To all my friends and acquaintances here on the WNFF:
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NATIONALS WINNING THE WORLD SERIES!!
Savor this for all time. When baseball means as much to me as I am sure it does to so many of you, well, winning it all is the greatest feeling ever!
I don't hang around here much anymore. I apologize for that. For those who remember me from the "old days," you know I am a dyed-in-the-wool White Sox fan. But I've always been intrigued with the Nationals -- their concept, their history, what they represent. DC Baseball fans have a very difficult legacy. I identify with it, because in some ways its very similar to my chosen team's legacy -- a history of futility, frustration and obscuration. Being the ugly stepsister. The red-headed step-child. I am old enough to have watched as DC baseball fans were jilted by divorce not once, but twice. Having the Expos relocate to DC was a little like getting the last kid to be chosen in a pick-up game on the playground. I don't think the baseball establishment ever took the Nationals very seriously.
That is, until now. The ugly step sister is now the prom queen. God, I love it! I am usually inclined to cheer for the American League in the world series as a matter of principle (lodge brothers to the White Sox, you see), but I couldn't help but cheer for your motley crew, who came on like the Braves of 1914 or the Mets of 1969. Everyone predicted their demise in the post season -- not enough starting pitching, no bullpen, automatic outs in the batting order etc. But everything came together in a beautiful way to knock off the haughty Dodgers and Cardinals and then tame the "sure fire winners" from Houston. Even I predicted at the outset of the baseball season that "I don't see anyone beating the Astros." Ha! I was wrong!
I am so happy for all of you! Celebrate to the fullest! Congratulations!
I also would be remiss if I didn't celebrate the White Sox roots that helped your team win -- Dave Martinez, Adam Eaton, and Daniel Hudson.
There is a cosmic connection between the White Sox and Nationals as the only two teams to beat the Astros in the World Series (although we did accomplish the feat in only 4 games). On October 26, 2005, the Astros lost the decisive World Series game in Houston with the winning run scored by Willie Harris (who eventually played for the Nats). On October 30, 2019, the Astros lost the decisive World Series game in Houston, winning run given up by Will Harris. Coincidence? I think not!!!!
And I still have the newspapers (Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times) from the morning of October 27, 2005!
God bless you all and savor this moment for all time!
Sincerely,
John (soxfan59)
P.S. My favorite funny from twitter last night: "Tried to call Bryce Harper's cell, but he can't answer because NO RING!"