Washington Nationals Win Their First World Series

The Washington Post reports:

When the fight was finished and the Nationals had wrapped up their first World Series title some 1,400 miles away in Houston, the District screamed. And cried. And bellowed into a rainy night.

The tide has turned in Washington, and a city of sports fans used to suffering and heartbreak is suddenly celebrating yet another championship — the third in two years.

When the last out in Houston was recorded and the Nats had somehow stormed back to win the best-of-seven roller-coaster series over the Astros, D.C. — ahem, the District of Champions — began celebrating like it was still a novel and wholly unexpected experience.

The New York Times reports:

The home field is supposed to be an advantage in sports. Players sleep in their own beds. They keep their normal routines. Umpires might be friendlier. Whatever quirks exist on the playing field are familiar. The fans cheer you, not your opponent.

The 2019 World Series, however, flipped the concept of home-field advantage entirely on its head. The road team won all seven games, the latest on Wednesday with the Washington Nationals’ 6-2 win over the Houston Astros in Game 7 to claim the World Series title.

It was a rarity that transcended baseball: the road team had never won all seven games of a postseason series in the history of M.LB., the N.B.A. or the N.H.L. — until now. Home-field disadvantage, perhaps.

The team whose fans booed Trump and chanted “LOCK HIM UP” just won the World Series. Even if you don’t follow sportsball, you should be very happy.

— JoeMyGod (@JoeMyGod) October 31, 2019

FINISHED THE FIGHT.

The @Nationals are #WorldSeries CHAMPS. pic.twitter.com/lCS6r9Y0Da

— MLB (@MLB) October 31, 2019