Final Nationals home game cancelled; fans collectively shrug

September 26, 11:47 AMWashington Nationals ExaminerJohn Dugan

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AP photo/Nick Wass

Well, that's a fitting end. As a capper to what can charitably be called an abysmal first season at Nationals Park, the final home game of the year was cancelled last night and won't be rescheduled. Which is probably smart, since the Marlins and Nats are both out of contention and making them play on Monday would be absurdly cruel. It's just a shame for all 19 or so fans who actually showed up.

The most hilarious part of the cancellation? It was fan appreciation night. It's not like anyone could have planned a rainout, but you could practically hear cheers from the owner's box when the Lerners realized they wouldn't have to pretend to care about fans. If the Lerners even bothered to show up.

Here are a few important notes from the non-game:

• Ticket exchange and refund information can be found at Nationals Journal. Hope you like mid-week games against small-market clubs, 'cause that's what you're getting.
• Cancelling the last home game of the year is depressing enough, but consider the longer-range implications: The Strasburg Sweepstakes just became much harder to win. Seattle holds a two-loss advantage over the Nats with three to play. The Nats need to get swept in Philly and hope the Mariners can win one at home against the A's. (The tiebreaker goes to the Nats.) It's an entirely possible scenario and the Nats could come away with the No. 1 pick next year, but it will be tough.
• If you actually braved the pouring rain for a chance to watch the Marlins and Nationals duke it out with officially nothing on the line, I don't know whether to salute you or mock you. I'm going to play it safe and salute you, great baseball fan.
• In case you missed it, Nats radio broadcasters Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler got a little funky in the booth Wednesday night. At least someone was enjoying the last days of the season. I leave you with this to enjoy on another rainy, awful day in D.C. (Video from D.C. Sports Bog, via Miss Chatter.)