There from the start for Nationals, Zimmerman in 1st Series

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bottle of beer in hand, Ryan Zimmerman stood alone in the Nationals Park home clubhouse for a few moments, taking in the scene while his teammates celebrated reaching Washington's first World Series since 1933.

Eventually, someone threw an arm around the 35-year-old Zimmerman's shoulders and ushered him back into the fray, where he joined others in chugging alcohol out of the NL Championship Series trophy after completing a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. Only fitting that the long-time "face of the franchise" would be right in the middle of things for the club's biggest moment since it arrived in the nation's capital from Montreal.

"I've seen him tear up a couple times, already. Just getting past the first round, and now that we're on to the World Series," shortstop Trea Turner said amid the frivolity Tuesday night, talking about the first guy ever drafted by the Nationals in 2005 and the only player to wear their uniform in each and every one of their 15 seasons (even once when the word across the chest read "Natinals").

"He's put his heart and soul into this organization," Turner said. "He sacrificed a lot. And he's given this organization a lot. For me, that speaks a lot about him and his family. I can't say enough nice things about him, because he's a good person and a great ballplayer. I love watching him bat in this order and drive in runs for us and be a part of this run."

When the Fall Classic begins next week in either Houston or New York — the Astros lead the Yankees 2-1 in the AL Championship Series, with Game 4 postponed from Wednesday until Thursday because of rain in the forecast — expect Zimmerman to be in Washington's starting lineup, hitting sixth or so in the batting order and manning first base.

On the long path to get there, he's set Expos-Nationals franchise...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/There-from-the-start-for-Nationals-Zimmerman-in-14539530.php