The Greatest Washington Nationals players in the Last 50 Years

I am continuing my list for the greatest players at each position in the last 50 years for every MLB team. Today’s team is the Washington Nationals.

The criteria are as follows:

- Player must have played a full 5 seasons for the team.

-1 player will be selected for each position, 1 righthanded starting pitcher, 1 lefthanded starting pitcher, and 1 relief pitcher. I will include a DH for both leagues considering interleague play now).

 Below is my list of greatest players by position for the Nationals in the last 50 years (since the 1970 season).  Note the question putting this list together was if I should include the Montreal Expos (which started in 1969). I decided, yes, since the team moved from Montreal in 2005.  Although the team changed names, it is the same organization. So, this list is combined with Expos and Nationals players.

 

First Base- Andres Galarraga

Second Base- Danny Espinosa

Shortstop- Ian Desmond

Third Base- Anthony Rendon

Left Field- Tim Raines

Centerfield- Andre Dawson

Right Field- Vladimir Guerrero

Catcher- Gary Carter

Designated Hitter- Bryce Harper

Right-Handed starting pitcher- Max Scherzer        

Left-Handed starting pitcher- Gio Gonzalez

Relief pitcher- Jeff Reardon

 

A couple of notes.  A great line up that includes 4 Hall of Famers in Raines, Dawson, Guerrero and Carter. The most challenging positions to select were second base, shortstop and left-handed starting pitcher.  Espinosa, Desmond and Gonzalez were the best options at those positions. There were many good options for right-handed pitchers. Denis Martinez, Steve Rogers, and Stephen Strasburg were considered. Scherzer was the best selection and is a future Hall of Famer.

 

Next up is the Chicago Cubs