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WASHINGTON -- Every time Nationals manager Dave Martinez looks at his ring and his trophy, it makes him feel like it was just yesterday that he was raising the 2019 World Series championship trophy after Game 7 at Minute Maid Park.
Unable to celebrate with a proper victory lap early in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nats decided to commemorate the fifth anniversary of winning the title during the homestand against the Astros this weekend.
Friday marked the beginning of the weekend-long celebration of the fifth anniversary of the World Series title, complete with alumni appearances, fireworks, ring replicas, baby sharks and a shirtless Brian Dozier.
Here are five moments from the celebration:
1. The Nationals secured a comeback 5-4 walk-off win over the Astros after Saturday’s celebration.
“It was definitely magic, right? We played a lot of games like that in '19,” Martinez said after the game.
2. Nationals alumni Dozier, Adam Eaton, Javy Guerra, Howie Kendrick, AnĂbal Sánchez, Kurt Suzuki, Ryan Zimmerman and Bob Henley made appearances throughout the weekend, taking part in a pre-game Q&A and handing the 2019 World Series replica rings to season-ticket holders. Some of the current staff from the 2019 team -- including Martinez, Gerardo Parra and Sean Doolittle -- also held a Q&A with fans before the game.
3. Martinez, along with current players, staff and alumni raised the Commissioner’s Trophy from the World Series win.
4. Dozier could not resist the temptation. With Sánchez by his side, as soon as he heard the all-too-familiar tune “Calma” of Pedro Capó and Farruko, Dozier's shirt came off and he was singing and dancing. Dozier was excited to show a side of him that his children didn’t get to experience.
5. Baby sharks made appearances during the Presidents Race in honor of Parra’s 2019 walkup song.