CHAMPS!!!

At about the same time Danny Espinosa fielded a ground ball to end the eighth inning, the Pirates did the same to end the game against the Atlanta Braves. In doing so, they clinched the NL East Division Championship for the Washington Nationals.

While the Nationals lost to the Phillies 2-0, there is still plenty to celebrate. This is the first division championship for the DC ball club since they came to the district back in 2005. When watching the team and fans celebrate, you'd never have known that they lost the game.

It's symbolic, in a way. On the same night that the Phillies, who dominated the NL East as of late, are in town, the Nationals clinch their first ever NL East title. Also, the Pirates defeated the long time kings of the division, Atlanta Braves, to hand the Nationals the crown.

It's a changing of the guard. The Nationals have officially completed one of the greatest single season turn arounds in D.C. sports history. They went from a team that lost at least 100 games twice in the past four season and was in the cellar of the division, to a team that will nearly win 100 games and will be at the top of the division when all is said and done.

You can't help but feel the same joy and happiness that we saw when the Nationals players got the word before the ninth inning that they were the NL East Champs. They way the dugout, and Nats Park, came apart after seeing the official announcement was put on the board was sensational.

What made the evening so special was how the players returned to the field following their initial celebrating to celebrate with the fans. All season long "Natitude" has grown in D.C. and it boiled over into one extravagant climax following the game. Players were high-fiving with fans and some even sprayed champagne into the stands.

It's time, D.C. Year after year we've seen the Wizards fall short, the Capitals come so close, and the Redskins collapse in the playoffs. This time, however, the Nationals are stepping up to the plate to bring a title back to D.C.

The playoff are right around the corner and I just have one thing to ask...

Are you ready, DC, to show your #NATITUDE?

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