Sports in D.C.: Washington Nationals #1

Welcome to the 2018 home opening game of the Washington Nationals.

We recently attended the sold-out home opener at Nationals Park.  

The day was sunny but very, very cold, just like the home opener in Yankees Stadium two years ago.  (Why does baseball season start so early?)  We wore layers of clothing and bundled up in our winter coats, hats and gloves and toughed it out.  After all, there is no crying in baseball.

Despite the cold, we enjoyed the return of baseball after a long winter.  Below are some photos.   

On the way to the stadium, we rode the Metro with many Nationals fan clad in red caps and jerseys.

The stadium, Nationals Park, is located in Southeast Washington in an area that has been undergoing redevelopment for more than a decade.  Development is continuing with the construction of new residential, commercial and office buildings.  In the distance, you can see the top of the U.S. Capitol dome. 

After a lot of opening day festivities, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown by a school resource officer from nearby Maryland.  Deputy Blaine Gaskill had quickly confronted a school shooter and prevented further tragedy.  When throwing the first pitch, he threw a strike.

Deputy Blaine Gaskill throwing a strike.

Susan loves free stuff.  So, she was happy to receive a free shirt with the Nats' home schedule.  We plan to attend more games, once the weather improves. 

Susan models the home schedule

The front of the shirt

The Nationals hosted the Mets on opening day, losing 8-2 after Mets outfielder Jay Bruce hit a grand slam in the 7th inning.

P.S.  Baseball is a game of tradition and trivia.  Here is a fun fact that combines both.  The current Washington Nationals team began playing in D.C. in 2005.  The team, the former Montreal Expos, moved to D.C. that year.  

However, the Washington Nationals previously played in D.C.  From 1886 to 1889, the Nationals played near the train station at Swampoodle Grounds.  In the photo below, you can see a Nationals game in progress and the U.S. Capitol in the background.     

By the way, opening day in the 1880's was in late April, not late March.  Baseball was more civilized then.  It's too bad that tradition was not kept.