Washington Nationals: One Last Look Back At 2016

Jun 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning single against the Chicago Cubs in the twelfth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning single against the Chicago Cubs in the twelfth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo (L) and manager Dusty Baker (12) celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching the National League Eastern Division Championship by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Nationals won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

A Night Of Celebration

The Nationals entered the 2015 season with high expectations, thanks to their signing of CY Young pitcher Max Scherzer; however, they disappointed many. They finished the year just 83-79, coming in second place in the NL East behind the New York Mets; the Mets would go on to play in the World Series, and after their World Series appearance, many expected then to run away with the division in 2016; that didn’t happen.

The Nationals maintained a comfortable lead in the NL East throughout the year, and won the season series versus the Mets, thanks to Daniel Murphy‘s uncontainable bat. By winning the season series, and dominating the rival Mets, the Nationals proved themselves as the team to beat in the division.

On September 24th, the Washington Nationals played the Pittsburgh Pirates, and they accomplished a great feat that night. Thanks to 5.1 innings pitched out of the pen by Reynaldo Lopez, and a 12 hit night from their lineup, the Washington Nationals officially won the division thanks to a Mets loss to the Phillies. It was a night of celebration, and revenge. After being knocked off and in a way forgotten, the Nationals took back what was theirs – the NL East.

In the third spot, we have Ricky Keeler, who talks about a wild night on and off the field back in May against the Tigers: