As I write my last article for District on Deck, I can't help but look back fondly upon my love for the franchise that I cover here. I moved to the Washington, D.C. suburbs in September 2005--the same year of the Nationals' inaugural season.
I have tons of fond memories of going to Nationals Park, from Opening Days to Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter, I wanted to share my top five favorite Nationals of all-time in no particular order.
Ian Desmond
Known for his clutch moments at the plate, he showed up when the Nationals needed him most. A two-time All-Star, including once with the Nationals in 2012, he also won the National League Silver Slugger award for shortstops three times with the Nationals from 2012-2014. He was always a fan favorite not just for his clutch moments; he often signed autographs for fans, including twice for me. He crushed the lone home run in the 1-0 win over the Miami Marlins on September 28th, 2014, to seal Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter, the first Nationals no-hitter since the team's move to DC in 200
Stephen Strasburg
As the first overall pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, Stephen Strasburg had high expectations coming out of San Diego State University. He made it to the big leagues on June 8th, 2010, and quickly excelled. It wasn't long after that he got injured and needed Tommy John surgery. His career was unfortunately derailed by injury, and he could've been one of the greatest Nationals of all time if not for his injury bug. I loved Stephen Strasburg because my dad is also an alumnus of San Diego State, and because my NCAA Division III school doesn't really get guys into the MLB, nor do most Division III schools, I love seeing guys from San Diego State do well in the MLB, and in all sports, especially the ones highly touted like Strasburg. I still believe the Nationals should retire his number.
Drew Storen
I have written why I absolutely loved Drew Storen on the Nationals before. He was always super nice to me as a fan when I was nine years old, and within the past few years, I have reconnected with him. While seeing Drew blow up the Nationals' chances in the 2012 NLDS vs the Cardinals was hard for many Nationals fans, and Drew himself, heartbreak is a part of the sport. I collect his baseball cards, I have his Phiten Necklace, and I will forever be a fan of Drew Storen.
Jayson Werth
I remember how big a deal it was when Jayson Werth signed with the Washington Nationals before the 2011 season, a seven-year, $126 million deal. The Nationals had never spent that kind of money to sign a superstar to a multi-year deal, and he brought momentum to the team during his tenure. He did it in the 2012 NLDS, hitting a walk-off home run in Game 4 to force a Game 5. Even though the team lost that series, the excitement around that clutch home run was huge.
Max Scherzer
"Mad Max" is almost guaranteed to be a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, and could be the first player in Cooperstown to wear a Nationals hat on his plaque. With two no-hitters, a 20-strikeout game, and as a member of the Washington Nationals championship team, Scherzer brought intensity to the team and a high level of performance every five days on the mound, and earned the right to be considered one of the greatest Nationals of all time. He made his seven-year, $210 million contract worth it for the team and its fans, winning two Cy Young Awards in 2016 and 2017.
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