The ballplayer’s life is transient, and fans understand this. Yet it still stings when a fan favorite takes their leave.

And when that departing player is responsible for a viral championship rallying cry? It doesn’t just sting — it bites.

So it goes with Nats outfielder Gerardo Parra, who signed this week with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. Parra, you’ll recall, was the guy who changed his walkup music to the ear worm known as “Baby Shark” on June 19. He had been 0 for 23. The result was a 2-for-4 night.

It became a thing among the fans, because obviously. Then it became a weird, wonderful anthem for the Nats’ unstoppable postseason.

Hot sports take: Parra’s gone, but “Baby Shark” shore ain’t fin-ished in this town.

Below are some of the moments that cemented the song’s place in D.C. sports lore.