2013 is the first year I’ve followed baseball since the ’90s. Up all one April night with bronchitis, I was channel-surfing and came across Japan and Chinese Taipei (i.e. Taiwan) playing in the World Baseball Classic in the wee hours of the morning. I was hooked.
I soon discovered that TBS no longer broadcasts every Atlanta Braves game, and the Braves were usually blacked out on ESPN.
I had to find a new team to follow. Luckily, I found MASN and soon became an avid fan of the Washington Nationals. I attended one game in person and watched every game I could on television. Keeping in mind that both my birthday and Christmas are coming up, I have compiled the ultimate gift guide for Nationals fans … myself chief among them.
1. Season Tickets
Season tickets are any fan’s dream, although driving distance to Nationals Park and affordability would certainly come into play. The $24,600 seats behind home plate might be a little too much to hope for, but I’d still flip if I found the $820 nosebleed section tickets in my stocking this Christmas.
2. Davey Johnson Autographed Baseball
Yes, it’s from Davey’s time with the Baltimore Orioles, but 2013 was Davey’s last season managing the Nationals. He’s retiring to a consultant’s office. There will probably be fewer opportunities to get Davey’s autograph now, and he was a great manager, no matter the team.
3. Official On-Field Cap
Just as Magnum, P.I. was seldom seen without his Detroit Tigers hat, what Nationals fan wouldn’t love to sport his team’s official on-field cap?
4. Nationals Toboggan
When you’ve got a bald head like me, nothing feels better than slipping on a toasty toboggan on a frosty morning. A Nationals toboggan would make the perfect gift for that follicly challenged fan in your life.
5. Training Camp Watch
This colorful, water resistant timepiece features a stop watch, backlight, dual alarm, and a calendar to make it easier counting down to opening day!
6. Executive Watch
This handsome timepiece by Game Time is perfect for the Nationals fan who finds himself in a more formal setting.
7. Topps 2013 Baseball Card Team Set
No baseball card collection is complete without a team set, and the Nationals set comes with six packs of Topps opening day cards.
8. Stainless Steel Flask
Pretty sneaky, but if you find yourself at the ballpark and just can’t see your way to paying $8.00 for a beer…
9. Nationals Jacket
This time of year, when the nights are crisp and the days are mild, your Nationals fan would appreciate a nice, warm jacket to go with the official cap or toboggan!
10. Nationals Toaster
Finally, for the fan who has everything, a Washington Nationals toaster! Tailgating and viewing parties will take on another dimension when you serve sandwiches sporting the team logo!
These are gifts I feel any Nationals fan would love to find under the tree or receive for a birthday. I know I would!
