Ryan Zimmerman is not a young Cal Ripken. As of now, Zimmerman’s career path will not land him in Cooperstown. But in terms of his value to the Nationals, he is their version of Ripken, which is why it’s good for the franchise that he’ll stick around another eight or nine years.
Ever since he arrived in Washington, Zimmerman has served as a mature voice in the clubhouse and a face of the franchise. He was the go-to guy for the media when he was 23 years old, never ducking his responsibility during some bleak periods.
Did you see the press conference announcing his extension? Sixteen teammates attended. That doesn’t happen often, but these players appreciate what he adds and means to the team. If there’s a big ego, Zimmerman hides it well. He is Mr. Nat. By the time Zimmerman’s done with this contract and he’s 35, an entire generation of Nats fans will grow up knowing that maybe he wasn’t their top player all the time but perhaps he was their most important.
– John Keim
