You would think a team named the "Nationals" would garner at least some national attention. That was not the case for a 2007 team which was aired on national television a grand total of three times during the entire season. How many of these three appearances showcased the fourth place Nationals? Zero, unless you considering Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik giving up Barry Bonds record setting 756th home run a showcase.
All three of the games the Nationals played in front of a national TV audience in 2007 were by default, highlighting accomplishments of their opponents. The August 6th and 7th games the Nationals played at San Francisco on ESPN2 were only picked up nationally because Barry Bonds was sitting on 755 home runs. Seven of the Giants previous nine games leading up to the series against the Nationals were broadcast on either ESPN or ESPN2. Had Bonds hit 756 on August 3rd, 4th, or 5th, the Nationals would have been resigned to MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network) and MASN2 for the August 6th and 7th games, respectively.
The Nationals made one final national TV appearance on Fox, September 29th, against a Phillies squad wrapping up a late season surge into the playoffs. The Mets epic collapse (largely due to losing 5 of 6 to the Nationals in late September) coupled with the Phillies late season hot streak (largely due to winning 4 of 6 against the Nationals in late September), forged a Phillies run into the playoffs which would have been the most exciting in baseball had it not been for a Rockies team winning 14 of their last 15 games to claim the NL Wildcard. If the Mets hold on to their late season five game lead of the NL East, there would have been no reason for Fox to air the Phillies, and by default, the Nationals, on national TV.
Before the 2007 season started, the Nationals were scheduled play on national TV once, a 3:55PM game at home against the Rockies Saturday, July 21st to be aired on Fox. When July 21st came around, did Fox broadcast this game? No. Was this game broadcast at all? No. Fox decided to drop the Rockies at Nationals game to pick up the Mets at Dodgers game being played at the same time. MASN was unable to acquire the broadcasting rights to the game, so it wasn't aired at all. That's respect stooping to Rodney Dangerfield levels if I've ever seen it.
As of 1:05 PM EST today, the 2008 Nationals have already garnered more respect from the national broadcast media than they did in 2007. It's still spring training, and the Nationals have already been showcased nationally more times than they were last season. Today's spring training game against the Tigers on ESPN wasn't just a technicality like last season's nationally broadcast games were. The Nationals were on ESPN because ESPN decided the Washington's match up with Detroit was interesting enough to attract viewers across the country.
Furthermore, the Nationals opening day game at home against Atlanta March 30th at 8:05pm is slated to air on ESPN. This broadcast solely highlights the Nationals, or more precisely, the sparkling new Nationals Park, which will be receiving it's first taste of regular season action that day. While the Nationals don't have any nationally broadcast games on their schedule after March 30, the fact that the Nationals, projected by most "experts" to finish last in the NL East, have any nationally broadcast games shows the team is moving forward in terms of fan interest, and with fan interest, respect from major TV outlets. Maybe, just maybe, if the Nationals exceed all expectations and are competitive in the NL East, we'll get to see the Nationals on Fox and ESPN a few times this season while they make a playoff run. Hope springs eternal, especially during spring training.
Bonus 1: *The Nats rocked the Tigers today, I'm about to turn the game off since I need to get on with my day and we're up 9-0. Lastings Milledge, Justin Maxwell, and Ronnie Belliard all hit convincing home runs. Milledge's third inning shot was an all out bomb. It has to have landed at least 40 feet beyond the left center field wall and could very likely have been a "yellow-seater" at old RFK. The pitching was shaky at times, but still managed to shut out a Tigers team projected to lead Baseball in runs scored. Hopefully the Nats perform this well on ESPN March 30, when it, you know, counts for something.
Bonus 2: *I was lucky enough to have some excellent seats to the not broadcasted Rockies at Nationals game so I was able to see the Nationals shutout the Rockies 3-0 on a beautiful Saturday afternoon spent with my father.
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