HOUSTON -- To say this World Series appearance has been a long time coming would be an understatement for more than a few Nationals veterans.

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Not only has the team and city been starving for this appearance in the Fall Classic -- the first in Nationals history and the first in D.C. in 86 years -- but there are several players on both rosters who have played in thousands of big league games across more than a decade in the Majors but never got the opportunity to play on baseball’s biggest stage.

That changes on Tuesday night, when the Nationals and Astros face off for Game 1 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park. Houston has its own veterans getting their first taste: Zack Greinke debuted in 2004 and will end the second-longest drought in the Majors, while reliever Joe Smith was the active leader in regular-season games pitched without appearing in the Fall Classic.

The Nationals, who have the oldest roster in the big leagues, have their own group getting the chance to play at this level for the first time: first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, infielders Howie Kendrick and Asdrúbal Cabrera and outfielder Gerardo Parra.

Hear from each of them before the Fall Classic begins:

Ryan Zimmerman: 15 years, 1,689 games (tied for the longest active streak, in years, among position players)

Zimmerman, 35, knows better than any Nationals player just how difficult it is to get to this stage. He endured the 100-loss seasons, last-place finishes and the playoff heartbreak. He has had injuries and age rob him of some top-end performance, limiting him to 52 games in 2019 -- the lowest for a full season in his career.

“I don’t think you ever assume you’re going to get there,” Zimmerman said. “It’s hard. A lot of people play for a long time and don’t even get a chance to make the playoffs, let alone win two series and move on. I don’t think you ever assume as a player. That’s what you work for. That’s why you do stuff in the offseason. That’s why you put your body through what we put it through to play, to have a chance to get here. Everyone kind of knows how hard it is to get there and how lucky you are. You just try to take advantage of it.”

Howie Kendrick: 14 years, 1,596 games

It was almost ripped away from Kendrick, just over a year ago, when he tore his right Achilles’ tendon. The 36-year-old felt fortunate just to be on the Nationals' roster before the season began. Now the National League Championship Series MVP, Kendrick is a key part of this Nats lineup.

“You've got to earn it, man,” Kendrick said. “All the things in the past -- all the failures and losing in the first round, because I've been there, too -- it just makes it sweet because, as we're getting older, the game keeps getting younger.”

Asdrúbal Cabrera: 13 years, 1,660 games

After getting called up to the big leagues for the first time in 2007, Cabrera was a member of an Indians team that made it all the way to the ALCS. He never made it back before this month, and it almost never happened. Cabrera, 33, played the first 93 games of the season with the Rangers before being designated for assignment in August and eventually released. After getting picked up by the Nats, he started in 32 games during the final month and a half for the eventual NL champions. He has transitioned to a bench role during the postseason.

“I’m really excited to be here, to be a part of this team, because it took me 13 years to be here, and I’m glad to be here," Cabrera said. "I’m going to enjoy it.”

Gerardo Parra, 11 years, 1,466 games

Before Parra, 32, became an instant favorite in D.C. -- embraced by both fans and the team as a major part of the turnaround -- he was also DFA'd earlier this season after a slow start for a struggling Giants team. It would have been hard to see what came next, with Parra joining the Nats just before their turnaround began and adding a ton of fun to it along the way with his antics in the dugout, his “Baby Shark” walk-up music, and most important, a few key clutch hits along the way.

“Happy, man. Happy. Blessed.” Parra said. “This is the moment I’ve wanted my entire career, to be in the World Series. I’m working on 11 years in the big leagues to get to this moment. I’m so excited and ready for [Tuesday].”