Gerardo Parra leaned in toward the camera and adjusted his headband. A few tugs later, it lay just right, displaying … a shark.
After playing for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan last season, the 2019 World Series champion fan favorite is back with the Nationals in Spring Training, vying for a roster spot as a non-roster invitee. Though he was thousands of miles away in a different country, Parra never felt far from the Nats.
“I don't think those are my teammates,” Parra said over Zoom on Friday. “We're close like a family.”
Parra was welcomed back with open arms when he rejoined his former teammates in West Palm Beach, Fla. This spring, he is a candidate to be an outfielder, first baseman or pinch-hitter on the 2021 squad. The 33-year-old is working his way back from undergoing right knee surgery nearly four months ago, and he is feeling 70-80 percent healthy.
“We still believe that he can play and help us win games,” manager Dave Martinez said. “We’re trying to get him healthy right now. … As soon as we get him on the field and get him some games, we’re going to give him every opportunity to play. He was such an influence in our roster in 2019. But with that being said, the reason why he’s here is because we feel like his veteran presence, the way he goes about his business, he’s always pleasant to be around, but also he could still play.”
Last season, Parra slashed .272/.309/.379 with four home runs over 178 plate appearances in Japan. The previous year, he hit .250/.300/.447 for Washington. Parra made his mark with more than just his numbers -- his “Baby Shark” walk-up music became an anthem for the Nationals’ historic title run. The team even engraved a shark inside their championship rings, and Yomiuri Giants fans embraced it, too.
“I think it was a surprise for everybody,” Parra said of the song’s impact. “They do it everywhere. I think it’s around the world.”
There is competition in the outfield, including returning backups Andrew Stevenson and Yadiel Hernández, but Parra isn’t feeling pressure. He emphasized that he is happy to be back with the Nationals, the group whose games he watched on his phone when the time difference allowed and kept in touch with during their season apart.
“The return was great,” said center fielder Victor Robles. “I think everybody is very excited to have him back.”