The Washington Nationals’ home opener is set for April 2 against the New York Mets, and it’s slated to be a huge event for fans in attendance, who will get to see the raising of the first championship banner in Nats franchise history.
While several faces that made up the Nationals World Series-winning roster will not be returning for the 2020 season, Gerardo Parra has expressed his desire to make the trip from Japan for the home opener to throw out the first pitch.
“I want to throw the first pitch,” Parra said to NBC Sports Washington in an exclusive interview. “I’m working, but it’s not in my hands. I want to talk to the Japan team, but like I say, I don’t want to say no because you never know.”
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Parra has been widely credited as being the catalyst in turning the Nationals’ season around through his walk-up song, Baby Shark. It became an anthem and icon to rally around, for the team and fans alike, and followed the Nationals all the way through to their World Series win.
Parra signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan, so the logistics may prove to be difficult to work out. But having Parra return to throw out the first pitch at home of the Nationals 2020 season feels like the perfect way to see that journey come full-circle.
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Headline photo: Ian Oland
