Hot Take: Bill Nye says Nats will win 2026 World Series

Everybody knows Bill Nye the Science Guy likes science.

If you’re of a certain age, you grew up watching Bill on TV in the mornings or afternoons — teaching science in entertaining and endearing ways. Ways that made kids want to, well, watch a show about science. Bill was fun. Science was fun. You’d routinely come out from watching the program chanting, “Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill!”

But Bill is also a massive baseball fan. Yes, Bill Nye the Baseball Guy.

“I just love being [at the ballpark],” Nye, current head of the Planetary Society, told me in a phone call. “I keep score on a sheet. I really enjoy the game.”

From his childhood days watching Frank Howard stand in the box for the Washington Senators to his years living in Seattle listening to Dave Niehaus broadcast games for the Mariners to the Nats’ 2019 World championship, Nye has experienced all the highs and lows the game has to offer. So we figured he’d be a good guy to talk to about how the game has progressed through the decades. Here’s our conversation — edited for length and clarity.

MLB: What was your first baseball memory? What made you fall in love with the game?

Bill Nye: Well, my first memory is being with my older brother. We went to two games where Frank Howard hit home runs. Howard played for the Washington Senators and he hit 10 home runs in six games. It was a big deal, and we were at two of them. Just because of my brother, my brother was very into it and still is. And then we went to the ’69 All-Star Game and I saw Carl Yastrzemski steal a home run and I saw Willie Mays play. I didn’t really know the significance of it all at the time, but later on I did.

MLB: How are you feeling about the Nationals having James Wood, Dylan Crews — how are you feeling about the rebuild?

BN: The future. The future. Jacob Young, man. I went to this game, a week ago Sunday. They asked me to go: “Are you ready?! Fans everywhere and in the DMV … Are you ready?!! It’s time to play ball!!” It was cool, quite an honor. Anyway, I had a great seat and it was the game the Cubs beat the Nats, 14-1. But who is sitting six or seven seats away from me? Dusty Baker! And then Darren Baker gets a big hit. What does Jacob Young bring to it? What does James Wood bring to it? These guys are playing with joy. That’s my description of it all and it’s really nice.

BN: The other thing about James Wood — he’s from Rockville! Understand, when I was growing up, you’d go to Rockville to go ice skating and go to Ernie’s Pizza. It was like this adventure. So, now there’s a hometown guy.

MLB: Yeah, total five-tool guy. He can run, he can field, he can hit for power.

BN: He’s a lanky, loping guy — he’s just a huge guy that runs.

MLB: With the Nats where they are, any predictions for their next playoff appearance? World Series?

BN: World Series? World Series is 2026. Oh, yeah. Throw one more pitcher in there. Pitching beats hitting.

MLB: Moving off the Nats, what do you think of what Shohei Ohtani is doing? A DH has never won the MVP, if he gets 50-50 — do you think he’s a lock?

BN: Ohtani is the guy, but I don’t like the DH. That’s how old I am. And, you know, I also didn’t like it when guys were expected to pitch nine innings and get crippled. I didn’t like that either. But Ohtani is a hell of a player and he’ll probably be pitching again next year.

Another thing: I would love the Mariners to get up there in the Wild Card. I’ve been a Mariners fan since 1977, and do you know who Dave Niehaus was?

MLB: Yes, of course, great announcer.

BN: Man, he just would make you wanna be there. Such a freakin’ character. “Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it is grand salami time!”

BN: “It will fly, fly away” is a great call too.

MLB: Well, they’re only three games back. They’re still in it.

BN: Yes, I say, I would love it. But it’s not up to me.

MLB: One more question, Bill, since you are a Science Guy. Stats, analysis, sabermetrics are a big part of baseball and have become an even bigger part the last 15 years. What are your thoughts on that taking over parts of the game against traditional, old-school ways?

BN: I think it’s great. What the nerds love about baseball is that every pitch is a statistic. Every pitch contributes to the body of knowledge and the quality of play is very, very high these days. ‘You’re just about the best in the world at what you do, but I tell ya, if you did it my way, you could be a little better.’ I could see where extraordinary athletes would be skeptical. But we ain’t going back. Statistics are gonna be part of the game. I mean, these guys are throwing 100 mph. What is going on? I don’t think I could even drive a motorcycle for fun that fast. It’s just getting harder and harder.

MLB: Thank you, Bill, this has been great.

BN: Thanks so much, oh, and by the way, when you build a new stadium — can you put a freakin’ roof on it? It’s the 21st century, thunderstorms ain’t gonna stop.

MLB: I’ll talk to someone about it.

BN: Well, yeah, for some reason I just haven’t been consulted. It’s weird.

MLB: I’ll see if I can set something up.