said, "Halfway, huh? There's a long way to go. I'm concentrating on [extending the streak] to 29. I really don't think about it or anything past the next game. "It's so far away and so hard to do. I'm thrilled with what I've done so far. It's fun. It's something that I've never been through." In the top of first inning, facing right-hander Max Scherzer, Zimmerman hit a smash that hit ..."

Hot-corner stars shining brightly

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May 10

MLB.com

"The streak is dead, long live the streak. Even if Zack Greinke can't win 'em all, Ryan Zimmerman doesn't ever miss 'em all. As the pitching streak of the 2009 season went down, the hitting streak of the season kept chugging along with a dramatic late homer from Zimmerman, the Nationals' third baseman. But even he's not on the biggest roll in baseball. He's not even the hottest third baseman. Both honors belong to the Rays' Evan Longoria.While Zimmerman's 27-game streak is hard to top, Longoria's homer and five RBIs in Tampa Bay's romp at Fenway Park continued his torrid May pace, lifting his season RBI total to 44, including 20 in May and we're only nine days into it. Twenty-one of ..."

Zimmerman extends hitting streak to 27

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May 10

MLB.com

"It took Ryan Zimmerman's final at-bat to extend his hitting streak to 27 games and help the Nationals to a 2-1 victory over the D-backs at Chase Field on Saturday. The streak is the longest in baseball this season. In the top of eighth inning, facing right-hander Juan Gutierrez, Zimmerman hit the first pitch over the center-field wall for his sixth home run of the season to give Washington a 2-0 lead. The estimated distance of the home run was 422 feet. It marked the fourth time Zimmerman was able to extend the streak in his final at-bat. For the game, Zimmerman went 1-for-4 with an RBI. Earlier, he went 0-for-3 against left-hander Doug Davis. All three outs were to right field. "It's ..."

Zimmerman displays faith by signing deal

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April 21

Washington Times

"When Ryan Zimmerman called agent Brodie Van Wagenen to discuss the numbers on his five-year contract extension one final time, he was in the bowels of Miami's Dolphin Stadium, about five minutes from going out to stretch before the Nationals' first game of the year. The team was 0-0 then, coming off a tumultuous spring that finished on a coda of optimism, and Zimmerman had every reason to stand firm in the long-term commitment he was about to make to the franchise. Zimmerman called his parents after the game, told them about the five-year, $45 million deal he was about to sign and asked them to keep it quiet. Even the 12-6 loss to the Florida Marlins couldn't dampen his optimism. "I didn't ..."

Lengthy Talks Yield Zimmerman's Deal

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April 21

Washington Post

"On the morning of April 6, just hours before the Washington Nationals played their first game of the season, Ryan Zimmerman still had no clue about the contract that would determine his long-term standing with the organization. Since December 2006, Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, had shared thousands of phone calls and hundreds of contract proposals with the Nationals. And until that point, the two sides had agreed on none of them. If they couldn't agree before the first pitch of Opening Day -- 4:05 p.m. -- they would suspend negotiations for the rest of the regular season. For at least one reason, neither Van Wagenen nor Washington President Stan Kasten felt reason to panic. Even ..."

Nationals, Zimmerman agree to new contract

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April 20

Baltimore Sun

"Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a new contract, reportedly worth $45 million over five years. The team is planning a news conference Monday to make a formal announcement. Zimmerman was a first-round draft pick out of the University of Virginia in 2005. In 2006, he was the runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year voting after batting .287 with 20 homers and 110 RBIs. Injuries limited Zimmerman to 106 games last season, when he hit .283 with 14 homers and 51 RBIs. More Nationals: Washington is revamping its struggling bullpen, which is 0-5 with a 6.48 ERA. Right-hander Saul Rivera and catcher Josh Bard were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. ..."

Zimmerman Agrees to Five-Year Deal

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April 20

Washington Post

"Until at least 2013, Ryan Zimmerman will be under contract with the Washington Nationals -- the team that drafted him, and the team that has now affirmed his role in its future. Zimmerman and the Nationals have agreed to a five-year, $45 million deal, two industry sources said last night. A news conference is expected today. The agreement ends years of negotiations between the club and Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, and signals Washington's interest in retaining the young core of its team. Zimmerman has always been identified as its most important part. Drafted in the first round in 2005, Zimmerman became a full-time starter just one year later. Though he has never been an ..."

Zimmerman, Nats agree to new deal

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April 20

Washington Times

"The Washington Nationals' negotiations on a long-term contract for third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, which spanned nearly three seasons and two front-office executives, finally reached a fruitful conclusion. The team agreed to a long-term contract with Zimmerman on Sunday night and will announce the deal Monday, according to three sources with knowledge of the deal. Terms were not immediately available, but it is believed Zimmerman and the Nationals were talking about a deal in the range of $9 million a year to run through at least 2013. The contract brings to a conclusion the team's efforts to sign its 2005 first-round pick to a deal that would buy out the first several years of Zimmerman's ..."

Zimmerman out of contract talks loop

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April 18

Washington Times

"Ryan Zimmerman and the Washington Nationals may be moving closer to an agreement on a long-term extension, but the deal is not done and the third baseman has not signed off on anything. The sides have talked in the past week - even though Zimmerman has maintained all along that he didn't want to negotiate during the season - and have zeroed in on the framework of a contract that would run through at least 2013 and average about $9 million a season. Zimmerman, though, has not been involved in the talks and was blindsided Friday when asked about the possibility. "I haven't heard anything," he said. "Unless they're talking or doing something, I don't know. I'm just worried about playing." The ..."

Zimmerman, Nats Appear Close to Deal

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April 18

Washington Post

"Long touted as the principal building block of his franchise, Ryan Zimmerman is expected to soon sign a contract that substantiates that role. The Washington Nationals, making their biggest financial commitment since relocation, are moving toward a five-year, $45 million extension with their third baseman, a source said. Though the deal is not yet finalized, a contract announcement could come within the next few days. A long-term deal with Zimmerman would culminate some three years of negotiations and satisfy the team's longstanding desire to keep its 2005 first-round pick in Washington. The deal would begin this year, wiping out the current one-year, $3.325 million contract Zimmerman ..."

Contract Matters Likely On Hold

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April 6

Washington Post

"With neither side expecting to reach a deal by today's 4:10 p.m. deadline, talks between the Washington Nationals and Ryan Zimmerman on a long-term contract will be put on hold until after the season. Zimmerman, entering 2010, would again be eligible for arbitration, a scenario the fourth-year third baseman will embrace. Zimmerman said Sunday he would not be disappointed if the sides were unable to reach a long-term deal by Opening Day. "It's come a long way, and we obviously have a great relationship," Zimmerman said. "But the point is, I'm here for three more years no matter what. If we go year by year, I'll go out and put up numbers and see what happens. The hard part is behind me. ..."

Zimmerman Keeps His Cool at the Hot Corner

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March 15

Washington Post

"In the forgettable first inning of a meaningless game Friday night, a subtle play gave the Washington Nationals reason to be thankful they have Ryan Zimmerman. With runners at the corners, Houston's Carlos Lee hit a ball to third base. Joel Guzmán, manning the position while Zimmerman took the day off, stumbled at the ball, awkwardly corralled it, and eventually lobbed it to second. The Nationals recorded the forceout, and there was no error. But it wasn't a double play, as it should have been. Thus, in what could have been a scoreless frame, a run came home. There is, of course, no significance to such a play in March. But it serves as a reminder of what Zimmerman brings nearly every ..."

Zimmerman, Nationals Settle On One-Year Deal -- for Now

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February 21

Washington Post

"Confronted with a deadline to determine Ryan Zimmerman's 2009 salary, the Washington Nationals faced both a fear and a goal. They feared an arbitration case. They wanted a long-term deal. So in the end, when both parties emerged after hours of face-to-face meetings in Phoenix, Zimmerman had a one-year, $3.325 million contract, and Washington took comfort knowing this much: The immediate fear won't be realized. The ultimate goal still might be. Zimmerman's contract for 2009, which includes up to $175,000 in incentives, negated the need for an arbitration hearing and thwarted the possibility of any acrimony between the Nationals and their franchise player. Rather, the negotiations that ..."

Zimmerman, Nats agree

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February 21

Washington Times

"There was never any question Ryan Zimmerman was going to be on the Washington Nationals' roster this season. There was only the question of how his contract terms would be determined. The Nationals and their star third baseman reached agreement late Thursday night on a one-year, $3.325 million contract to avoid an arbitration hearing. "Either way it was going to be resolved [Friday], but I'm glad that we were able to get an agreement with the guy and not go through the arbitration hearing, because it's not a good process," manager Manny Acta said. "I know what goes on in there, and I don't think anyone wants to go in there and hear all the negative stuff being said about you." Zimmerman ..."

Zimmerman Is a No-Show

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February 18

Washington Post

"Still without a contract for the 2009 season, Ryan Zimmerman decided not to report to camp on Tuesday. The fresh practice uniforms in his locker remained untouched. The mail cluttering the locker's top shelf remained unopened. The looming questions that will shape the next chapter of Zimmerman's tenure with the Washington Nationals remained, for the moment, unresolved. Zimmerman's absence sets the stage for a crucial week. By Saturday, at the latest, Zimmerman will have a contract. But the two methods capable of delivering such a resolution offer opposite ramifications. A long-term contract agreement strengthens the harmony and goodwill between Zimmerman and the club that drafted him. An ..."

Focus on Zimmerman

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January 26

Washington Post

"The line of people waiting for photos with Ryan Zimmerman snaked around a sharp bend and down the Nationals Park fourth-floor concourse, so Luke Cardman withstood almost 70 minutes of waiting just to see his favorite ballplayer. But Cardman, like many at yesterday's inaugural NatsFest, had been thinking about Zimmerman long before he stepped in line. That morning, he crayoned a portrait of Zimmerman with all the details: The "W" hat, the glove, the No. 11 jersey. When he finally entered the photo room where Zimmerman sat, his mother bent down and whispered, "Look who's there." A photo umbrella hung above the stool where Zimmerman sat. A backdrop of pinkish clouds hung behind him. For 1 ..."

Zimmerman not always the first face seen

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August 1

Washington Times

columnist Thom Loverro

""The Washington Nationals are committed to providing programs that enhance education, increase participation in youth baseball and softball, while improving the quality of life in the local communities of the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Maryland." The organization is committed to community relations and deserves praise for its efforts. Some Nationals players, though, are a little more committed than others. Turns out the "faces of the franchise" - at least the ones fans see at community events or signing autographs at the ballpark - are Joel Hanrahan and John Lannan, based on appearances for the first half of the season. What about Ryan Zimmerman, the Nationals star often ..."

Zimmerman Hit by Pitch, Forced to Leave Another Loss

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August 1

Washington Post

"Impossible as it may sound, the Washington Nationals' season almost plunged farther into unrecoverable depths. Losing has been an infection -- Washington lost its ninth consecutive game last night, falling to the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-4 -- and the injury bug again bared fangs. Yes, somehow, it almost got worse. After being hit on the right hand with a pitch, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman exited and was taken for X-rays. The results were negative, and Zimmerman is listed as day-to-day with a right hand contusion. After the game, he said he might have a precautionary MRI exam. If good news ever emerged from a Washington loss, that Zimmerman did not break his hand on the play would ..."

Zimmerman back in Nats' loss

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July 23

Washington Times

"Their No. 3 hitter and third baseman was back in the lineup, their closer was on a plane to Phoenix to join his new team and their shortstop was all smiles after signing a two-year extension. But after a day of change that saw Ryan Zimmerman come off the disabled list, Jon Rauch get traded and Cristian Guzman earn $16 million, the Washington Nationals spent the evening looking very much like the club that had lost 61 of its previous 99 games this season. A 6-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants featured many of the themes so common to this disappointing season."

Nats Hoping Zimmerman Provides Boost

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July 22

Washington Post

"Only Ryan Zimmerman's return can finally fill the void he created some eight weeks ago. Sure, when Zimmerman suffered a left shoulder injury May 18 -- and when he vacated the Washington Nationals' lineup for good after May 25, in a prolonged attempt to recover -- Zimmerman was in the midst of a substandard season. Because of a miserable April, he had just a .257 average. With runners in scoring position, he was batting .170. But somehow, Zimmerman's importance to the team became more pronounced once his contributions disappeared. Without the third baseman, who will return to the lineup tonight against the San Francisco Giants, Washington had a 16-32 record."

Zimmerman Gets In a Few 'Dry Swings'

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July 2

Washington Post

"Ryan Zimmerman called them "dry swings" -- just a few hacks with the bat, no pitcher, no tee, no ball. He took 40 swings, broken into two sets and separated by a short rest. "I'm a little out of shape," he said. Still, for the Washington Nationals' third baseman, those dry swings were a means for getting his feet wet -- as well as a sign of encouragement that his rehabilitation program is working. Until Tuesday, Zimmerman, on the disabled list for a month with a small labral tear in his left shoulder, hadn't swung a bat since an ill-fated attempt at batting practice during a series against Arizona at the end of May."