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Washington Nationals: One Last Look Back At 2016

By Ricky Keeler

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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Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Washington Nationals 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 Sigh Of Relief

As the new kid on the block, my finest moment of the season came watching the celebration after clinching the division in Pittsburgh.

Washington has worn the label of division favorite for years. Although the third time in five might seem as if they had been there and done that, the mix of relief on the players faces and in their voices, as they drowned poor Dan Kolko with that nasty beer and champagne mix, told a different story.

Yes, they were excited to return to the playoffs. Sure, the business of the season remained undone.

For those moments, however, the team as a whole had the chance to relax and take everything in. You could see them as a group go back in their minds to being kids again and how good it feels to be the best.

We all know how rare it can be.

On that night, they were a unit of one, joined in celebration and determination. They praised each other and manager Dusty Baker. The emotion was genuine.

It told me a lot about the future of the team and how unflappable they are. It bodes well as we head into 2017 that the next level of success can be reached.

Wrapping up our favorite moments is Matt Weyrich, who talks about being at Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers

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