Interim general manager Jim Bowden started things off by introducing pitchers Zach Day and Chad Cordero, outfielder Jose Guillen and shortstop Christian Guzman to the media. All four players then put on their uniform tops and hats for the first time. Day and Cordero wore the road uniform, a traditional cool gray with a button-down style, while Guillen and Guzman wore the home jersey, which is white, piped at the collar and neck with red and blue.

After the unveiling, Day, who played for the Expos last season, talked about how Bowden improved the team by acquiring Guillen and Guzman in the offseason.

"Last year we struggled with injuries, but getting a shortstop and this big bopper [Guillen] to drive in some runs will be huge," Day said.

Day also reminded the media that Guzman will be reunited with several Yankees farmhands including himself, first baseman Nick Johnson and Tony Armas Jr. All four helped the Gulf Coast Yankees win the rookie championship in 1996 and are expected to be major players for the Nationals this season.

"We won the rookie championship because of the defense we had with Nick and Guzy behind us," Day said.

Guzman wants to be more than just a defensive specialist. He wants to take the Nationals to the playoffs. Guzman, who has playoff experience, helped the Twins win three consecutive division titles from 2002-04.

"I think the Nationals are real good. We can do something," Guzman said. "We can go to the playoffs and the World Series. The kind of year I want is to put us in the playoffs."

As for Guillen, he was well aware that the media wanted to talk about his problems with the Angels last season. Guillen was suspended the last eight days of the regular season and the postseason for what the Angels termed "inappropriate conduct" following his removal for a pinch-hitter in a Sept. 25 game against the Athletics. On his own, Guillen took anger management classes following the season. He said he has learned to react better to situations like the one that led to his suspension.

"A lot of people made such big deal out of the situation. A lot of people don't even know what happened at that moment," Guillen said. "I want to talk about it now in order to get it over with. But it's behind me and I don't even think about it. This is a new team and it's a fresh start for me.

"When I talked to [Angels manager] Mike [Scioscia] and [general manager] Bill [Stoneman], they knew they overreacted a little bit. They said some things that were not true. ... I'm the type of player that wants to play every day. I'm going to give 100 percent every day. I'm a hard-working man. That's one of the reasons Jim brought me here."

Guillen, who will be playing for his seventh team in nine years, is hoping that Washington is his last stop.

"I'm looking to buy a house here. I've already talked to Jim and we already had some great conversations," Guillen said. "I'm looking to be here for many years."

After the media session, Day, Guzman, Guillen and Cordero went downstairs and signed autographs for over 100 people.

A number of the fans expressed their appreciation for the players, and they were also happy that Major League Baseball is returning the nation's capital for the first time since the 1971 season.

"I'm overjoyed. I couldn't be happier," said Ross Feldman. "I think the team is going to be OK this year. Expectations aren't that high, but everybody is just glad to see them play. If they win, that's great. If they play .500, everybody will be ecstatic."

Said Lew Sawyer, "Any time you can get the team out and you touch the players, it great. If the Nationals keep injuries down to a minimum, they could play .500 ball or better."

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.