Last night, the Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros, officially crowning themselves World Series Champions for the first time in franchise history. After a slow start, the Nationals went on a historic run fueled by incredible team chemistry. From Gerardo Parra and the Baby Shark song to the Homerun dances in the dugout, this was a team that enjoyed each other’s company. They won because they played together.

It is impossible to overlook the fact that this historic run took place the year after Bryce Harper signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. For years, Harper was the face of the Nationals franchise, and many assumed he would be sorely missed in the heart of the lineup. He is not.

Harper felt too big for Washington and has slighted his former city numerous times since moving to Philadelphia. Recognizing how well this Nationals team played without him, it’s impossible not to imagine he was a pariah in the clubhouse that the Nationals organization should’ve gotten rid of sooner. For that reason, this letter is an apology to Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon famously choked Harper in the middle of a game for not hustling down the first baseline. Immediately after, he received an outpouring of criticisms from the media and was released from the Nationals. He has never again stepped foot on a major league mound.

Jonathan Papelbon, as Nationals fans, we are sorry that we ever sided with Harper. He was clearly the force preventing the Nationals team from coming together, and we are sorry that we directed our angst towards you instead of him.