Well, it?s 2008 and the start of a new year.  And what does the first week of 2008 bring?   Cold weather and then warm spring like temperatures!!  It feels like baseball is right around the corner!!!  The season can?t get here soon enough!

It?s also been a little over 5 months since my last post!  It?s been a whirlwind 4 and half months and suddenly, it is winter, and Spring Training is only a few months away.  But it?s been far too long since I?ve let you know what?s going on here in my life, so lets get to it!

I?ve been one busy eagle over the past few months, as after the All Star Break and throughout August and September we had baseball to play.  The fans were so much fun and for everyone, it was sad to see the season end, and with it, baseball at RFK Stadium.  I?m sure going to miss that place!

But what better way to go out in style then having me fly in to deliver the shovel to the Lerner Family to dig up home plate with Manny Acta! 

And I can?t wait until opening day 2008 as we open new Nationals Park here in DC.  I?ve been stopping by every so often to make sure everything is going well, and now that the grass has been laid down, it looks ready for a game!  You can still buy your season tickets @ nationals.com so you can join in the fun.  There?s only a few months left before it opens, and it?s going to be one awesome place!  And, my nest is oh-so comfy!

But now the season is done and I miss baseball?  I?ve been keeping busy by flying around the DC area to see Nationals fans and take part in some fun events.  I?ve been helping out the federal government with the Combined Federal Campaign, visiting the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy and other offices!  I?ve also been to a few youngsters? birthday parties and help celebrate the wedding of two big Nationals fans in VA?.I even got a dance with the bride, who was so surprised to see me there!

Well, it?s time to celebrate 2008 with the Presidents, who just one an award?Gameops.com voted them the Best In-Game Promotion of 2007, and it went straight to their heads?.hehehe, a little mascot humor!  And check out nationals.com to see where I’ll be over the next few weeks with our awesome Winter Tour with players, Manager Manny Acta and more to get fans excited for 2008!  I?ll be back here in a little while to keep you up to date on all the fun, and feel free to write me @ screech@nationals.com!!!

Screech!

You?re probably thinking, ?Geeeeee, Screech got lazy and hasn?t been posting on his blog lately?? And to that I?d say no way jose! I?ve been very very busy since my last post right before the All Star Game, and I just have not had a chance to sit down and put something up for you all!
First, let?s go back a few weeks to the end of the series vs the Brewers. The All Star Game was coming up on July 11th and I was ready to fly west, but only after we finished our series on Sunday. Right after the 7th inning stretch, the Nat Pack helped me pack up my blue suitcase and I flew off the dugout, off to head west to meet all my friends in San Fran.

A few hours later I was on the ground, and the fun didn?t stop! I spent one day over at DHL Fan Fest (sadly, I missed the Mascot Home Run Derby a few days earlier, which TC won, and I didn?t get to make up for my poor, poor 2005 showing?I was a new eagle at the time!). I greeted tons of fans from all over the world and even saw some Hall of Famers during the day. I then flew over to the real home run derby at AT&T Park and got a chance to see the entire park, as well as see the field?.from the field. We all got a chance to jump around on the dugouts and then got a great picture of us fur balls in centerfield thanks to hometown fav Lou Seal.

From there it was a bit of relaxation, but then back to the fun as I helped open a new Boys and Girls Club with Willie Mays!!! Then, off to the Pre-Game Party where I took more pictures, danced to Macy Gray and tried some exotic foods?this eagle learned he doesn?t like shrimp. Sadly, no gummy worms were on the menu.

After that, we all got a chance to enjoy a game as a fan, and it was a treat. The game was great, and my buddy D Young was there for the Nationals! I cheered really loud from my seats in left field for him, but once again the NL lost?..and boy, did the AL Mascots rub it in! Next year is our year in NYC, the big apple!

After the trip to San Fran (and yes, I rode a cable car and toured the Golden Gate bridge), it was back to fun times in DC with our series against the Astros and Rockies, and what a series it was, with our boys going 5-2 at home!! I also got a chance to greet fans during the morning around DC as 2008 season tickets went on sale for our new park!! Get yours today!!! After that homestand, it was time for a little R and R for this eagle. I spent some time with Teddy at the National Martime Intelligence Center?s family day, cleaned up my nest, and caught a little DC United soccer to. And to cap it off, I hung out with Pax this past Saturday at the WNBA?s Mystics game?.he?s such a fun panda. But we play 3 games against the Reds, so I?m headed back to the field to help the groundskeepers get the field ready, and maybe a short nap..I?m beat! Until next time, go Nats!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Nats fans!  It?s been a few weeks since my last post, but I haven?t had a chance to get to my computer as I?ve been one busy eagle these past few weeks.  Since my last post we?ve swept the Orioles at Camden Yards, finished off interleague play and I got to slam some cupcakes and cakes in the faces of opposing fans!  Don?t worry, I ordered extra cake so I could have some after the game.

Outside of all the games, I got to travel down to the great state of Texas to visit with my friend Rangers Captain for a mascot party.  My friends Bernie Brewer, Ace, Dinger and Mariner Moose all joined me in Arlington for a few games, some fun and even a music video, which I hope I can post soon.  It was fun to be in a different ballpark, see some fans, hang out with my friends in fur and have some fun!  We got to travel around in style, see the sights, and sing Deep in the Heart of Texas!  And the best part was there were a few Nationals fans at the games who loved seeing me and the crowd went nuts for my trademark split when I was dancing on the dugout.

But I have to cut this post short as my gummy worms are ready and I?ve got to take the field for tonight?s game?and then pack for my big trip out west to San Francisco for the All Star Game!!!!!!  I?ll try and post from the west coast (hey, that rhymes!) and fill you in on all the fun and adventures that I have at the game, Fan Fest and with all my major league friends?..until next time, GO NATS!!!!!

Hey hey Nats fans!  Spring is warming up, which means summer is right around the corner?.and we?re already a good ways into the 2007 season!  It?s been great having the team back in DC, and they?re playing great too!  I?m having so much fun seeing many of my fans, friends and kids around the park, and I?m glad everyone is so excited to be at a game.  And just so you know, I love two things?signing autographs and taking pictures, so don?t ever be afraid to stop by and say hello?.just be aware I may try and take your food. 

And I want to remind all you young Nats fans to sign up for the Jr. Nats Club online at nationals.com!  We have a lot of great deals for you and it?s a lot of fun to be a member?I wish I could join, but they tell me since I work for the team, I can?t.  Oh well, I?ll just hang out with all you members in the mean time!

So, as many of you noticed (thanks for the cards, gummy worms and gifts), I turned 2 years old this past April, and I felt it was time to go through the old mail bag of fan e-mails and letters to answer some of your questions:

Q: What do you do when the team is on the road?
A: Well, I get to have fun!  The Nat Pack, Clint and myself go out and see the town, filming videos for the scoreboard, hang out at the ESPN Zone (I love the virtual reality pitching cage!) for Nat Pack Nights and Viewing Parties and cheer on the team.  Sometimes the Racing Presidents and I just hit the town for some fun and hand out free stuff, which people seem to enjoy;)  But I spend most of my time catching up on sleep, watching the games on TV and on the radio and helping take care of RFK.  The grounds crew let?s me play around on the grass, and I get a great seat for DC United soccer games thanks to my buddy Talon!

Q: What?s your favorite part of being the team mascot?
A: The fact that I not only get to cheer on the team and play around on the field, but seeing all the happy fans in the crowd and making you laugh!  Everybody loves having fun, and I?m glad I get to be a part if it.

Q: What size jersey do you wear?
A: It?s an XXXXL?.the clubhouse has to specialty order it for me so it fits just right.

Q: Who is your favorite mascot friend?
A: My favorite, wow?I don?t know who to pick!  I love getting together with my other Major League Baseball friends for birthday parties, special events and our big ?family reunion?, the All Star Game?I get to fly out to San Francisco this year!  I also love exploring DC with Talon from DC United, Slapshot from the Caps and GWiz from the Wizards?..he?s teaching me how to dunk!

Q: Are you excited to move your nest to the new stadium next year?
A: Yes I am!  I really love RFK?hey, I was hatched here!……but I got a chance to tour the new stadium the other week for a kids day at the park and it looks fantastic!  They showed me all the design plans, took me through the construction site (they had to get a big hard hat for me) and showed me where my next will be next year, and it?s going to be so much fun.  I can?t wait to see the stadium progress and all the new additions that will be there!

Well, that?s all the time I?ve got as we have a game against the Braves so I have to go help the Presidents get ready for the game?.maybe Teddy will finally win one!

And feel free to e-mail me at screech@nationals.com with pictures, questions or fan mail!  Until next time, go Nats!!!!

There’s nothing like baseball being back! It’s been a whirlwind week here for this young eagle as we opened up the 2007 season with a bang at RFK Stadium, our third year in the city and the last season at RFK! I’m going to miss calling RFK home and flying around the park, but the team’s new stadium is looking really nice…..the perfect place to build a new nest next season.
This opening homestand was great, with over 40,000 fans coming out to Opening Day and the great weather, and the free Tickets.com hats! I saw many old friends, and met a lot of new faces at the park and its sure going to be a great season. A fan even gave me copies of my own limited edition Topps baseball card for my nest……not many 2 year old eagles that can say that!

And I wasn’t the only one in flight that day as Teddy decided that all his off-season training wasn’t worth it and tried to win the Presidents Race by zip-lining in to the finish line. Too bad I had to disqualify him for illegal use of a zip line! I’m going to make sure he gets back on that treadmill and loses a few pounds (like I’m one to talk!).

And as if the 7 games were amazing to start the season, this eagle got to get up close and personal with the best house in the countryâ?¦the White House. I took my Presidential friends over to the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House to play with all the kids and join in the fun. We had our pictures taken with just about everyone there, and I saw the First Lady and many Cabinet members. Check them out in the Fan Forum! Sadly, I wasn’t allowed inside the actual White House, despite the fact that I was with four former Presidents! Also, they have a no 6 foot eagle policy too!

I’m looking forward to keeping you all up to date with what’s going on with me here in my blog, and keep sending me your questions and fan mail to screech@nationals.com! Go Nats!!!!!

The sweet smell of fresh grass, the crack of the bat, and getting a tan?..all sights and sounds of Spring Training!  I can?t believe it?s time to start another season here in DC and with the team in Florida, you know it?s right around the corner.  While our Nationals get set for an exciting 2007 season down in Viera, Florida, your fluffy eagle here has been living it up in DC!  I?ve been flying all over the area for a lot of events with fans, and even got to help two younger fans celebrate their birthdays?.they had some of the best cake and ice cream, but I?ve got to watch my weight;) 

But when I?m not entertaining fans this month, I?ve been preparing for the season myself.  I?ve been working with the Nat Pack on some new fun stuff for the upcoming games, have been training with the Presidents for this year?s races (Teddy did an extended program with the team in Florida) and have been practicing my driving skills in the Safeway truck for the T-shirt launch!  It?s March already, so I?ve got only a few short weeks before our first game against those Orioles here at RFK (we?ll see if my fine feathered friend the Orioles Bird dares to come down!) and then Opening Day.  I?ll have more for you in a few weeks, so keep your eyes on the blog and let?s go Nats!

Always online: screech@nationals.com!!!!! 

Well, what a whirlwind January it was, and a great start to 2007!  Your big eagle here got a chance to meet and greet the Nationals faithful and some of the best fans in MLB when I got to travel with centerfielder Nook Logan, pitcher Mike O?Connor and 3rd baseman Ryan Zimmerman and new manager Manny Acta on the Winter Caravan.  It was great to see so many fans young and old out at all the different events.  I got to entertain the kids of Kimball Elementary School as we announced our school adoption program, sign some autographs at the Washington Square Team store, visit some great kids at Children?s Medical Center and hand out some great Nats gear, and watch the players cook up some delicious food at the ESPN Zone.  Mike, Ryan and Nook were great to hang out with, but they wouldn?t let me eat any of the food?.Manny said I had to go on a diet and get ready for the season!  It was great getting to see all you wonderful fans, and it?s great to know Spring Training and the 2007 season is almost here!

I also got to play with some of the best cars at the Washington Auto Show for a few days.  I saw a lot of Nationals gear out at the event, and even got a chance to take some pictures with fans.  It was a lot of fun to play around in some fun, expensive cars, but sadly they wouldn?t let me take the Hummer back to my nest?

Finally, I got to play in some SNOW!  I got a chance to help the grounds crew clean the field and play in the snow that came to DC earlier this week.  With all the cold weather, I just keep waiting for Spring Training which is right around the corner!  I?ll be flying around DC over these next couple weeks, so feel free to send an e-mail to me at my nest @ screech@nationals.com!  Until next time, GO NATS!

So, it?s been a little over a month since I last posted, and I feel bad?.but I?m one busy eagle!!! Between Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season, this big bird has been flying all over the DC area, and has been eating a lot
Since my last post, I?ve been to a rehearsal dinner, the American Diabetes Walk and a few birthday parties in between. I also headed out with my President friends, Abe and George, to open the new Nationals Team Store at White Flint Mall, and have been seen holiday shopping downtown at the Nationals Team Store at Washington Square as well (although, it?s hard to find XXXXXL shirts for my extra-fluffy mascot friends).

But my favorite thing about this time of year is spreading holiday cheer! I flew my way over to the National Rehabilitation Hospital last week with Ryan Zimmerman and Brian Schneider to visit with the kids there and hand out some holiday gifts. There?s nothing better for this eagle than seeing smiles on kids? faces. We handed out hats, Mr. Washington Teddy Bears and other gear to fans young and old, and took a lot of pictures, which I?ll share soon! Ryan even said I was the fan favorite that day! I?ll also flew to Children?s Hospital tomorrow to hang out with Santa and hand out some more gifts this holiday season.

But Hanukkah?s here and Christmas and New Year?s are coming up soon, and I?m looking forward to some fun times here in DC?I got to head down to the White House to help light the National Christmas Tree this year again!! Pretty cool I get to head over to the President?s House! I?m just going to spend this holiday relaxing, opening gifts (The Nat Pack got me my own copy of MLB2K6 on Xbox and 10 lbs of gummy worms) and reading my e-mail and holiday cards! I?ll be back with more stories and fun in January, but until then, feel free to write me @ screech@nationals.com and Happy Holidays!!

Hey Nats fans out there in the computer world, this is your best buddy Screech and I finally got a hold of my very own blog!  The folks at the Nationals and MLB are kind enough to give me this space, and the Nat Pack let me use their office (since the nest is without a computer, but has a big TV!), so I thought it was about time I get something going!

It was an awesome year at RFK for me and the team this year…..here’s just a sample of some of the amazing things that happened this past season!!

~I got my new red alternate jersey (size XXXXXL is what the tag says)
~I celebrated my first birthday (1 eagle year equals 5 human years)
~I had my own End of Summer Party with my very own bobblebelly!  Check out my pals Mr. Met, Ace and The Orioles Bird at my party
~And I got to go to Camden Yards for the interleague games vs the Orioles.  I had plenty of Nats fans there to cheer me on!
~I went to the All Star Game for the second time, and it was in Pittsburgh!  I got to hang out on the Mascot Cruise with Slider from the Indians, Baxter from the Diamondbacks and Southpaw from the White Sox (gotta ask him to show you his ring) and play on the dugouts and work the Pre-Game Party and watch the game!
~Alfonso Soriano just ran ran ran and made it into the 40-40 Club…the owners gave him a nice big shiny trophy too!
~Ryan Zimmerman was AWESOME, and hit that big home run against the Yankees!
~The Lerner Family opened up the stadium with Paint the Town Red and welcomed fans, who loved it!  So many red t shirts, towels and curly W hats, it was awesome!!
~I stayed up to watch the Phillies and my boys play late late late at night, and despite the yells from Phillies fans, had a great time with the fans well past my bed time, even after midnight!!
~I flew down to Tampa Bay in sunny Florida to hang out with Rangers Captain from Texas, Dinger from the Rockies and Ace from Toronto at my big blue buddy Raymond’s Mascot Mania…check it out (and check out his blog when you can!)

And that’s only a bit of it!  But, since it’s the off season and I’ve got no games to cheer at, people always wonder what a giant 6 foot eagle like me does with his spare time. Well, since I have this fun blog, I hope to share with you all what I’m up to during the winter months and as we gear up for Spring Training and the 2007 season!  So far, I’ve been at over 20 events since the season ended, and just got back from a trip to Mexico City for Majestic (they make jerseys), New Era (they make hats) and Major League Baseball (who make…..baseball!) with Dinger!!  I’ll tell you more about that later this week!

But when I’m not in my nest, I’m flying around the DC area making appearances, having fun and enjoying finding out more about this nation’s capitol.  I’ll post pictures, fill you in on what’s going on at the stadium, and perhaps even answer your questions!  Just drop me a line at screech@nationals.com (I got an e-mail address too!) and I’ll answer your questions and maybe put some of them up here!  But now, I’ve got to get back to my bag of gummy worms and get some sleep….I got invited to a Nationals fan’s wedding this Friday, so I have to get my beauty rest!  Until next time!