WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. — When Tommy Milone was drafted by the Nationals in June 2008, the prospect of pitching for the then-trainwreck of a team in Washington wasn’t exactly a major leaguer’s dream come true. The club lost 102 games that year, followed by 103 the next.
But by the time the left-handed hurler worked his way up through the minors to make his big league debut with the Nationals in 2011, Washington was playing .500 ball, on the cusp of winning four National League East titles over the next six seasons.
The future was looking up for the franchise and for the 24-year-old lefty.