Washington Nationals: 10 greatest individual seasons
By Ron Juckett
There have been remarkable seasonal performances over the short history of the Washington Nationals. Here are ten which stand out.
As the Washington Nationals prepare for their 14th season in the nation’s capital, it is time to review the best individual seasons in team history.
Since the move from Montreal, the Nats have created their own success. Yes, the postseason failures loom large. But, they have four National League East crowns the last six seasons. To get there, a handful of players put in historical seasons and became legends.
From Livan Hernandez’s complete game gem at RFK on baseball’s official return to Washington to Victor Robles making the postseason roster before he became a rookie, the Nats are creating a rich historical tapestry. As Walter Johnson and Frank Howard are revered figures in DC, new names will join them in the future.
When you limit players to one individual season, selecting 10 years to highlight is a difficult task. Some are easy, but picking which Ryan Zimmerman campaign to recap is tough. When you have carried the run of recent success Washington has, you appreciate what a team effort this is.
Because the team plays down milestones, certain players do not get the credit due for having fantastic years and breaking the mold. With Washington still on the new side, the concept of history seems strange for a squad still writing an early chapter.
Yes, time flies as the Nats write history.
Still, we give it a go. In chronological order, here are the best individual seasons in Nats history by hitters and pitchers. A list surely needing revision come next fall.