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Welcome to the latest edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter. This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato. For more behind the scenes photos and videos from Washington, D.C., and on the road, follow along on Instagram and IG stories.

To describe Dee Strange-Gordon as a super utility player is an understatement. Not only is the 34-year-old veteran involved in every aspect of the game, he is making an impact off the field, too.  

“I took a break, I got a recharge,” Strange-Gordon said. “It wasn’t easy, but I did some things on the professional level outside of baseball that I never thought I could.”

Strange-Gordon turned being released by the Reds in late March 2021 into an opportunity to use his time to give back to his community. Shortly thereafter, he and his uncle founded D&D Property Groups to build affordable homes in his hometown of Avon Park, Fla. They are working toward the initial completion of 12 houses by 2024, with a goal of expanding to surrounding communities after that.

“You’re supposed to build blessings,” Strange-Gordon said. “We’re all here to help somebody else.”

In the meantime, Strange-Gordon got back into baseball and appeared in 54 Minor League games for the Brewers, Cubs and Pirates organizations last season, before he was released by Pittsburgh on Aug. 1. From then, he purchased 40 acres in Central Florida, cleared the brush with the help of his best friend and founded Black Sheep Farms.

The sprawling multipurpose land is the home to cows and donkeys -- “We’re just letting them live and be happy,” he explained -- serves as a place for Strange-Gordon to hit in the offseason and is the site of his future “barn-dominium.”  

Strange-Gordon signed a Minor League deal with Washington this past winter with two new ventures on his resume. This season, he has added Nationals do-it-all infielder/outfielder/one-time reliever/emergency catcher to the list.  

“You’ve got one life -- live,” Strange-Gordon said with a smile. “That’s it. Go have some fun. Go find out what you can do.”

PLAY BALL 

Erasmo Ramírez had heard stories from his teammates in the Minors about growing up going to Major League baseball games. Once he reached the bigs, the righty reliever from Nicaragua wanted to be part of that fan experience. Now in his 11th season, Ramírez is still seizing the opportunity. As students filled the stands of Coors Field in Denver last Thursday for the Rockies’ annual STEM Day, Ramírez tossed baseballs from pregame warmups over the netting to excited young fans.  

“It’s nice to see the kids just have fun,” Ramírez said. “They’re all going to just enjoy it, even if they don’t get [a ball].” 

TRIVIA

Who is the Nationals' single-season leader in at-bats?

A. Trea Turner  

B. Christian Guzmán  

C. Ryan Zimmerman  

D. Alfonso Soriano 

SOTO STAT CORNER

When Juan Soto collected two hits and drew a pair of walks on Thursday against the Rockies, he joined the top five list of the most games with multiple walks and multiple base hits before turning 24 years old (since at least 1901). With 17 such contests, Soto is in the elite company of Ted Williams (30), Mickey Mantle (22), Mel Ott (18) and Buddy Lewis (17).

NATS BY THE NUMBERS

No. 19, Josh Bell: “I had it in high school. I’m not quite sure [how I got it] -- I think I wanted 9 and it wasn’t available, so I went with 19. Then I kind of kept it because I liked Joey Votto in the Minor Leagues.” 

2012 THROWBACK

This season marks the 10-year anniversary of the Nationals’ first playoff team. Check back for memories and milestones from the ’12 club. 

Bryce Harper belted his first Major League home run on May 14 off Tim Stauffer in the third inning of an 8-5 win over the Padres at Nationals Park. The blast to deep center field was No. 1 of 22 in his rookie season, and it garnered a curtain call from the home crowd.  

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Wednesday, May 11: World Series cooler tote giveaway (first 20,000 fans exiting the ballpark)

• Thursday, May 12: Weather Day

• Friday, May 13: The Soultet Band at Budweiser Terrace (two hours before first pitch)

• Saturday, May 14: Nationals Youth Baseball Academy graduation in-game recognition; City Connect on-field wear date; Kids Superhero Socks giveaway (first 5,000 fans 12 & under); The Soultet Band at Budweiser Terrace (two hours before first pitch)

• Sunday, May 15: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day; Signature Sundays (vouchers provided in Section 103 on first-come, first-served basis); Kids Run the Bases; Kids Superhero Socks giveaway (first 5,000 fans 12 & under)

TRIVIA ANSWER

A. Trea Turner

Turner tallied a league-leading 664 at-bats in 2018.

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