The First Draft of History

We've given WaPo "beat writer" Chico Harlan good-natured grief from time to time since he inherited the Nats racket from St. Barry of Svrluga, mostly for his habit of writing mini-featurettes in lieu of gamers and pawning the Nats beat off on an intern for stretches last season. But Aaron's redeemed himself with a headfirst dive into the archives, to produce this gem of a post on Washington Spring Training history.

From early success in Phoebus, VA (undiscovered gem of Hampton Roads) through flirtations with cities from Charlottesville to Biloxi to Orlando, and right up to present day Viera, FL (which should be Panera world headquarters, for all the free publicity they've gotten) the Nats Spring Training travails have often been more interesting than the seasons that followed. So read up, and feel free to get a little tingly. Pitchers and catchers report in 3 days!