The Washington Nationals officially welcomed the newest member of the organization to Nationals Park this week. And while he’s young and sure to garner thousands — if not millions of fans, he’s not exactly the typical five-tool prospect the team calls up from the minor leagues. That’s because the new addition isn’t a person: it’s a doggo. And he already appears to be the goodest boy.
Natty, an 8-week-old Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever mix, was announced to be the Nationals’ first-ever official team dog on Monday.
An important fact about Natty is that “i am three baseballs tall.”
Natty will make his Major League debut on Friday, May 15, where he will appear in front of an adoring public for the first time against the Baltimore Orioles.
Coincidentally, Natty’s first game will be Hot Dog Day at Nationals Park, where the first 20,000 fans will receive hats that say Bad Day To Be A Hot Dog on the front. Franks will be sold for $5 each all night.
“We are excited to be part of this puppy’s impactful journey to becoming a service dog, and we know our team, fans, community, and ballpark will offer a wonderful training environment,” Jason Sinnarajah, the Nationals’ president of business operations, said in a release.
Born on March 5, 2026, and hailing from Northern California (it explains the blonde) near Lake Tahoe, Natty first flew to Washington, DC, on May 4, where he met his new puppy raisers, Jackie and Laura. Natty, not to be confused with the adult beverage of choice for Orioles fans, will live in Northern Virginia over the next 18 months or so before leaving for his professional service training, where he will be eventually paired with a person with a disability — if all goes well.
When he’s at the ballpark, Natty will meet with players and fans, which will in turn help his social skills as he prepares to dedicate his life to helping others. So, with the handlers’ permission, head rubs and adoring shrieks of affection will only just help him mature for his very important job in the future.
Natty got his name from a fan vote, which somehow did not result in a puntastic moniker like Stephen Pawsburg, Bark Scherzer, Bryce Howler, Juan Pawto, and Pawtrick Corbin — THEY WERE RIGHT THERE, PEOPLE.
While the Nationals have held many “Pups in the Park” events in the past, Natty is the first puppy to officially be part of the Washington Nationals’ roster.
The adorable pupper is one of six siblings who will be trained to be professional service dogs.
Natty, we pawsitively cannot wait to meet you in real life.
