The story of the 2005 Washington Nationals is now available in Barry Svrluga’s new book, National Pastime, which debuts today. Svrluga, the Nats beat writer for The Post is beloved amongst Nats bloggers for his insightful writing and sardonic wit. Here is what his publisher has to say about the book:

For a moment in the spring of 2005, the political in-fighting, lobbying, and frenetic bustle in the corridors of world power came to a halt. The buzz of baseball excitement took over Washington DC, as for the first time in 36 long years; the national pastime was being played in the nation’s capital. The Washington Nationals began their highly anticipated season, and the magic of baseball was back. Even more exciting, the Nationals were actually good. They began the season on a tear, and by the midway point this group of relatively unknown players (former Montreal Expos, the previous incarnation of the Nationals) had jumped out to a commanding lead in the National League. Although they finished the season out of the playoff race, the Nationals attracted major media attention and developed a tremendous underdog following. Washington Post beat reporter Barry Svrluga has full access to the team, and he’ll spend this season following the ins-and-outs of the Nationals’ first year in Major League Baseball. Svrluga will also chronicle the behind-the-scenes wrangling that took place to bring the Nationals to DC, the intense politics that undermined the existence of a DC team for many years, the bitter resistance by the neighboring Baltimore Orioles, and, most important, the all-out adoration and joy of baseball fans in the region.

Svrluga is expected to have booksignings in the near future, details as they become available.