“I think you can have a good meaningful season without making the playoffs this year,” Mike Rizzo said during Spring Training.

Davey Johnson disagreed.

For the 500th time, let me quote his preseason interview with Comcast SportsNet’s Kelli Johnson. The reporter asked the manager if this season would be a failure absent a playoff berth.

“No question in my mind,” the manager said. “You know, and they can fire me...I mean, we should make the playoffs. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

Now, Johnson didn’t exactly remember his quote during the glow of a playoff berth Thursday night.

“I said they could fire me if we don’t win our division,” Johnson argued, incorrectly. “Maybe this counts partial. I’m still on the hot seat. But maybe I get some votes.”

Eh, whatever. And heck, I sure didn’t think this team would be this good. Anyhow, just for fun, let’s look at a few of the more pessimistic blog comments after I posted Johnson’s preseason confidence.

* “Guys, get real and stop the hype....Fans here sound like Redskins fans, every year they talk playoffs and look where it got them.”

* “This team is too young, in my view, to be putting this kind of pressure on itself.”

* “It was good knowing ya, lol!”

* “Next they will be calling themselves the Dream Team. They haven’t proven anything. Maybe they should win a few before all the hype.”

* “I’m surprised we haven’t heard from Rex Grossman that the Nats will win the NL East.”

Well, he was right. The doubters were wrong. Now he doesn’t need to be fired. Lol.

BECAUSE YOU DON’T READ THE PAPER...
Davey’s reaction? “We ain’t done yet.”

Boz’s reaction? “By D.C. standards, this is a ballclub from Mars.”

The Redskins defense is reeling, and is, statistically, one of the NFL’s worst.

D.C. United moved back into playoff position.

TWEET OF THE NIGHT, I
Ozzie Guillen reacts.

congrats nats great job this year good luck rest of the way

— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) September 21, 2012

TWEET OF THE NIGHT, II
Wolf Blitzer reacts.

I'm so happy for my Washington @nationals heading to playoffs. Good to be in @mlb#Natitude

— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) September 21, 2012

TWEET OF THE NIGHT, III
Craig Stammen reacts.

How about that?!!!(mel allen TWIB voice) #Natitude

— Craig Stammen (@cstammen35) September 21, 2012

TWEET OF THE NIGHT, IV
Ryan Mattheus reacts.

Nats fans you are awesome! #bestisyettocome #NATITUDE

— Ryan Mattheus (@RyanMattheus) September 21, 2012

TWEET OF THE NIGHT, V
Ian Desmond reacts.

Thank You guys for all the birthday wishes. I wished for sell out crowds the rest of the season!

— Ian Desmond (@IanDesmond20) September 21, 2012

TWEET OF THE NIGHT, VI
Drew Storen reacts.

Tough to top tonight...made it to matchbox right before they shut down the oven. #killersliders #matchitude

— Drew Storen (@DrewStoren) September 21, 2012

TWEET OF THE NIGHT, VII
Gio Gonzalez reacts.

I've seen some cool things in life, 2C the nats clinch the playoffs is beyond words. 1st experience thank you DC 4 making a lasting one too

— Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) September 21, 2012

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT, I
Kyle Shanahan on Leonard Hankerson:

“He’s not like Niles Paul out there where he’s a trained killer.”

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT, I
Jayson Werth on Davey Johnson:

“When I got here last year, this place was a mess, just upside-down. We had a lot of work to do. At times, it felt like we would never get to this moment....I got to give a lot of thanks and praise to Davey.”

HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Duh.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

(Via @Jfdulac )

WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
The Nats host the Brewers at 7 on MASN2. The Orioles are in Boston at 7 on MASN. Georgetown football is at Princeton at 7 on ESPNU. All TV/Radio listings are here.

RAMS RESPOND TO RGIII
Rams outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar on RGIII saying they played dirty: “I don’t think we’re dirty. I mean, the last time I checked I took a shower a couple times a day. But it is what it is. He has his own opinion about what’s going on. He doesn’t partake in this locker room at all, so he can formulate his own opinions. We’re going to play our style of football. I’m sorry he didn’t like it, and I hope he has a good day.”

OVECHKIN HIGHLIGHT
Alex Ovechkin doing highlight stuff. In Russia. Sad.

Follow us: @dcsportsbog | @sarahkogod | Bog on Facebook