#TBT to "Nationals Classics": As new year dawns, some throwback memories

Happy New Year's Eve! Since it's a perfect time to reminisce, we've got some really good memories for you.

Don't worry, only one of these comes from the dreadful year that's got exactly one more day left. And even that one will bring a smile.

But as we ponder the unpainted canvas of 2021, enjoy these "Nationals Classics" on MASN that are guaranteed to please. OK, there could be some fist-banging angst, too. But that's all part of the game, right?

And from our corner of cyberspace to yours: Here's to a healthy, happy and prosperous new year. May it hold only the best for you and yours.

Thursday, Dec. 31 - 11 a.m. - Wins against the Braves are extra satisfying in D.C. Extra-inning conquests of the guys from Atlanta are even more enjoyable. Last Sept. 11, the Nationals and Braves battled into the 12th inning before a walk-off single by Michael A. Taylor ended things in an 8-7 victory.

Sunday, Jan. 3 - 11:30 p.m. - By now, you've recovered from the revelry and are making plans to return to work (assuming the pandemic hasn't made your dining room your work space). You can squeeze in just a little more of the holiday weekend with this game from July 3, 2005. The Cubs scored a pair off Chad Cordero in the ninth to force extras, which brought more runs than regulation did. The teams traded two-spots in the 11th for a 4-4 standoff before Brian Schneider's solo blast in the 12th gave the Nats the lead. Joey Eischen recorded the final four outs, picking up the win.

Tuesday, Jan. 5 - 1 p.m. - We've got a tripleheader on tap today, with the first two gams featuring Max Scherzer's mastery. Scherzer no-hit the Pirates on June 20, 2015, falling tantalizingly short of a perfect game (and making José Tábata a designated villain in D.C.). Talk about your Maalox moments!

Tuesday, Jan. 5 - 3:30 p.m. - Scherzer did it again on Oct. 3, 2015, closing out the penultimate day of the campaign in style and helping the Nats to a doubleheader sweep of the Mets at Citi Field. The grunting right-hander fanned 17, including nine in a row at one point in the 2-0 triumph.

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 11:30 p.m. - This game from June 22, 2005 featured a pair of José Guillen home runs that helped the Nationals sink the Pirates 5-4 at PNC Park. Schneider's RBI single in the eighth plated the decisive run in a 5-4 win.

Wednesday, Jan. 6 - 9 a.m. - As relief outings go, what Adam LaRoche accomplished on Sept. 3, 2014 at Dodger Stadium was remarkable. Called on to pinch-hit for Tyler Moore in the ninth, LaRoche hit a two-run homer before Denard Span's RBI single knotted the score at 3-3. LaRoche was hit by a pitch in the 11th, then delivered a two-run single in the 12th and an RBI groundout in a three-run 14th that also featured a two-run Asdrúbal Cabrera homer for an 8-5 victory.