Nationals Fan's Special 21st Birthday Moment

0:00On April 5th, Saturday marked the 21st anniversary of the Washington Nationals' first game after moving from Montreal. Lifelong fans, Sortja Lewis, turned 21 that same day, born right when the franchise kicked off on April 4th, 2005. The team hooked her up with a special moment on the mound. Instead of the usual first pitch, they let her do a ceremonial first sip from a red Budweiser bottle. She raised it for her cheers, then shud for 10 seconds straight, rocking a white nationals jersey and cap. The big screen-flashed O-picks of her as, a kid of games, cotton candy in hand. Lewis has ridden every twist of this team's wild ride. Early years in D.C. were rough. No playoffs for seven seasons, bottoming out at 59 wins in 2008 and 2009. Then things flipped in 2012 with manager Davey Johnson. They grabbed their first NLEs title that year, with 98 wins, but stumbled in the playoffs. More division crowns came in 2014, 16, and 17, yet always out in the division series.

1:04Breakthrough hit in 2019 with their first World Series win. Lewis was 14 cheering it on. Lately, it's been a drought. No playoffs since, topping out at 71 wins. They started this season three and one, but dropped four in a row, heading into Sunday's finale against the Dodgers. Moments like Swarches keep the fire alive for fans holding out hope. From your team, powered by AI, this is Washington Nationals News Today.