Washington Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo talked during the Winter Meetings about all the things that came together that allowed the club to bounce back from a 19-31 start to claim the first Wild Card spot, which got them into the postseason, and, eventually, allowed them to battle their way to a World Series championship.
“They counted us out,” Rizzo said. “They knocked us down. We had injuries early, we didn’t perform like we wanted to, but not one person pointed a finger, no anonymous quotes, no clubhouse lawyers, no backbiting. Loyalty. And that’s why we’re here today.