As Nationals fans, we are but flecks of dust blowing in the wind. A tiny, insignificant bit of marginalia scribbled in the tome of baseball lore. That’s what researchers found in a poll released yesterday by AP-AOL Sports.

Out of the 2,002 people polled, the 32 percent that claimed to be baseball fans were asked several questions, including “Which Major League Baseball team do you root for during the regular season?” A whopping one percent claimed allegiance to our Washington Nationals, putting us at the bottom, amidst some pretty sordid company (Diamondbacks, Rockies, Marlins, Royals, Padres, Rangers, Brewers and Blue Jays).

Now before we start getting into all the doom-and-gloom of a worst fans in baseball discussion, let’s take a step back, and take a breath. The sub-set of 774 people that answered the previous question can hardly be considered an accurate, scientific sample of the population. The Nats have existed for all of two seasons, and can’t expect to be competing with the ranks of teams celebrating their centennials. Also, the average RFK attendance of 26,582 isn’t necessarily good, but separates us from the absolute bottom of the barrel, even if some of those in attendance aren’t actually our fans.

Come on, guys, we’re not that bad, are we?

Photo by Jon-Miles