Zimmerman tribute a two-day celebration
One day isn’t enough.
The Washington Nationals on Wednesday announced the club will honor former star Ryan Zimmerman for two days this summer — June 17-18 on “Ryan Zimmerman Weekend.” The organization will retire Zimmerman’s No. 11 jersey and offer fan giveaways and appearances by former players.
Zimmerman, a former star at Kellam High in Virginia Beach and at the University of Virginia, retired this spring after 16 seasons with the Nationals. He was Washington’s first draft pick (No. 4 overall) and made his major league debut on Sept. 1, 2005. He finished his career with a .277 batting average and had 1,846 hits, 284 home runs and 1,061 RBIs. He helped lead Washington to its first World Series championship in 2019.
Zimmerman’s U.Va. jersey was retired in a ceremony Saturday in Charlottesville.
“Not only is Ryan ‘Mr. National,’ but he is, more importantly, a dear friend,” Nationals owner Mark D. Lerner said in a statement. “It brings me and my family so much joy to see that his No. 11 jersey is the first in Nationals history to be retired, and we’re all looking forward to welcoming Ryan, his family and friends back to the ballpark for a weekend full of celebration, memories and thanks.”
On June 17, the first 20,000 fans age 21 or older will receive an Employee #11 T-shirt, and Zimmerman and some of his former teammates will reflect on his career during a live Q&A before the game.
On June 18, Washington will retire Zimmerman’s jersey, and the first 10,000 fans age 12 and under receive a throwback Zimmerman 2006 jersey T-shirt.