You can’t beat this moment #StanleyCup #allcaps @WTOP pic.twitter.com/VY14jPR6yo
— Melissa Howell (@Mhowell003) June 9, 2018
The Caps MVP has arrived #ALLCAPS @WTOP pic.twitter.com/iMZktZ7Lu6
— Melissa Howell (@Mhowell003) June 9, 2018
The Stanley Cup champs are back in DC at Nationals Park to throw the first pitch! @WTOP #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Tgu5DDmhCx
— Melissa Howell (@Mhowell003) June 9, 2018
JUST A LITTLE HIGH: #Capitals Alex Ovechkin gets a second chance at throwing out the first pitch at Nationals Park pic.twitter.com/a4GH9cdCT2
— jonwarner (@jonwarnerWTOP) June 9, 2018
WASHINGTON — Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin threw Saturday’s ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals game — and then he threw the second.
The newly-minted Stanley Cup champion lobbed his first throw over the head of pitcher Max Scherzer who waited at home plate. But he got another chance and tossed it right into the waiting three-time Cy Young Award-winner’s glove.
“Too excited, too strong,” Ovechkin said. “I try to do my best.”
The Conn Smythe Trophy winner, his teammates, coaches and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis were honored at Saturday’s afternoon game where the Nationals took on the Giants.
The team got loud cheers from the crowd, which got even louder as Ovechkin, wearing a white Nationals jersey with his captain’s “C” on the front and his No. 8 on the back, hoisted the Stanley Cup above his head in the infield.
The Stanley Cup champions arrived back in Washington to a hero’s welcome Friday, and have been on tour around the city showing off their new hardware ever since.
Ovechkin said the reality of winning the championship still hasn’t set in during a Saturday press conference.
“I still can’t believe it, I think no one still can believe we did, and we are now Stanley Cup champions,” he said.
Defenseman John Carlson said his team got extra motivation during the playoff run from enthusiastic supporters in the District.
“I think we deserve it and so do the fans,” he said.
The Nationals currently sit at the top of the East division of the National League, and are expected to make a run in the playoffs.
Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom said he and his teammates will be cheering on the Nats as they make their own bid at a championship.
“We all know they have a good team too,” he said. “And we want to see them do the same journey as us.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
