Washington Nationals: 3 things fans should be thankful for
Fans of the Washington Nationals have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Here are a few of the most significant things.
Being a baseball fan, specifically a Washington Nationals fan, is no small task. The team plays 162 games every year, and if they are lucky, they will attempt to win 11 more in October.
The postseason is an underdetermined mess that has continually burns Nats fans after six months of pouring their hearts into the team, but they still have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. As Nats fans have learned, the postseason is not everything, and we must enjoy the six months of constant baseball before the long Winter hits.
The team is in a bit of disarray at the moment, with a new coaching staff, yet they will still contend and should once again make it to the postseason. In baseball, one of the most parity-filled sports in the world, this is not something to be taken for granted.
While baseball is not everything, and there are certainly countless other things that matter much more, it feels like our lives revolve around the Nats and baseball at times.
So while you sit down and consider what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving, remember to include the Nats. And before you prepare yourself for another potential October heartbreak, remember that, yes, there are indeed many things to be thankful for.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at a few things Nats fans should be thankful for.
Two straight division titles
In baseball, arguably the most parity-filled sport, divisional turnover is not uncommon. Being the best team in your division over 162 games every year is extremely difficult, and few teams can consistently win their division.
However, the Nats have now been crowned champions of the National League East two seasons in a row. After the trainwreck that was the 2015 season, the Nats have won 192 games over the last two seasons, good for a .593 winning percentage.
Despite the fact that the Nats were unable to advance past the National League Division Series either year, both seasons should be considered successes.
Max Scherzer won the Cy Young Award in both seasons, Daniel Murphy won the Silver Slugger Award in both seasons, Anthony Rendon won Comeback Player of the Year in 2016, and Ryan Zimmerman won Comeback Player of the Year in 2017, among other Nationals award-winners.
Part of this can be attributed to the weak division. The Mets have battled injuries, the Braves and Phillies are rebuilding, and the Marlins are one of the most mismanaged teams in the league.
However, winning 192 games and two division titles in two seasons is something to be proud of. Now, the Nats enter 2018 as the favorites to win the NL East, which would be their third consecutive division title.
The Nats have never advanced past the NLDS, which is extremely frustrating, but they have won two straight division titles. In today’s game, this is not something to be taken for granted, and Nats fans should be thankful for those division title plaques on the facing of the upper deck at Nationals Park.
An extremely likable team
Professional athletes are some of the most well-off individuals in the world, and all of the money gets to their heads sometimes, making them unlikable and difficult to root for. However, the Nats do not have any of these players.
Every player on the Nats’ star-studded roster is exceptionally likable and easy to root for. From Max Scherzer and his different colored eyes, to Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner‘s bromance, to Gio Gonzalez‘s dugout antics, the Nats are arguably the most entertaining team in the league.
Even Bryce Harper, one of the most widely criticized athletes in the world, is easy to root for. His work with “Harper’s Heroes”, a program for children battling leukemia, is admirable and his hair-flips are legendary.
Keep looking down the roster, and you will find Wilmer Difo, a back-up infielder. Despite Difo’s role as a bench player, he comes to the ballpark everyday ready to play. His love for the game is obvious, which makes him a fun player to watch.
Between Difo’s enormous smile and hard work ethic, he has endeared himself to the Nats’ fanbase. He may not be the most glamorous player on the team, but that will not stop him from enjoying himself, making him a fan favorite.
If you are going to invest yourself into something for six months, it better be enjoyable. Rooting for the Nats may be frustrating at times, but it certainly is enjoyable. The Nats are one of the most likable teams in the league, which Nats fans should be thankful for.
A beautiful ballpark and city
Nationals Park, which opened in 2008, is one of the nicest ballparks in the league. Only Citi Field, Marlins Park, SunTrust Park, Target Field, and Yankee Stadium are newer, and it features all state of the art technologies, making for an enjoyable fan experience.
The on-field product certainly is not bad either, highlighted by the four division title plaques on the facing of the upper deck.
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Major League Baseball has also recognized that Nationals Park is an exceptional facility, as it will be home of the 2018 All-Star week.
From the enormous scoreboard in right field, to the Red Porch restaurant in left center field, to the ring of honor that stretches nearly all the way around the stadium, Nationals Park is a truly beautiful ballpark.
The city of Washington, DC is also an attractive venue. From the upper deck of Nationals Park, you can see a few monuments, including the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. Our nation’s capital is a fascinating city, and Nationals Park only adds to the exciting atmosphere.
Few cities are filled with as much to do as Washington, DC. On a Summer day, you can visit the monuments and the cherry blossoms during the afternoon, and take in a Nats game at night. Talk about a great day.
Next: 6 Nats who may be traded this Winter
Baseball is a beautiful game that is seemingly designed to rip your heart out year after year. While it may be frustrating to root for the Nats at times, there are several things to be thankful for. We gave you a few, but there is much, much more to be thankful for that comes with being a Nats fan.