The World Series begins tonight, Friday, October 23rd. The matchup pits two small-market, low-payroll teams against each other: the Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals. Our beloved Nationals have few ties to the season's pinnacle, but they do have one: Corey Dickerson, who finished his MLB career with the Nationals in 2023.
Corey Dickerson's Nationals Career
For those who may not recall his presence in 2023, here's a quick refresher. Dickerson is an 11-year MLB veteran outfielder. In 2017, Dickerson won a Gold Glove with the Rays. He retired in 2024 after his last season with the Nationals.
As a National, Dickerson played in just 50 games. He batted .250 with a .637 OPS. It was not all that glamorous, which helped explain his subsequent retirement. He was released to waivers on August 2 of that 2023 season. Dickerson did not get picked up.
But, technically Dickerson retired a National, and we remember our own. After an extensive playing career, Dickerson will now try to win his first-ever World Series Ring in a way he probably didn't expect just a few years ago.
A Road to Glory
Dickerson didn't slowly work his way into his current role as the Rays' first-base coach. It was his first MLB coaching role; the organization hired him in December 2025 for the following season.
In an MLB.com piece, Dickerson is described as having taken his talents back home to Mississippi. He took over the Jackson Academy High School in the state's capital. His move back home to begin coaching surely helped with his shift to the Rays this past winter.
The other connection to the Nationals happens right here with Dickerson's predecessor. Dickerson replaced Michael Johns, who went to D.C. with former Rays Senior Director of Player Development and now-Nationals manager Blake Butera; Johns is currently the Nationals' Bench Coach.
Not only did Johns leave the Rays for our Nation's capital, but a few hopped on that train with Butera. Ani Kilambi, former Rays Assistant Director of Research and Development was hired as the Nationals', General Manager, setting this organization up for success alongside Paul Toboni.
A side note — Nationals fans ought to be ecstatic that the Rays are in the World Series. They have the blueprint that is being followed in D.C.
So when you watch the Best-of-7 World Series over the next week or two, have fun tossing out these fun facts. An obscure former National is standing next to first base.
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