Washington Nationals: filling the All-Time Nats roster

VARIOUS CITIES, - MARCH 12: A general view of FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches during a Grapefruit League spring training game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees on March 12, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The MLB suspended the remaining spring training games due to the ongoing threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez finished his career in a Washington Nationals uniform.

(Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images) /

The Battery-mates

Ivan Rodriguez and Robert Fick

We already dismissed Miguel Montero from the team but there is another catcher I’d like to give a shout out to. Jamie Burke won’t make this team either, but he was an important emergency catcher on the 2009 Washington Nationals team. With two weeks left in the season, the Nats needed a catcher. All their guys were hurt, and they had little depth in the minors. They purchased the contract of Burke from the Seattle Mariners and he came in to have one hit in ten at-bats to end the season. He signed a minor league contract with the team in the offseason though at 38 those old legs had seen enough. Hats off to Jaimie Burke.

Ivan Rodriguez wanted to pad his Hall of Fame stats and the Washington Nationals wanted to say they employed a future Hall of Famer. Those are the only reasons I can gather this hookup was made. He did serve as a mentor to a young Wilson Ramos, but by 2010, Pudge’s 38-year-old legs had had enough as well. He inched closer to the 3000 hit mark and distanced himself a little from the 300 home run mark. Rodriguez also put an extra $6M in his pocket.

Robert Fick had a couple of decent years with the Detroit Tigers, even garnering an All-Star selection as well. By the time he reached the Washington Nationals in 2006, he was mainly a first baseman/outfielder. He did catch 26 games for the Nats, therefore, he fits on our team nicely. He provided solid defense and almost no offense but was cheap and that is what the early Nationals teams were looking for.

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