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September 30, 2004
the washington monuments
Yee haw! DC gets the Montreal Expos! This is a sport I may actually go to see. I often go up with Fitz to watch the Orioles play a few times a year. I'm more about the baseball experience rather than the sport. OK, the woofy baseball players too. Considering it may be a short trip on the Green Line from where I currently live, that would be cool.
Now all this crazy talk jibber-jabber about what to name them has come up. Mayor Williams wants to name them after a historic African American baseball team called the Grays. I like the historic link, but Gray is, well, really boring. I think the Expos is just fine, since DC hosts so many expos and conferences. I also suggest The Washington Monuments, where our mascot could be this tough-looking stone colossus. Wait! Howabout using another tough, survivor mascot: the Snakeheads! Or perhaps the Washington Swamp Rats?
Just as long as they don't name them the Ronald Reagan Washington Nationals Baseball Team.
Posted by jimbo at September 30, 2004 1:36 PM
Comments
I've always like the Chocolate City Chips
Posted by: Andy at September 30, 2004 5:07 PM
How about the Pickpockets, since that's what the team owners are doing to DC taxpayers?
Tony Williams could lead a cheering squad called "The Accomplices."
Posted by: John at September 30, 2004 5:47 PM
City support of a sports team is no new thing. The Green Bay Pakers, the only NFL team supported by a city/municipality, is well-received and supported by Green Bay, almost to a cultish degree.
Posted by: jimbo at September 30, 2004 6:23 PM
It's not a new thing but it's not a good thing... basically if the assorted tax revenues don't fall where expected, the city's general fund gets socked for the difference. This was not the case with things like the convention center & MCI Center. Basically major league baseball goes around trying to find cities willing to build them a facility for their own moneymaking. It's a scam. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of baseball in DC, I just think the city's getting hosed on this.
Even better, whereas everybody else gets to at least collect some tax $ from the players (you play a game in California, mr ballplayer has to pay CA taxes on his haul for the night) DC doesn't even get that since it is forbidden by Congress.
Posted by: John at September 30, 2004 8:07 PM
i can't believe that they're tearing down nation, edge, wet, etc to build a baseball stadium... love me some baseball, but enjoy nation far more.
Posted by: usuredo at September 30, 2004 9:51 PM
My favorite suggestion for a team name was from Conan O'Brian, 'The Washington Denzels'. I just thought it was funny *shrug*
I love going to baseball games much more than the sport. I'll follow it, but heaven forbid I am forced to watch a game on TV, I'd rather watch female gymnastics. That sad thing is, I really would.
On the bright side, I know half the ushers that work at the ballparks in Houston and Dallas, I can get my ass sat behind home plate if I ever make the trek! It's fairly easy to do this trick, even if you don't know the ushers, it helps if they are male and you have boobs, but it can still be done, usually using the pity angle. Usually the ushers working the home plate area knows who owns what seats down there, which are never sold, and which will be filled that day/night. Worth a try if you don't mind rejection in the case smooth talking doesn't work.
Posted by: Kevin at October 1, 2004 4:00 AM