Virginia

Nats Player Zimmerman Meets Another DC Icon: News4's Pat Collins

“I felt like a little kid getting an autograph from a big-time baseball player. It took years off my life, in a good way"

One thing on Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman’s wish list is to win the World Series.

Another was to meet News4's Pat Collins — which he was able to achieve Wednesday before the second game of the Series.

Zimmerman got a photo with Collins before the game, and Collins got the baseball star to sign his big, white cowboy hat emblazoned with a Curly W. 

Before the game, Zimmerman strode up to Collins with a smile, hand extended. He said his wife was a fan of Collins and a lifelong News4 viewer. 

"When I first came [to D.C.], she said, 'You've gotta see this guy.' So when I saw you yesterday, I was like, 'Heather, you're never gonna imagine who I saw,'" Zimmerman recalled. 

His wife insisted that he get a photo with Collins. 

The two D.C. icons took a photo together, and Zimmerman was kind enough to sign Collins' big hat. 

“Tell your wife she has very good taste — she likes me and she married you.” Collins joked. 

The News4 reporter said later that he was delighted to meet Zimmerman. 

“I felt like a little kid getting an autograph from a big-time baseball player. It took years off my life, in a good way,” he said. 

On Twitter, Heather Zimmerman said she envied her spouse. 

“Things that make me jealous of my husband’s career,” she wrote. 

Contact Us