Capitals put MLB player Ryan Zimmerman in goal at practice
After 15 seasons with the Washington Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman is reaping the benefits that come along with being crowned a champion.
Zimmerman, who is currently a free agent but has spent his entire career with the Nats, was a welcome guest at Washington Capitals practice on Wednesday morning, swapping out his first base mitt for a goaltending glove.
Ryan Zimmerman. World Series Champion. Future...goalie? pic.twitter.com/lzDsidVcLY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2020
Zimmerman, who has played 1,689 regular season games in the MLB, got the full goalie treatment at practice. Taking part in shootout drills and the dream (or nightmare, for some goalies) come true scenario of standing in front of Alexander Ovechkin one-timers from his office at the left dot. —
TWO GOATS: Ryan Zimmerman taking one timers from Alex Ovechkin. New career for Zimm? #Capitals #ALLCAPS #Nationals @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/LMznMw4Tiw
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) January 15, 2020
Yes, that’s a little bit of leather flashing from the first baseman, who perfects the mix of sticking an arm out while every instinct in his body tells him to get out of the way for his own well-being.
Zim ended up getting the “win” in the shootout drill for his team (on a blue line slapper, but they all count), and was greeted at centre ice with the classic stick tap salute from his temporary Caps teammates.
After practice, he was excited by the experience but a change in career path is probably not in the cards for the 35-year-old.
Zim’s final thoughts on his goalie experience today pic.twitter.com/ZMlPCdfLOV
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2020
“What a great experience. Terrifying, but fun. Glad I did it, I’ll never do it again,” Zimmerman said to the Capitals twitter account.
Now that he has crossed the boundary and taken some shots on the ice, it is only fair that we see how Ovi fares in the batter’s box against Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg.
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