Fans Applaud Soriano, Who Then Thanks His Manager

All of Sunday's goodbyes at RFK Stadium were not reserved for outgoing manager Frank Robinson. Before the top of the fourth inning, left fielder Alfonso Soriano -- soon to be a free agent -- was allowed to jog out to his position, only to be replaced so that he could make a proper exit to a round of warm applause. Soriano doffed his cap to the crowd as he entered the dugout, in what was perhaps the last glimpse of him in a Nationals' uniform.

Soriano, who this season became the fourth player in history with at least 40 homers and 40 stolen bases, said he and his agent will meet with team officials on Wednesday, in perhaps the first informal negotiations for a new contract. However, many executives throughout the game believe Soriano will command a price that is out of the Nationals' range.

"I'm not worrying about [free agency and contract negotiations] right now," Soriano said after the game. "This was the last game here for Frank. I'm not thinking about what is happening with me."

Soriano lined out and popped out in his only two at-bats Sunday and finished the season in the midst of an 0-for-19 slump that dropped his final batting average to .277, down from a second-half peak of .295 in late August. But he also set career highs in home runs (46), walks (67), on-base average (.352) and slugging percentage (.561).

"The most important thing for me is that I finish my season healthy," Soriano said.

A fan favorite who is easily the most dynamic and talented player in the Nationals' two seasons in Washington, Soriano was greeted yesterday by a banner hanging over a railing in the upper deck behind home plate, reading, "Steal 2nd. Steal 3rd. Just stay home. D.C. [hearts] Soriano."

Soriano, who initially bristled over the trade last December that sent him from the Texas Rangers to the Nationals, built a mutually respectful relationship with Robinson, and when Robinson greeted him with a hug in the clubhouse after the game, Soriano whispered in his ear, "Thank you for everything."

Zimmerman 'Happy' With Year

Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, a leading candidate for National League rookie of the year honors, also was removed from the game before the fifth inning, concluding a stellar season in which he hit .287 with 20 homers and 110 RBI.

"I'm happy with it," Zimmerman said. "I had nothing to expect in my first full year. I learned a lot this year. It was tough. There were some tough times -- but that was expected. But my teammates, and especially Frank, didn't let me get down on myself."