Photo: @Capitals
Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals were on hand at Nationals Park on Saturday afternoon before the Washington Nationals took on the San Francisco Giants. The Stanley Cup was on hand and the Nats put together a video tribute and recognition of the 2018 Stanley Cup champions. Afterwards, the baseball was handed to Ovechkin as the threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
First the boys of winter and the boys of summer took a group photo in the Nationals clubhouse.
GANG’S ALL HERE! #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/0FqcAyEyGF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 9, 2018
Here comes the Cup!
Here we go!! #ALLCAPS #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/ako4g9D6OA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 9, 2018
Then came Ovechkin’s first pitch. Max Scherzer did the honors of catching Ovechkin’s pitch but Ovechkin overthrew it just a bit outside.
Ovi’s first first pitch didn’t go so well pic.twitter.com/fER3BRzCD0
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 9, 2018
The DC crowd cheered anyway and the music sounded but Ovechkin wasn’t done. He signaled to Scherzer that he wanted another chance. The second time was much better.
Take 2 Ovi first pitch pic.twitter.com/QJJgwAB37E
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 9, 2018
Here’s both pitches:
The First Pitch(es) #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/8Zdo4pvDEX
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 9, 2018
Nationals manager Dave Martinez was asked if the Capitals championship run could carry over and inspire the Nationals this October as they chase towards a World Series title.
#ALLCAPS!! #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/wNeuxPPkte
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 9, 2018
“I think this can carry over and really help us,” Martinez said. “All this stuff about the city getting over a hump. I should’ve brought a camel in today for the Caps.”
Barry Trotz has said that Martinez texts him. Both teams clearly support each other and share the same common goal of winning it for the fans. Additionally, the Lerner family and the Leonsis family are good friends.
New Besties. #ALLCAPS#OnePursuitpic.twitter.com/cyEj20JTJa
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 9, 2018
Nicklas Bacsktrom, John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin spoke to the media after the ceremony. They needed some water to hydrate and haven’t gotten much sleep. They were out partying in Arlington the night before but it’s good to see them listening to their coach about hydrating.
Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin just did the most amusing media availability I can remember. All of them asking for water to hydrate. Backstrom and Carlson laughing at how out of it Ovi was. They haven’t gotten much sleep. “Couple naps,” Carlson said.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 9, 2018
From Martinez wearing Capitals gear at press conferences, Scherzer and Ryan Zimmerman showing their support at games and F.P. Santangelo leading a “C-A-P-S! CAPS! CAPS! CAPS!” chant on top of the bar at Clyde’s, the Nationals are ALL CAPS.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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