WASHINGTON 鈥� Every baseball season takes on its own unique flavor, the personalities of the team meshing with the storylines that emerge to create a composite that lives in our memory. For many Nationals fans, the foundation upon which their view of the team was built was laid in place in 2012, the first year since the move to the District that the team posted a winning record and made the playoffs. That team was fresh and flush with excitement, full of big, lovable personalities and bereft of the kind of anxiety and tragedy that affects teams of expectation.
Fans sang along to 鈥淭ake on Me鈥� in Mike Morse鈥檚 fourth at-bat of the night. They chomped as Roger Bernadina came off the bench to pinch-hit. Gio鈥檚 鈥渉ouse party鈥� was still fresh and new. The howls echoed for Jayson Werth鈥檚 鈥淲erewolves of London.鈥� They cheered as roommates and best friends Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen Clip N鈥� Saved games out of the bullpen.
The face of that team was still Ryan Zimmerman, a human shrug emoji, the kind of eminently likable athlete that aging broadcasters gush over as the kind of role model they wish their daughters would date. Even fans of teams in other markets readily admitted they would be happy to see the Nationals win back then.
Not anymore.
The hero this Opening Day in Atlanta was free agent acquisition Daniel Murphy, who had four hits, including a home run and the game-winning double in extra innings. That鈥檚 the same Murphy who, amid Major League Baseball鈥檚 attempts to be more inclusive last season, said he 鈥溾�� of homosexuals. While athletes have certainly said worse, his comments aren鈥檛 the type to endear him to a fairly progressive Washington fan base.
And who closed the game out, locking down the final three outs to preserve the first victory of the season? Jonathan Papelbon, of course.
While Bryce Harper may have put , many fans haven鈥檛 been as quick to forgive and forget. Despite an offseason of fans saying they , or even their if he remained on the team, despite if the team would get rid of him, the Nationals kept Papelbon. There will, no doubt, be boos from those who do attend Thursday鈥檚 home opener when number 58 is announced.
Morse and Bernadina are long gone. Clippard and Storen have each been traded over the past two offseasons. Werth has since after a reckless driving charge.
Even some of Zimmerman鈥檚 seemingly impervious shine lost some sparkle when Al Jazeera named him in a documentary about sports doping this offseason. While Zimmerman forcefully denies any wrongdoing, to the extent that he has , his reputation has been undoubtedly tarnished.
But of course, he鈥檚 not the leader of this team anymore. Despite what he says, Harper is, and everybody knows it. Harper, who is unapologetically great and doesn鈥檛 care what you think 鈥斅�. Who thrives off the boos at Turner Field, and at every other ballpark he鈥檒l visit this year.
If you appreciate these qualities, that might actually make Harper the most likable player on the club. His desire to represents the injection of , as its young superstars into the 21st century.
The story of the 2016 season has yet to be written. But it will be written by this group of players 鈥� with their bravado, their warts, their closed-mindedness, their criminal history and their occasionally violent tendencies 鈥� whether you want it to be or not.
This is your team, Nats fans. You might as well take Harper鈥檚 lead and embrace the hate.
