After a seven-game series against the Houston Astros, the Washington Nationals are World Series Champions.
For this group of mainly veterans who started out the season as a 19-31 team, this win is very special. After a season where the loss of Bryce Harper was expected to sidetrack the team, they proved they could win without him.
Some notable Nationals veterans include Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon, Howie Kendrick and Kurt Suzuki.
This is the first time the Washington Nationals franchise has ever won the World Series in MLB history. The only team left who still has not done so is the Seattle Mariners.
Stephen Strasburg was fittingly named the World Series MVP after his dominant postseason performance.
For the first time in history, out of the four major professional leagues, Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Strasburg are the first players from the same university (San Diego State) to be named postseason MVP in the same season.
This series proved how beautiful and truly unique the game of baseball is. It was impossible to watch those guys who have played the game for so long win the ultimate prize without a smile on your face.
Max Scherzer couldn’t stop crying, Juan Soto (who fittingly just turned 21) couldn’t stop hugging his parents, and Stephen Strasburg’s daughter simply continued eating her snacks.
“This stuff only happens in baseball, man,” Daniel Hudson said. “You see stuff in other sports. But this game. It’s crazy. It really is.”
So, What’s Next?
The Nats Championship Parade is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday at 2 p.m. that will begin on Constitution Avenue at 15th Street in Northwest, proceed east along Constitution Avenue and end on Pennsylvania Avenue and 3rd Street Northwest.
The team has also accepted an invitation to visit the White House on Monday.
It will be interesting to see if players will choose to stay with the Nats now that they are the reigning World Series Champs. Stephen Strasburg is expected to opt out on Saturday night and Anthony Rendon will become a free agent. They remain two of the Nats’ biggest targets to re-sign.
Until then, the Nationals can continue to bask in the highs of their big win.
“We made it,” Juan Soto said. “We made it. We’re all living the dream.”
Born and raised in the Bay Area. My life has revolved around sports- specifically the A’s, Warriors, Sharks, and 49ers since I was a little girl. This May, I received my BA in Sports Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University… Go Aztecs!
