On Sunday, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood etched his name into Major League Baseball’s history books with a feat not seen in nearly two decades.
Facing the Los Angeles Angels, Wood was intentionally walked four times in a single game—a rare occurrence last accomplished by none other than Barry Bonds in 2004.
This kind of achievement says a lot about the fear Wood inspires in pitchers around the league.
With an impressive stat line and constant comparisons to Nationals icons, Wood’s already making waves that could pull Washington’s franchise into a brighter future.
James Wood’s Record-Setting Performance Against the Angels
In a wild, 11-inning battle, James Wood showed exactly why he’s the hitter teams least want to face in the Nationals’ lineup.
The Angels basically refused to let him swing, giving him four intentional walks across six plate appearances.
The last time a player got that treatment? Barry Bonds, back in his prime in 2004.
Bonds was a lightning rod in baseball—pitchers respected him, but they were also terrified to throw to him.
A Rare Club of Baseball Greats
Wood’s performance puts him in a pretty exclusive group.
Since 1955, only a handful of players—Roger Maris, Hall of Famer Andre Dawson, Garry Templeton, Manny Ramirez—have earned four or more intentional walks in a single game.
Being on that list, especially this early in his career, says a lot about how much respect Wood already commands.
A Clutch Contributor in a Nationals Victory
Even though he walked four times, Wood didn’t just stand around waiting for a free pass.
He went 1-for-2, swiped a base, and kept the Angels’ defense on their toes.
His presence helped the Nationals grab a 7-4 win over the Angels in extra innings.
That’s a big deal for a team still searching for consistent success in the wake of their World Series run.
Wood’s 2024 Campaign: Emerging as a Franchise Cornerstone
Since debuting in 2024, James Wood has become a beacon of hope for Nationals fans hungry for a playoff push.
Through his first 162 games, he’s averaged 31 home runs, 105 RBIs, a .274 batting average, and a strong .863 OPS.
With that kind of production, he’s already in the conversation as one of the league’s best young players.
He’s got power, speed, and plate discipline—a rare mix that’s drawn comparisons to Juan Soto and Bryce Harper.
Wood doesn’t let the hype get to him, though.
He admits he’s still got plenty to learn and a long way to go before he’s on the same level as Soto or Harper.
The Rebuilding Nationals: Signs of Optimism
Washington’s 7-4 win over the Angels bumped their record to 35-49—a small step forward in a tough rebuild.
They haven’t had a winning season since that magical 2019 World Series run.
Since then, star players have moved on, and the Nationals have doubled down on developing guys like James Wood.
Wood’s Value: Dominating Wins Above Replacement
One stat really jumps out: Wood leads the team with a 3.9 WAR.
That number sums up his all-around value and shows just how much he means to the Nationals right now.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for James Wood?
As the 2024 season moves into its second half, all eyes are glued to James Wood. Can he really keep up this pace and become one of MLB’s top players?
And hey, maybe even more important—can his performance help spark Washington’s return to postseason contention? Opposing pitchers definitely respect him, especially after Sunday’s wild game.
Wood’s got this rare mix of humility, talent, and just pure production. That’s exactly what the Nationals need if they want to claw their way back among the league’s best.
For Nationals fans who’ve been waiting (and waiting), James Wood feels like hope and excitement rolled into one. He joins these exclusive statistical clubs, but he never loses sight of the team. That says a lot about his mindset—and his talent, honestly.
Keep an eye on this rising star. Sunday’s historic game? It might just be the start of something way bigger.
Here is the source article for this story: Nationals’ James Wood becomes 1st player to receive 4 intentional walks since Barry Bonds
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