Jun 18, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Ryan Zimmerman gestures during the jersey retirement ceremony before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Zimmerman buys beer for Nationals fans ahead of jersey retirement

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Alex Evans | Last updated 6/18/22

Ryan Zimmerman had his number retired by the Washington Nationals prior to Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies and drinks were on him.

Nationals fans attending Saturday’s game received a card saying Zimmerman was buying their first beer before or after his jersey retirement ceremony. The promotion was taking place at The Salt Line, a restaurant across the street from Nationals Park. Zimmerman, of course, is an investor in The Salt Line.

First beer is on Ryan Zimmerman at the @thesaltline today!!! #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/BwlJzCQQtN

— Ladies of Nationals Baseball (@LONTDC1) June 18, 2022

We see you Zimm!

Ryan Zimmerman is buying fans a beer at Salt line today pic.twitter.com/qyETqI3a2N

— Olivia Garvey (@Olivia7News) June 18, 2022

The rumors are true – Ryan Zimmerman is buying everyone's first beer/seltzer at @thesaltline before or after the ceremony to retire his jersey today at the NATS game! pic.twitter.com/S5fJxwbhW8

— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) June 18, 2022

Nationals Park has a capacity of 41,313 and was sold out on Saturday. That’s a lot of potential beers for Zimmerman to buy.

Zimmerman’s No. 11 is the first number in Nationals history to be retired since the franchise moved from Montreal to Washington in 2005. He was selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2005 draft. He played all 16 of his major league seasons with the Nationals.

Ryan Zimmerman…

You were born to be a Washington National.

It’s time for you to walk-off one more time.#ThankYouZim // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/N1nDrpHsP9

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 18, 2022

The 37-year-old infielder officially retired in February as the franchise leader in most statistical categories. A two-time All-Star, Zimmerman ranks first in franchise history in home runs (284), RBIs (1,061), hits (1,846), doubles (417) and games played (1,799). He also ranks second in walks (646) and 11th in batting average (.277).

Zimmerman was part of the 2019 Nationals team that won the franchise’s first World Series title. He hit the team’s first World Series home run during a 5-4 win in Game 1, which happened to be his first World Series at-bat.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: