As he stepped to the plate in the top of the second Monday afternoon and heard the sustained applause from the sellout crowd at Nationals Park, Michael A. Taylor sheepishly tried to contemplate the appropriate way to respond.

“It’s not something I’ve ever experienced before,” the Pirates center fielder said. “I honestly didn’t know what to do.”

After a few seconds, as the cheer grew louder and many in the crowd of 40,405 rose to their feet, Taylor finally gave a little wave, then stepped out of the batter’s box and doffed his helmet. No one who followed his career here in D.C. could’ve been surprised by the crowd’s enthusiasm or the outfielder’s reluctance to make a big deal out of the moment.

A fan favorite for the majority of his seven seasons with the Nationals, Taylor has never been one to actively seek the spotlight. His childlike facial expressions became memes. His soft-spoken words and genteel demeanor were unique in a clubhouse full of more boisterous teammates.

This, though, was Taylor’s first time back on South Capitol Street with fans in attendance since the 2019 World Series. Though he still played here in 2020, he did so in front of cardboard cutouts. By the time fans were allowed back in the park in 2021, he had moved on to the Royals.