Washington Nationals fans have just reason to feel that their team is beyond belief.

After all, the normal trend taken by a new franchise is continuous improvement each year.  But let’s peruse the Nats’ records in each of the past five seasons:

2005 – 81 wins, 81 losses

2006 – 71 wins, 91 losses

2007 – 73 wins, 89 losses

2008 – 59 wins, 102 losses

2009 – 59 wins, 103 losses

Currently, Washington sits in their usual place of the NL East standings – the basement.  But they are still very much in the thick of competition now, sporting a record of 27-31 (after losing five of their last six games).  The Braves sit atop the division – merely 6.5 games ahead of the Nationals.  The Phillies, Mets and Marlins follow - all just a hot or cold streak away from swapping places.

Unless the Nationals have a breakdown of disastrous proportions (in the range of going 30-70 for the remainder of the summer), this season will demonstrate some notable improvement – possibly putting them back toward their 2005 record.

And with the D.C. team giving fans much more to cheer about, there’s an element of excitement in the air.

The Nats are hoping that brighter days lie ahead with their selection of Bryce Harper.

But the excitement doesn’t revolve around the club improved play so far, but instead on where Washington may be headed.

Tomorrow, the 2009 #1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg with make his major league debut at Nationals Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Strasburg has torn up the minor leagues, going 7-2 with a 1.30 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings in AA and AAA combined.  The hype is so great that the Nationals are now selling standing room seats for the yougster’s first big league game.

Earlier tonight, Washington utilized their first pick in the 2010 major league baseball draft to select College of Southern Nevada outfielder Bryce Harper.  Harper, who has also been hyped, is a dynamic talent and draws raves for his amazing bat speed. 

“I wish I had bat speed like that. It’s at the top of major league bat speed.” – Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino

Two years, two talented number one picks. 

Nationals fans may very well remember this week as the beginning of the end of a lot of frustration in the nation’s capital.

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