This Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park, as the last weekday matinee of the season unfolds, fans might witness a poignant moment: Dave Martinez, the Nationals' manager, stepping out of the dugout and walking toward the mound to take the ball from Patrick Corbin. For Corbin, the 35-year-old veteran pitcher, this moment will mark the end of an era—his last start for the Washington Nationals, and perhaps his last in Major League Baseball. His eyes will likely be downcast, knowing it’s time to hand over the ball. Yet, the crowd should rise and give him the ovation he truly deserves—not just for his recent performance, but for his unwavering dedication over the past five seasons.
It's important to acknowledge that Corbin's numbers over the past five seasons haven't been pretty. In fact, statistically speaking, he's been one of the least successful starting pitchers in the game since 2020. His ERA, hits allowed, home runs surrendered—virtually every major pitching metric—paint a picture of struggle. But to reduce his time with the Nationals solely to these numbers would be a grave oversimplification. Corbin's story with Washington is far more nuanced and meaningful, and it’s one that fans, both new and old, should remember.
First, let’s talk about his invaluable contributions in 2019. It was a magical year for the Nationals, a year that culminated in the team’s first-ever World Series title. Corbin wasn’t just a bystander in that journey—he played a critical role. Back then, he was part of a formidable rotation that included Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, a trio that, for a brief moment, was the envy of the league. Corbin pitched 202 innings that season, boasting a solid 3.25 ERA, helping guide the team from a disastrous start to a triumphant postseason run.
One of Corbin’s most memorable performances came during Game 7 of the 2019 World Series against the Houston Astros. The Nationals were down 2-0 when he entered the game in the sixth inning. By the time he finished the eighth, Washington had taken the lead, thanks in part to homers from Anthony Rendon and Howie Kendrick. Corbin’s performance that night is etched in Nationals history, as he helped close out one of the most important games in franchise history.
Reflecting on that fateful game, Corbin said, “You don’t know when you’re ever going to get back to the postseason or have a chance to pitch in those games, so you just try to be available.” And available he was, not just in 2019, but throughout his entire tenure with the Nationals.
If there’s one thing Corbin has mastered over the years, it’s availability. Through good times and bad, he has always taken the mound when asked. Since 2020, no pitcher in baseball has made more starts with a higher ERA than Corbin’s 5.61. He’s also allowed more hits, runs, and home runs than any other pitcher in that span. Yet, through it all, Corbin never wavered. He showed up, every fifth day, rain or shine, win or lose.
“A lot has been said about him, obviously, in the last few years,” said Ryan Zimmerman, a Nationals legend and former teammate of Corbin. “I hope people remember him for what he did.”
What did Corbin do? He was a key part of the most fearsome rotation in baseball at one point. He didn’t just ride the coattails of Scherzer and Strasburg—he was an integral part of that group. He made big plays in critical moments, none bigger than those three clutch innings in Game 7 of the World Series. Corbin helped elevate the Nationals from an underdog to World Series champions.
But his contributions go beyond just that one season. Even as the team transitioned into a rebuilding phase and Corbin’s performance on the mound deteriorated, he remained a constant. He never missed a start, a workout, or a bullpen session. He was always there, setting an example for the younger pitchers who are now stepping into their own roles within the rotation. Players like MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, and others have taken note of Corbin’s professionalism and commitment.
“No matter how good or bad he felt, mentally or physically, he just went out there and took the ball,” said Gore, who views Corbin as a mentor. “That’s been something we’ve been able to learn from him, and I think we’ve done a nice job of that as a staff.”
Let’s face it: being the guy who takes the ball during a rebuild is a thankless task. The Nationals haven’t been competitive for most of Corbin’s time with the team since 2020. Yet, Corbin never shied away from the challenge. He could have faked an injury, taken time off, or even requested a trade. Instead, he chose to stay, knowing full well that each start would likely result in another loss added to his record.
“I hated every second of losing and not pitching well,” Corbin admitted. “But I never thought about sitting out.”
And that is where Corbin’s legacy lies. It’s not just in the highlights of 2019, though that alone would cement his place in Nationals lore. His legacy is also about resilience and professionalism. Few pitchers in recent history have faced as much adversity as Corbin has, and fewer still have handled it with such grace. His refusal to quit, to complain, or to make excuses is something that deserves recognition.
As General Manager Mike Rizzo put it, “It’s a complicated relationship between the D.C. fan base and him. On one hand, he was a top-shelf free agent we wanted to attract here, and we got him. He was a key component of a world championship, the first one in D.C. in forever. And then we go into this rebuild, and he didn’t have nearly the success in wins and losses and ERA. But he [pitched] every fifth day. That’s huge.”
Beyond baseball, Corbin’s contributions to the Washington community are notable. He and his wife, Jen, welcomed their first son in 2021 and their second in July 2023. Corbin has also been involved in charitable efforts, including a six-figure donation to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, where a scoreboard now bears his name.
As Corbin prepares to make his final start for the Nationals, it’s worth reflecting on everything he has meant to the team and the city. Whether he lasts just two innings or goes deep into the seventh, Nationals fans should take a moment to tip their caps to him. He gave his all for six seasons, even when the going got tough. Every fifth day, Patrick Corbin showed up, he cared, and he tried his best.
There’s a certain admiration in that—a lesson for the younger generation of pitchers and, indeed, for anyone facing challenges. Sometimes, simply showing up is the hardest and most important thing you can do. Corbin did that, without fail. And that, more than anything else, may be his lasting legacy.
Login