How to Get SI's Washington Nationals World Series Championship Commemorative Issue
The Washington Nationals won their first World Series in franchise history by beating the Astros 6-2 on Wednesday.
Almost out of contention in May, Washington turned its season around to finish 93-69. The Nationals started the year 19-31 and had playoff odds just over 20%, the second-lowest in the National League East.
From that point forward, Washington went 74-39, reshaping their bullpen at the trade deadline and landing the top wild card spot in the National League.
The comeback season continued into October. After trailing 3-1 at the bottom of the eighth in their NL Wild Card game against the Brewers, the Nationals ended up clinching a 4-3 victory. They overcame a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-five Division Series against the Dodgers to advance to the Championship Series, then promptly swept the Cardinals to put themselves in position to win a title.
After winning the first two World Series games, the Nationals dropped all three of their home contests, putting themselves in a hole as they headed back to Houston. A strong performance from MVP Stephen Strasburg gave them a Game 6 win, and Washington's title-winning Game 7 rally was capped by Howie Kendrick's two-run homer off the foul pole in right field in the seventh inning.
It was the first World Series in baseball history in which visiting teams won all seven games, and the first championship in any major sport where the winner won all four games on the road.
Washington D.C. has not experienced a Major League Baseball championship since 1924.
To celebrate the 2019 World Series Champions, you can purchase Sports Illustrated's special commemorative issue.
A special commemorative cover as well as past Nationals covers are also available online.