Today, we're taking a look at the Washington Nationals All Time team. The Washingon Nationals were transplanted from Montreal in 2005. Prior to that, they were the Montreal Expos, formed in 1969. The franchise has barely sniffed success in its 42 years of existence. The Expos only postseason appearance came in the strike-shortened 1981 season. They won the NL East title in that abridged year and won their first postseason series against the Phillies, 3-2, before falling to the Dodgers in the NLCS by the same margin. Despite their limited history, this team is actually not too shabby and with a rising crop of young talent, it's not too crazy to think that this all-time team could be very formidable over the next couple of decades.
We didn't run into too many snags picking this team. We did leave off one Martinez (Pedro) because of a lack of tenure but kept 'El Presidente.' Steve Rogers made the cut because of his longevity with the club and his postseason success; although Rogers is probably best known for giving up the game ending home run to Rick Monday which sealed the pennant for the Dodgers, he actually pitched extremely well in that postseason. He started 3 games in the 1981 postseason and in those three games he threw three complete games and gave up 1 only earned run (his second earned run came in relief on the home run to Monday - a move still questioned today). We left off a few names like Rusty Staub, Tim Wallach and Hubie Brooks but I like our list. Tell us who we missed.
C- Gary Carter
1B- Andres Galarraga
2B- Jose Vidro
SS- Orlando Cabrera
3B- Ryan Zimmerman
OF- Tim Raines
OF- Andre Dawson
OF- Vladimir Guerrero
SP- Dennis Martinez
SP- Steve Rogers
CL- Jeff Reardon
We didn't run into too many snags picking this team. We did leave off one Martinez (Pedro) because of a lack of tenure but kept 'El Presidente.' Steve Rogers made the cut because of his longevity with the club and his postseason success; although Rogers is probably best known for giving up the game ending home run to Rick Monday which sealed the pennant for the Dodgers, he actually pitched extremely well in that postseason. He started 3 games in the 1981 postseason and in those three games he threw three complete games and gave up 1 only earned run (his second earned run came in relief on the home run to Monday - a move still questioned today). We left off a few names like Rusty Staub, Tim Wallach and Hubie Brooks but I like our list. Tell us who we missed.
C- Gary Carter
1B- Andres Galarraga
2B- Jose Vidro
SS- Orlando Cabrera
3B- Ryan Zimmerman
OF- Tim Raines
OF- Andre Dawson
OF- Vladimir Guerrero
SP- Dennis Martinez
SP- Steve Rogers
CL- Jeff Reardon
