What a year 2020 has turned out to be. I don't think that 365 days ago, anyone could have predicted what this country and the world would go through in 2020. What was supposed to be a year for the Washington Nationals from raising banners, getting rings, and wearing gold uniforms turned into a year of injuries, alternate training sites, taxi squads, and cardboard cutouts of fans in the stands.

Instead of talking about 2020 and the year, it should have been. I will share my experience on that magical night 365 days ago, where I was standing wet and cold in Nationals Park, surrounded by a friend and strangers that became friends for that moment.

2019 Postseason

The 2019 Postseason got off to an excellent start for the Nationals by winning a crazy wildcard game (which I was distraught that I missed in-person and I also fell asleep early before the comeback), a grand-slam home run in extra innings by Howie Kendrick over the LA Dodgers in the NLDS (also missed because I was asleep) and a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS (don't worry I learned my lesson and I did watch all those games to the finish)

During the 2019 postseason, I had a chance to attend a game during the NLDS against the Dodgers and two World Series Games, especially the first World Series home game in Washington D.C. since October 7, 1933, when the then New York Giants beat the Washington Senators in Game 5.

The 2019 World Series

There are many items on my bucket list in life; however, attending a World Series was and is on my bucket list. I was super excited that I had a chance to attend and root for my team. I remember waiting in line to get into Nationals Park, and you can feel the excitement in the air. The excitement was so great that when the gates were finally opened in Centerfield, there was a great big cheer and a lot of clapping. Being part of that moment is something that I will not forget.

From what I remember, Nationals park had a different feel to it. I have been to many opening days and many playoff games, but Game 3 of the 2019 World Series was different. It was the World Series, but there was something more than just electricity in the air; there was hope, as the Nationals had left Houston up two games to none against the Astros; as it turned out, the Nationals didn't win a home game during the World Series. However, Nationals Park for those days and nights were different. In a time when people are so divided to me, those nights at Nationals park, everyone, at least the majority of them, was rooting for a couple of runs and a two curly W's.

In the days leading up to Game 7, I was thinking of attending a watch party at Nationals Park, as I have seen on TV other teams doing the same thing. Still, I wanted to wait to experience the Nationals clinching the World Series, rather than an elimination game, so I waited until there was a Game 7 or if the Nationals could determine earlier in the series.

In the days leading up to Game 7, I was thinking of attending a watch party at Nationals Park, as I have seen on TV other teams doing the same thing. Still, I wanted to wait to experience the Nationals clinching the World Series, rather than an elimination game, so I waited until there was a Game 7 or if the Nationals could determine earlier in the series.

Game 7: October 30, 2019

During the playoffs, even when I was at home watching the games, I was always wearing my red Washington Nationals hoodie with my lucky hat, and game seven was no different. Buddled up, and I was heading to Nats Park rain or ice cold. I knew that this would be a special night, and I wanted to be surrounded by fellow Nationals fans even if they were strangers.

When looking back at that night, I think of it as two different parts of the night. The first part is not so enjoyable and the second half of the night is something that I will never forget. The first part of the night got off to a rocky start when I couldn't figure out how to park in the garage that was available and ended up circling Nationals park for a solid half an hour, and the fact that there was a lot of roads closed didn't help. I did end up getting to Nationals park within plenty of time before the first pitch.

When looking back at that night, I think of it as two different parts of the night. The first part is not so enjoyable and the second half of the night is something that I will never forget. The first part of the night got off to a rocky start when I couldn't figure out how to park in the garage that was available and ended up circling Nationals park for a solid half an hour, and the fact that there was a lot of roads closed didn't help. I did end up getting to Nationals park within plenty of time before the first pitch. Still, I planned to soak up as much of the atmosphere as possible, grab my traditional game day food (which is either a Senators Sausage or a Hot Dog, and of course, a beer!) and sit and enjoy.

I met up with a friend, and we tried to head down to the PNC Diamond club, but there was no room, which at the time was a bummer, but looking back at it now, 365 days later, I am glad that I got to spend that night cold and wet in the 200 section. The first part of Game 7, well, the first seven innings, was not fun. There is nothing to even say about that, and after six, the Nationals were heading to a horrible soul-crushing defeat. Still, I thought that all the other comeback wins during the Nationals playoff run gave me slim hope that the Nationals could come back and win it all.

It was at the top of the seventh inning when things changed for the Nationals, and my friend that I was with went to get a beer, and the game changed.

At the top of the seventh, Astros pitcher Zack Greinke walked Juan Soto after Rendon's homer and was then replaced by Will Harris. Harris gave up a two-run home run to Howie Kendrick off the right-field foul pole, giving the Nationals a 3–2 lead, which they never relinquished. Greinke was charged with two runs on two hits while striking out three in ​6 1⁄3 innings. Roberto Osuna pitched the eighth inning for Houston when Juan Soto batted in Adam Eaton with two outs to give Washington a two-run lead.

The Nationals extended their lead to 6–2 in the ninth inning, with two runs scoring on a one-out single by Eaton with the bases loaded. After the ninth and only three outs to glory, the feeling in the park changed. With each strike and out recorded, more and more people around me and the park knew that they would be part of something special. After the final out that Daniel Hudson recorded, Nationals park went nuts; Nats fans were hugging, high fiving strangers all around them throwing, beer everywhere. It was a moment that I will never forget.

On my way back to my car and while I was waiting to get out of the garage, people were high-fiving each other, honking their horns, and playing Queen's "We are the Champions" really loud. I can't even count the number of text messages that I was getting on my phone on my way home. As soon as I pulled into my driveaway when I got home, I spent a good half an hour responding to them. People wanted me to share my experience at the park; some wanted to make sure that I was alive, and just some just wanted to say congratulations.

No matter what has happened since that cold, wet night, us Nationals fans will always have October 30, 2019, circled on our calendars. It was the day that Nationals were finally able to not only shed their postseason demons but climb to the top of the baseball mountain in winning a World Series.

What was your experience that night? Please share your memories, photos, and more with us in the comment section below OR tag us on Twitter or Facebook!