Relive "Nationals Classics": Some heroics to get you closer to spring training

OK, let's face it: Once New Year's Day passes, the want for a new baseball season really sets in. You're ready to pitch snow, cold and frigid wind chills for warm thoughts of pitchers and catchers reporting to West Palm Beach, Fla., where the Nationals will hold their first spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

Well, we're still about six weeks away from the day that hardcore baseball fans consider the starting point of a new season. In the interim, we've got some warm diamond thoughts that should help bridge the gap until curly W caps converge on Florida's southeast coast.

Dasher, Dancer and Prancer have some well-deserved time off until next December. But thoughts of Bryce Harper swinging for the fences, Stephen Strasburg mowing down the opposition and Trea Turner igniting a celebration should make spring training feel a little bit closer.

With that, it's on to this week's "Nationals Classics" on MASN ...

Monday, Jan. 2 - 1 p.m. - Adam Dunn crushed 76 home runs during his two seasons in a Nationals uniform. On May 24, 2009, he hit a pair of them - a two-run shot and a grand slam - for a six-RBI day in an 8-5 interleague victory over the Orioles.

Tuesday, Jan. 3 - 1 p.m. - Harper flashed some impressive leather with a spectacular one-handed catch and Ian Desmond's walk-off homer in the ninth helped the Nationals to a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Thursday, Jan. 5 - noon - What's better than a two-homer game from Dunn? How about three dingers from the burly, bearded slugger? Dunn went deep thrice and drove in five runs on July 7, 2010 to produce the bulk of the offense in a 7-6 triumph over the Padres.

Friday, Jan. 6 - 12:30 a.m. - Remember the Nats' opening day win over the Marlins on April 1, 2013? Harper homered twice and Strasburg retired 19 Fish batters in a row at one point in a 2-0 shutout victory. Now that's a way to start off a season!

Saturday, Jan. 7 - 7:30 p.m. - We're throwing it back to Sept. 9, 2016, the night Turner's walk-off home run gave Washington a 5-4 win over the Phillies on South Capitol Street. Turner went yard twice that night.

Sunday, Jan. 8 - 3 p.m. - There's something about facing your former team that just brings out the best in you. At least that was the script Max Scherzer followed on May 11, 2016 when the Nats entertained the Tigers. Scherzer fanned 20 Detroit hitters in a complete-game 3-2 victory. (Personal note: This was the one game I attended as a fan last season. Can I pick 'em or what? The view and vibe from Section 107 were fantastic!)