Roger Bernadina
Encyclopedia
Rogearvin Argelo "Roger" Bernadina (born June 12, 1984 in Curaçao
, Netherlands Antilles
) is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
for the Washington Nationals
. He was signed at age 17 as a nondrafted free agent in 2001.
He was called up to the major leagues the first time on June 28, , to replace the injured Lastings Milledge
. His major league debut came the next day, and he hit a single
to right field in his first major league at bat
.
Bernadina started 2009 in the minors, but was called up on April 15, . After appearing in two games, he made his first start of the season on April 18. In the eighth inning, he "made a spectacular catch against the wall" against the Florida Marlins
but fractured his right ankle. His walkup song is "My Time" by Fabulous.
On May 12, 2010, Bernadina hit his first and second big league homers against the New York Mets. The second came in the ninth inning off of Francisco Rodriguez, giving the Nationals the lead in a game they would ultimately win. He also made a remarkable leaping catch in right field that likely robbed Met Jeff Francoeur
of a bases-clearing triple.
outfielders Willy Taveras
and Nook Logan
.
Roger Bernadina is nicknamed "The Shark" due to the way he hunts down balls in the outfield like a shark
going after its prey. Dedicated fans occasionally wear shark costumes to games.
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles , also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of two groups of islands in the Lesser Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , in Leeward Antilles just off the Venezuelan coast; and Sint...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
for the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. He was signed at age 17 as a nondrafted free agent in 2001.
He was called up to the major leagues the first time on June 28, , to replace the injured Lastings Milledge
Lastings Milledge
Lastings Darnell Milledge is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was the youngest player in the National League during the 2006 season.-Early life:Milledge was born in Bradenton, Florida...
. His major league debut came the next day, and he hit a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
to right field in his first major league at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
.
Bernadina started 2009 in the minors, but was called up on April 15, . After appearing in two games, he made his first start of the season on April 18. In the eighth inning, he "made a spectacular catch against the wall" against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
but fractured his right ankle. His walkup song is "My Time" by Fabulous.
On May 12, 2010, Bernadina hit his first and second big league homers against the New York Mets. The second came in the ninth inning off of Francisco Rodriguez, giving the Nationals the lead in a game they would ultimately win. He also made a remarkable leaping catch in right field that likely robbed Met Jeff Francoeur
Jeff Francoeur
Jeffrey Braden Francoeur , nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball right fielder who now plays for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur is known for a strong throwing arm.-Minor league career:...
of a bases-clearing triple.
Fun Facts
Many scouts have stated that Bernadina has a very similar playing style as former Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
outfielders Willy Taveras
Willy Taveras
Willy Taveras is a Major League Baseball center fielder.-Houston Astros:Taveras played in 10 games at the end of the Astros season, mostly as a pinch runner....
and Nook Logan
Nook Logan
Exavier Prente "Nook" Logan is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. He attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He made his Major League debut July 21, 2004, with the Detroit Tigers against the Kansas City Royals...
.
Roger Bernadina is nicknamed "The Shark" due to the way he hunts down balls in the outfield like a shark
Shark
Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago....
going after its prey. Dedicated fans occasionally wear shark costumes to games.
External links
- Roger "The Shark" Official Website is www.rogerbernadina.com