Boswell

Boswell's column focuses, as we all should, on how great it is that the Nationals are in the playoff race in late September. No one thought it would be this way at the season's beginning, and, although the team squandered a big opportunity by not capitalizing via trades on its overachieving first half, a playoff race this late in the season is something to celebrate.

The Nationals are not likely to win the Wild Card Race, but if they are in it when the Nationals return home on September 20 to play Barry Bonds and the Giants, we hope that RFK will be filled to capacity with happy, screaming, raucous fans. It isn't often that a team like the Nationals is in this position, and it's not something we can plan on happening every year. If you doubt that conclusion, you should consult a Cubs fan.