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Monday, October 01, 2012

MLB.com: Nationals make history with first division title

The magic number is zero. The Nationals are the National League East champions, despite their 2-0 loss to the Phillies on Monday night.

It helped that the Braves, who were in second place and three games behind, were edged by the Pirates, 2-1, in Pittsburgh.

This is the first time the Nationals have won a division title since moving to D.C. after the 2004 season.

NTNgod Posted: October 01, 2012 at 11:05 PM | 42 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: nationals, pennant race

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1. Chris Needham Posted: October 01, 2012 at 11:16 PM (#4250605)

:-)

2. Spectral Posted: October 01, 2012 at 11:38 PM (#4250613)

Wish I'd been down at the park tonight. It was interesting to see the team react with sort of a, "wait, is it OK to celebrate when we're losing?" for about 30 seconds before they started to get into it. What a great season to watch unfold, full of pleasant surprises.

3. cardsfanboy

Posted: October 01, 2012 at 11:41 PM (#4250616)

Congrats to National fans. And the team also.

4. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: October 02, 2012 at 12:21 AM (#4250635)

The MLB Tonight guys interviewed Strasburgh after the game and grilled him about maybe being on the postseason roster. He didn't give a straight answer, but was coy enough that the MLB Tonight guys are speculating.

5. Best Regards, L.M. Posted: October 02, 2012 at 12:28 AM (#4250639)

He will not be on the postseason roster.

6. Natty Fan Posted: October 02, 2012 at 01:13 AM (#4250655)

When Pittsburgh took a 2-1 lead, there was a little buzz in the crowd. When we saw that it was still 2-1 in the middle of the eighth, folks began to follow along on their smartphones. There was even a brief "Let's go Pirates!" chant. Even the Phillies fans sitting near me were cheering the Bucs. Their logic? They didn't want the Nats to win the division by beating the Phils.

7. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: October 02, 2012 at 01:48 AM (#4250670)

I don't give a crap if they had to back into it. The Nats have still clinched 1st place in the NL East. It's friggin' huge.

8. NJ in NY Posted: October 02, 2012 at 02:13 AM (#4250679)

Not sure if it's been discussed here, but I check Nats box scores every night and seems like Harper is ending the year on a tear.

9. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: October 02, 2012 at 02:35 AM (#4250681)

Harper has definitely locked up the NL ROY award at this point.

10. Greg (U)K Posted: October 02, 2012 at 03:28 AM (#4250686)

Congratulations on winning the pennant Nationals!

(he said, with tongue firmly planted in cheek.)

11. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: October 02, 2012 at 08:02 AM (#4250733)

Congrats to National fans. And the team also.

Thank you. And when St. Louis gets in, I hope they knock off Medlen and the Braves in the wild card game so damn badly.

And speaking of the Braves, I'll bet rat-faced coward doesn't even show up here on the site for the rest of the week.

12. AndrewJ Posted: October 02, 2012 at 08:08 AM (#4250734)

Congratulations, Nats. It's been a long time coming.

13. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: October 02, 2012 at 08:17 AM (#4250737)

Good for the Nats. I'll take it a step further than Esoteric, they didn't back into anything. That they lost yesterday doesn't change the fact that they've won 96 games this year, that's a great achievement and one the Nationals' fans should enjoy whether they go 0-3, 11-0 or something in between the next few weeks.

14. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish Posted: October 02, 2012 at 08:21 AM (#4250740)

I want a Nats-Tigers World Series. Make it happen, boys!

15. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: October 02, 2012 at 08:29 AM (#4250744)

Enjoy the ride, Nats' fans.

16. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 02, 2012 at 08:29 AM (#4250746)

That's a hell of an 0-2 win, boys. Good job! (Now back to banging Joey's mom.)

17. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:11 AM (#4250772)

I'd rather make it with a win but whatever. I'll be at the game tonight. Will be interesting to see how much they let GiO pitch

18. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:12 AM (#4250774)

Not sure if it's been discussed here, but I check Nats box scores every night and seems like Harper is ending the year on a tear.

It's pretty awesome when someone is able to live up to the hype. This kid was one of the most hyped prospects ever, and sure enough, he turned out to be the greatest teenage position player in the history of baseball.

19. jack the seal clubber (on the sidelines of life) Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:17 AM (#4250778)

Great celebration. The Braves went nuts in September; there is no "backing in" considerations involved, when you play 162 games..

My hope is Nationals-Orioles. I don't want the Braves because of Medlen; would rather take on SF as Cain/Bumgartner have been so-so in September.

20. JE (Jason Epstein)

Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:24 AM (#4250784)

He will not be on the postseason roster.

Not even to pinch hit, Larry? (.277/.333/.426)

21. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:36 AM (#4250803)

Heard on the radio coming into work today that according to Mike Rizzo, Strasburg is "probably" going to be on the postseason roster.

Make of that what you will.

22. jack the seal clubber (on the sidelines of life) Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:38 AM (#4250806)

Heard on the radio coming into work today that according to Mike Rizzo, Strasburg is "probably" going to be on the postseason roster.

Make of that what you will

This is kind of bizarre. Would they use him, after all? Are they planning on Jason's pinch hitting scenario.....

23. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:43 AM (#4250821)

Heard on the radio coming into work today that according to Mike Rizzo, Strasburg is "probably" going to be on the postseason roster. Make of that what you will.

I have to know, who said that?

24. Infinite Joost (Voxter)

Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:43 AM (#4250822)

Steps one and two for a Beltway Series have been taken. I think it would be fascinating to see.

25. Rants Mulliniks (formerly Cold Prosimian) Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:52 AM (#4250835)

It's pretty awesome when someone is able to live up to the hype. This kid was one of the most hyped prospects ever, and sure enough, he turned out to be the greatest teenage position player in the history of baseball.

Indeed. I came into this season really wanting to hate Harper, but you can't if you are a baseball fan. I can't believe how his numbers crept up without anyone really noticing - its a wonder he's not getting morepress. Do you realize despite missing almost all of April he's 5th in the NL with 97 runs? He also has 9 triples. He and Trout are going to be like Mantle/Mays 2.0, and although not at all likely, its not inconceivable that they could both end up being better.

26. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:56 AM (#4250840)

I came into this season really wanting to hate Harper, but you can't if you are a baseball fan.

########.

27. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 02, 2012 at 09:57 AM (#4250843)

I'd rather make it with a win but whatever.

The fact that the division came down to a start won by John Locke sort of sums up the mediocre crap that is the division/league this year.

28. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: October 02, 2012 at 10:02 AM (#4250854)

Awwwww, poor little ratface is bitter that for the seventh year in a row, his team just wasn't quite good enough to cut the mustard over six months!

Here ratface, have yourself a giant foam rubber tomahawk to cry into.

29. Greg (U)K Posted: October 02, 2012 at 10:11 AM (#4250863)

The fact that the division came down to a start won by John Locke sort of sums up the mediocre crap that is the division/league this year.

Don't tell them what they can't do!

30. JE (Jason Epstein)

Posted: October 02, 2012 at 10:12 AM (#4250866)

Are they planning on Jason's pinch hitting scenario.....

Wouldn't it be hysterically tragic if Strasburg pinch-hit in the NLDS, only to break his right hand on a Cain fast ball?

31. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: October 02, 2012 at 10:23 AM (#4250879)

I'm not so sure that Dr. Yocum would approve of taking such an unwarranted risk. Surely Rizzo's fifty page binder must have a paragraph or two in there somewhere regarding the advisability of using young pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery in a pinch hitting role?

32. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 02, 2012 at 10:25 AM (#4250884)

Awwwww, poor little ratface is bitter that for the seventh year in a row, his team just wasn't quite good enough to cut the mustard over six months!

You know, Joey, you could focus your energies on contributing something positive to the world instead of this sort of thing. For example, you could round up everyone who shares your immediate DNA into a single room and then set it on fire.

33. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 02, 2012 at 10:26 AM (#4250885)

Wouldn't it be hysterically tragic if Strasburg pinch-hit in the NLDS, only to break his right hand on a Cain fast ball?

Hysterical, yes. Tragic? No.

34. fra paolo Posted: October 02, 2012 at 11:20 AM (#4250950)

The fact that the division came down to a start won by John Locke sort of sums up the mediocre crap that is the division/league this year.

Is Locke some sort of finesse lefty? That would make Thomas Hobbes a right-handed power arm, perhaps?

35. JJ1986 Posted: October 02, 2012 at 11:27 AM (#4250953)

Unfortunately, his name is Jeff Locke.

36. bunyon Posted: October 02, 2012 at 11:35 AM (#4250966)

Heard on the radio coming into work today that according to Mike Rizzo, Strasburg is "probably" going to be on the postseason roster.

Make of that what you will.

Sweet, sweet love.

And Sam and Joey need to get a room.

37. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: October 02, 2012 at 11:35 AM (#4250967)

No big surprise that ratface is so distraught that he can't even get the name right of the guy who ended his division hopes. He probably can't even see straight through all the tears pouring out of his swollen, red eyes.

38. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 02, 2012 at 11:36 AM (#4250968)

Unfortunately, his name is Jeff Locke.

Meh. The Braves lost to a soft-tossing lefty they threw in along with Gorkys Hernandez in the Nate McLouth deal. The Nats "won" the division on the arm of a guy 1/3 as valuable as Nate McLouth. Dance in the streets, boys!

39. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 02, 2012 at 11:41 AM (#4250978)

No big surprise that ratface is so distraught that he can't even get the name right of the guy who ended his division hopes. He probably can't even see straight through all the tears pouring out of his swollen, red eyes.

You're so precious, Billy. So, so precious. Your "favorite team" "wins" their first division ever and your instinctual reaction is to hunt me down? So, so precious. One prays to all the gods that you are infertile.

40. ThisElevatorIsDrivingMeUpTheWall Posted: October 02, 2012 at 11:52 AM (#4250992)

Pretty awkward cheering after watching that ineptitude with runners on, but I managed somehow. I plan on infusing the local economy with Nats bucks, but I'm not buying one of those gray shirts, all they do is absorb champagne.

41. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: October 02, 2012 at 12:03 PM (#4251003)

I'd rather make it with a win but whatever. I'll be at the game tonight. Will be interesting to see how much they let Gio pitch.

Not at all it turns out; Tom Gorzelanny will be starting tonight instead of Gio. Congratulations to Dickey on his (likely) Cy Young Award.

42. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire Posted: October 02, 2012 at 12:41 PM (#4251047)

Not at all it turns out; Tom Gorzelanny will be starting tonight instead of Gio.

Well...that's probably for the best. Was looking forward to one more start from Gio though.

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Monday, October 01, 2012

MLB.com: Nationals make history with first division title

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