A Nationals Holiday

"THIS SURE BEATS a plain old Mother's Day card," says Nationals pitcher John Patterson (right), and he's right. He's talking about a trading card that pictures him as a Texas high schooler next to his mother, Cheryl. The Pattersons (above) are one of nine mother-player pairs the Nats are featuring in a set of Upper Deck trading cards that the team will give out to fans who attend their Mother's Day game against the Marlins.

THE PROMOTION IS a follow-up to a similar Father's Day giveaway last June. On each card, along with the player's statistics, is a memory from Mama. Chad Cordero (third from top) is pictured as a baby in the arms of his mother, Patricia (left), who recalls of the Washington closer, "When he learned to walk he made a broom, spatula, fly swatter, just about anything into a bat."

THE NATIONALS WILL also fly in each featured mom for the game; they'll be presented with jerseys before the game. Catcher Brian Schneider (left, and top right) says that when it comes to feting, his mom, Karen, is easy to please: "[She] liked the gift in second grade that was made out of macaroni noodles," he says. Still he and outfielder Nook Logan are thrilled that their mothers are getting a day in the sun. "Moms like this type of stuff," says Logan, posing with Glenda (right). "Other mothers will be comparing their flowers, and candy. Mine is going to be on a collector's item."

The Pop Culture Grid
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