A New Stadium for the Washington Nationals-Good or Bad Luck

The Washington Nationals, also know as "The Nats", are owned by Ted Lerner and managed by Manny Acta. The Nats major league affiliations include the National League and the Eastern Division, both since 1969. This season is their 40th in the franchise since they began in Montreal, Canada in 1969 and their fourth in the District of Columbia. This year also marks their first season in their new stadium known as Nationals Park.

They opened their 2008 season in Nationals Park on March 30, 2008. No one knew if the new stadium would bring them good or bad luck. Some would say neither, since they look like the same old team.

The Nationals would start their season by winning their first three games. But as fate would have it, they would lose the next 16 out or 19 games, putting their record, so early in the season, at 6-16. The Nats finished April and began May with a winning streak, leaving their record at 14-18. The second half of May, and all of June and July, would be a continuous struggle with a few wins and then several losses.

However difficult their back and forth wins and defeats, nothing has been as hard as their current 10 straight game loss (their first since leaving Montreal). With their current record at 44-81 and their next six games on the road, Manager Manny Acta sends the team home for some much needed rest with their families.

A family's love and some rest go a long way. With fresh minds and bodies, the Nats losing streak could be over.