Washington Nationals: Lasting impressions of 2017

As the Washington Nationals celebrate the new year, it is time to take one last look at 2017. Here are our lasting impressions of the last 12 months.

The Washington Nationals are ready to turn the calendar forward to 2018.

In a sense, 2017 was an unfulfilled year. A chance wasted to join baseball’s true elite. There is something about a Game 5 that causes hyperventilating and a sense of resignation.

But, you have to get there. By a whopping 20 games, the Nats won the National League East. They cruised to a second straight title despite 13 of the 40-man roster finding the disabled list. Washington set another franchise record for offense and won 97 games. By any measure that is a success.

Still, the heavy expectations and disappointment is understandable.

As with most things in life, you can say the past year was a mixed blessing. Some things went well, others did not. This is the definition of the “water glass half full or empty” proposition. How you feel about it is up to you.

We asked the staff of District on Deck to give their lasting impressions of the year. As you can understand, there is a mix of harsh reality mixed with pessimism with a touch of sunshine thrown in. Then again, the Nats mood fits around the country’s.

Whatever you thought of this year, 2018 promises to be a roller coaster ride beyond any seen in the 50 seasons of franchise history. The All-Star game is coming. A new coaching staff leaves their fingerprints while a few players flirt with free agency.

Never dull, here are our thoughts. Share yours below.