In his two seasons with the team, Willie Harris has come to understand and accept the contrast between how the Washington Nationals view him and how he views himself. He wants to, and believes he can, be one of the lucky players who shows up in the clubhouse and barely has to glance at the lineup card. Harris arrives at the ballpark most days and wonders.

Harris has grown accustomed to a fluid job description, and this season it will include serving as part of a platoon in right field created to replace Elijah Dukes. Harris would like a chance to earn the position full-time, but he realizes the Nationals prefer his versatility. Still, there exists a slim possibility the role could grow into the elusive aim he has wanted his entire career: a regular position.

"In my heart, I'm an everyday player," Harris said. "In my contract, that's not who I am. In their eyes, that's not who I am. That's fine. I love where I'm at. I love what I'm doing for a living. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. But at the same time, I would love to play a lot more. That's not how it goes sometimes."