Now it’s just the Mariners.

Of all thirty teams in major league baseball, the only team to never make it to the World Series as of last night is Seattle. They stand alone now that Washington swept St. Louis in the National League Championship Series.

Just like in 2010 Rangers fans felt the euphoria of finally, at long last, kicking down that door and making it in, Nationals fans are feeling that same sense of relief and shock and pure unbridled giddiness. It swept across the entire crowd at Nationals Park Tuesday night.

Just like in 2010 when Neftali Feliz struck out A-Rod, when the ball landed in centerfielder Victor Robles’s glove for the final out, the place exploded into a wonderful concoction of tears and smiles and high fives and quiet introspection.

Just like in 2010 with the Rangers, all those years of playoff frustration and heartache the Washington Nationals have suffered suddenly vanish.

There’s only joy.

Even though it wasn’t the Rangers experiencing the thrill of going to the World Series, it was fun to watch a long-suffering fan base finally say their team made it.

That’s what sports is all about. If it can’t be us, might as well be them.

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

Jose Urquidy vs. Chad Green
Game time: 7:08 on FS1