Roche said the best part of the job is the extra time he gets to spend watching major league baseball players.
"The other day I called up my dad and tell him that I just saw (Philadelphia Phillies first baseman) Jim Thome, and his biceps were the size of my head," said Roche, a long-time Phillies fan.
Many Nationals players have been gracious to the new fans and said the support they get from a home-field advantage contributes to their performance, which is markedly better from when the team was playing as the Montreal Expos. Through May 13, the Nationals were a game over .500.
"It's been quite a surprise, I knew they were going to show up, but they have really been enthusiastic and educated about the game too," said Brad Schnieder, catcher for the Washington Nationals.
It is Roche's job to bring the cheers out. He said that while he loves his job, the closest calls are with drunken college-aged fans from the opposing teams.
"I almost got knocked over in the second home game," Roche explained. "Two drunk guys starting grabbing Screech and wouldn't let go, I knew I had to get Screech out of there as soon as possible."
While most of the fans are excited to see Screech, others are sometimes intimidated.
As Screech walked around the stadium during a game against the New York Mets last month, Roche noticed a small child wearing a Nationals cap. As Screech approached him, the child began to cry.
"Oh he's a nice eagle," Roche told the youngster. "Look, he likes to give high fives," Roche said as he jumped up to slap hands with the eagle. With that, the child's emotion turned for the better, and the kid ran up to give the bird a hug.
Roche said he remembered his exciting first experience meeting Philadelphia's mascot, the Philly Fanatic, who looks like a "Sesame Street" castaway. Roche said he tries to impart that enthusiasm on young fans.
"To think that I can turn a little kid into a life-long Nationals fan by taking his picture with Screech," Roche said, "that is something I really value."
"The other day I called up my dad and tell him that I just saw (Philadelphia Phillies first baseman) Jim Thome, and his biceps were the size of my head," said Roche, a long-time Phillies fan.
Many Nationals players have been gracious to the new fans and said the support they get from a home-field advantage contributes to their performance, which is markedly better from when the team was playing as the Montreal Expos. Through May 13, the Nationals were a game over .500.
"It's been quite a surprise, I knew they were going to show up, but they have really been enthusiastic and educated about the game too," said Brad Schnieder, catcher for the Washington Nationals.
It is Roche's job to bring the cheers out. He said that while he loves his job, the closest calls are with drunken college-aged fans from the opposing teams.
"I almost got knocked over in the second home game," Roche explained. "Two drunk guys starting grabbing Screech and wouldn't let go, I knew I had to get Screech out of there as soon as possible."
While most of the fans are excited to see Screech, others are sometimes intimidated.
As Screech walked around the stadium during a game against the New York Mets last month, Roche noticed a small child wearing a Nationals cap. As Screech approached him, the child began to cry.
"Oh he's a nice eagle," Roche told the youngster. "Look, he likes to give high fives," Roche said as he jumped up to slap hands with the eagle. With that, the child's emotion turned for the better, and the kid ran up to give the bird a hug.
Roche said he remembered his exciting first experience meeting Philadelphia's mascot, the Philly Fanatic, who looks like a "Sesame Street" castaway. Roche said he tries to impart that enthusiasm on young fans.
"To think that I can turn a little kid into a life-long Nationals fan by taking his picture with Screech," Roche said, "that is something I really value."
