One of the few positive points about living in pandemic hell is that the Nationals continue to be world champions. And the way things are going, they may get an extended stretch atop the baseball world. In this week's collections of "Nationals Classics" on MASN, we're happy to revisit some October baseball, specifically the four World Series games in which the Nats prevailed over the Astros, all of them coming at Houston's Minute Maid Park. So much for home field advantage, right? There...

In years to come, our grandchildren will ask us about 2020. Political and societal turmoil raging against a backdrop of global pandemic will certainly give future historians much to analyze. When all the books are written, at least a few will dwell on the effects of the prolonged suspension of sporting events, both on fans and on the sports themselves. In the case of baseball, the coronavirus shutdown brought to a rapid boil the labor conflict that had been expected to simmer for another year....

His career did not start off the way he wanted. As a matter of fact, he was surprised he didn't make the team out of spring training back in 2008. Outfielder Denard Span had already spent five seasons in the minor leagues. In spring training with the Twins in 2008, he felt he had done enough to make the squad after hitting .282. The spring prior, Span had hit .302. "My rookie year was a special one to me because I got sent down after spring training," Span said. "I didn't make the team. I...

The last three months have provided an opportunity to re-watch plenty of classic games, and honestly it's been a fun experience. But nothing compares to a real, live sporting event, and I think we're all reaching a point where it's becoming harder and harder to be without them. The last few weeks have provided a few viewing options, though, as a handful of sports and leagues resume competition in empty facilities. And they've given us a taste of what might be in store for the country's...

Players reportedly were going to wait until today to vote on the latest proposal from ownership for a 60-game season, 10 short of their desired total. Then they were actually going to vote yesterday, per multiple reports. And then they didn't, per multiple reports. Isn't this fun? The latest outbreak of positive COVID-19 tests is going to push back the possible start of spring training 2.0 to at least June 29, with opening day postponed until July 26. USA Today reported yesterday that Major...

When the Orioles selected Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad No. 2 overall in the recent First-Year Player Draft, the assumption was they took him there to save some money to spent later in the draft. And while it could work out that way, the Orioles made it clear he was their top choice. Any savings would be an added bonus. We didn't know it then, but the Orioles would not go overslot until their last two picks, drafting high school players in the fourth and fifth rounds. There have been no...

After months of waiting followed by weeks of squabbling, the time has probably come for a final decision on the 2020 season. And barring a last-minute change of heart by the owners and players who have been refusing to budge from their most recent offers, it appears the sport is destined for a short season unilaterally mandated by commissioner Rob Manfred, which will probably be met with a formal grievance filed by the Major League Baseball Players Association. What, you thought this saga was...

To play 60 games or 70 games. Decisions, decisions. Something this important should take days to resolve. Actually, this should have been resolved weeks ago. But on we go. Still not sure if there will be a baseball season, how many games it will consist of and how the schedule will look. While the sides haggle over this, there have been several players apparently on both minor league and major league rosters that have tested positive for the coronavirus. There are four members of the Yankees...

Today marks the second Father's Day since my dad passed away in January 2019. It's supposed to get easier, I'm told. Except for the people who tell me that it never gets easier. Guess I'll find out. I've shared how he took me to my first baseball game in 1971 at Memorial Stadium. Game 2 of the World Series, with the Orioles winning 11-3 after a rainout the previous day. I got to miss school, hang out with my dad and watch baseball live. It could have been an exhibition game and I'd still...

The Nationals agreed to terms with third-round pick Holden Powell late Friday afternoon, a team source confirmed to MASNSports.com. The right-hander was a Pac-12 Conference first-team selection in 2019 and had a career 2.26 ERA with 107 strikeouts through his junior season. He was also named the 2019 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year and was a first-team All-American. "Obviously, (I am) grateful for the opportunity from the Nationals," Powell said via Zoom...