Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano is joined by Washington Nationals bench coach Chris Speier as he walks out to deliver the lneup card to the umpires on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano is joined by Washington Nationals bench coach Chris Speier as he walks out to deliver the lneup card to the umpires on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano congratuates Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Sean Grimes, Secretary of the Navy sailor of the year, after Grimes threw out the ceremonial first pitch on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Sean Grimes, Secretary of the Navy sailor of the year, winds up to deliver the ceremonial first pitch on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Sean Grimes, Secretary of the Navy sailor of the year, winds up to deliver the ceremonial first pitch on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker, right, and his coaches and players stand for the national anthem on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton of the Navy Band sings the national anthem on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard marches onto the field on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
New and re-enlisting sailors take the Oath of Enlistment from Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
New sailors take the Oath of Enlistment from Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
New sailors take the Oath of Enlistment on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano talks with Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Sailors pose for a photo with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Rear Adm. Dawn E. Cutler, U.S. Navy Chief of Information, talks with soon-to-be sailor Jerico Johanson on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard drill team performs on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard drill team performs on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Soon-to-be sailors are briefed on the procedures for their swearing-in ceremony on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Washington Nationals mascot Screech stands with sailors during the playing of the national anthem on U.S. Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy was in the spotlight Wednesday as the Washington Nationals honored the service in the first of five military branch days scheduled for the 2017 season at Nationals Park.
Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Sean Grimes reaped the rewards of being named Secretary of the Navy Sailor of the Year, as he got to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Grimes said he prepared for the big event by measuring out the 60 feet, 6 inches from mound to home plate in a space at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, and tossing about 100 practice pitches.
"I don't want to end up on Sports Center," he said. "Hopefully I make it to home plate, make the Navy proud. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
He did just fine.
Other pre-game highlights included a ceremony at which 10 new sailors and three re-enlisting sailors took the Oath of Enlistment from Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley; a performance in center field by the Navy drill team; and the singing of the national anthem by Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton of the U.S. Navy Band.
The remaining branch days will honor the Army (June 12 vs. the Atlanta Braves), Marine Corps (July 25 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers), Coast Guard (August 7 vs. the Miami Marlins) and Air Force (Sunday, September 17 vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers).
The Nationals are also offering special events for the military community, and discounts for military and veterans, government employees, first responders and teachers. More details can be found here.
