The team is still finding an identity in this town (or to many denizens, still trying to find the strike zone). They brought promise and relatively cheap entertainment in a region starved for Major League Baseball to only bring losing and frustration. Yet, this Scribe believes that there is hope with the Washington Nationals, even if it might take a little more patience than some are willing to give.
This park was a great place to visit, from its monument facade to its prime location from public transportation to its famous Presidents Race. It was great to see that while the Nationals are trying to build their own history, the franchise felt that it was vital to display the history of the game in Washington as well as around the country. Even their homage to the Negro Leagues - most notably, the Homestead Grays (who also played in Pittsburgh, another city that gave the same respect) - was a pleasant surprise.
If there is something that I really took to, it was that the park itself is at ground level. We didn't use a flight of stairs until we walked to our seats. The park prides itself on this along with being environmentally friendly.
By the time this appears, we'll be on our way back north, but please leave your thoughts and questions.
For more pictures.
Teddy, Teddy, Teddy... someday, you will find the focus and determination to win.
Showing posts with label Washington D.C.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington D.C.. Show all posts
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
National (I)
And so, this is the first truly spring weekend we've had in the northeast. So, it's not hard to imagine all of you east of Ohio and north of the Carolinas soaking in the good weather.
Regardless of your location, take the time later today to check out Nationals Park, the second place in a week that will find Scribe as one of its patrons for the day.
Now, those of you who have followed the blog for a while, you'll ask if I've already been here. Technically, yes since I was able to grab some photos during my vacation last October (see the slideshow). However, stepping inside with the fans is always a different experience and it should be quite fun.
I expect to see a ton of Alexander Ovechkin and Mike Green merchandise today as the Capitals continue the playoff series against the New York Rangers downtown in the Verizon Center.
Also, I'm dying to get the new road jersey (at least the blank).
Regardless of your location, take the time later today to check out Nationals Park, the second place in a week that will find Scribe as one of its patrons for the day.
Now, those of you who have followed the blog for a while, you'll ask if I've already been here. Technically, yes since I was able to grab some photos during my vacation last October (see the slideshow). However, stepping inside with the fans is always a different experience and it should be quite fun.
I expect to see a ton of Alexander Ovechkin and Mike Green merchandise today as the Capitals continue the playoff series against the New York Rangers downtown in the Verizon Center.
Also, I'm dying to get the new road jersey (at least the blank).
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Capital
A few days in the nation's capital and the pictures to prove it.
Actually, the only games in town during the week was a Washington Capitals tilt with the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night and a D.C. United game at RFK Stadium on Thursday. Having arrived at the hotel late on Monday, there was no way I was in the mindset to rush over to the Capitals game (though apparently, it was a goodie) and a chance to dive into some BBQ-basted wings had a greater priority over the United's win over the New England Revolution.
With that said, I was able to check out a couple of the city's sporting venues. The first slideshow is of the Verizon Center. The former MCI Center is celebrating its tenth anniversary and there may not be a better time to do so. The Capitals are enjoying a huge popularity boost off of superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin and the success of last season (which included the Southeast Division title and a tooth-and-nail first round playoff series with Philadephia). The Wizards have made four straight playoff appearances with one of the NBA's top trios in Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas. While no one knows what this year will bring to the capital city, the Center is starting to enjoy the windfall of the teams' successes.
The second slideshow features Nationals Park, home of the city's baseball franchise. Having just opened this year, the Nationals enjoyed an average of 30,000 fans coming to the park and having its own home for years to come. Moving from Montreal not-too-long-ago, the Nationals built this beautiful park along the Anacosta River, but not without controversy. Even if the team is a long way from becoming a playoff contender (thought they are better than many baseball pundits predicted), the organization is run by Stan Kasten, one of the architects of the Atlanta Braves' dominance in the nineties. As they try to rebuild the farm system and open up the wallets a bit, the park will do what Camden Yards in Baltimore hasn't done; keep fans coming.
Both facilities have this in common; the architecture is woven into the city. The brick and layouts are similar to the city's famous monuments. They are essentially large squares and devoid of a ton of glitz and pizzaz, but aestetically clean.
What stuck out the most about the Verizon Center was how it looks like a cross between a block-wide office building and a shopping mall. You have a gym, a Dunkin Donuts and some other stores mixed in with the ticket booths and Metro station. Considering that this is also the Chinatown area, there is always some sort of crowd in the area - tourists visiting the various museums and locals at some of the eateries or shopping around - compared to other arenas in the country that are not surrounded by anything other than parking lots.
As for Nationals Park, this is the only baseball park accessible... by bike? The team build bike racks all around the stadium and even has a bike valet built into the stadium. I enjoyed the home plate entrance as it pays homage to the city's baseball history with both Senators franchises (both which became the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers). Thanks to one of the tour guides/ushers (Frank, I didn't forget you), I was able to get a couple of photos near the field. As we talked, he mentioned that HOK Sport borrowed elements of two of their other stadiums, Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park and Pittsburgh's PNC Park. Can you see which ones?
At some point, captions will be added to all photos so that each has a greater context. However, I'm on my way to Atlantic City for tonight's Pavlik-Hopkins fight (expect a post about that very early tomorrow morning before heading to the Giants game). Until then, stay tuned.
Say What?!?!: Speaking of those Wizards, this is one of the best online ticket sales promotions you will ever see.
Actually, the only games in town during the week was a Washington Capitals tilt with the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night and a D.C. United game at RFK Stadium on Thursday. Having arrived at the hotel late on Monday, there was no way I was in the mindset to rush over to the Capitals game (though apparently, it was a goodie) and a chance to dive into some BBQ-basted wings had a greater priority over the United's win over the New England Revolution.
With that said, I was able to check out a couple of the city's sporting venues. The first slideshow is of the Verizon Center. The former MCI Center is celebrating its tenth anniversary and there may not be a better time to do so. The Capitals are enjoying a huge popularity boost off of superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin and the success of last season (which included the Southeast Division title and a tooth-and-nail first round playoff series with Philadephia). The Wizards have made four straight playoff appearances with one of the NBA's top trios in Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas. While no one knows what this year will bring to the capital city, the Center is starting to enjoy the windfall of the teams' successes.
 |
| Verizon Center |
The second slideshow features Nationals Park, home of the city's baseball franchise. Having just opened this year, the Nationals enjoyed an average of 30,000 fans coming to the park and having its own home for years to come. Moving from Montreal not-too-long-ago, the Nationals built this beautiful park along the Anacosta River, but not without controversy. Even if the team is a long way from becoming a playoff contender (thought they are better than many baseball pundits predicted), the organization is run by Stan Kasten, one of the architects of the Atlanta Braves' dominance in the nineties. As they try to rebuild the farm system and open up the wallets a bit, the park will do what Camden Yards in Baltimore hasn't done; keep fans coming.
 |
| Nationals Park |
Both facilities have this in common; the architecture is woven into the city. The brick and layouts are similar to the city's famous monuments. They are essentially large squares and devoid of a ton of glitz and pizzaz, but aestetically clean.
What stuck out the most about the Verizon Center was how it looks like a cross between a block-wide office building and a shopping mall. You have a gym, a Dunkin Donuts and some other stores mixed in with the ticket booths and Metro station. Considering that this is also the Chinatown area, there is always some sort of crowd in the area - tourists visiting the various museums and locals at some of the eateries or shopping around - compared to other arenas in the country that are not surrounded by anything other than parking lots.
As for Nationals Park, this is the only baseball park accessible... by bike? The team build bike racks all around the stadium and even has a bike valet built into the stadium. I enjoyed the home plate entrance as it pays homage to the city's baseball history with both Senators franchises (both which became the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers). Thanks to one of the tour guides/ushers (Frank, I didn't forget you), I was able to get a couple of photos near the field. As we talked, he mentioned that HOK Sport borrowed elements of two of their other stadiums, Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park and Pittsburgh's PNC Park. Can you see which ones?
At some point, captions will be added to all photos so that each has a greater context. However, I'm on my way to Atlantic City for tonight's Pavlik-Hopkins fight (expect a post about that very early tomorrow morning before heading to the Giants game). Until then, stay tuned.
Say What?!?!: Speaking of those Wizards, this is one of the best online ticket sales promotions you will ever see.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Major
Two months ago, I went on a mini road trip to Washington, D.C. with friends to attend the Nationals' final home game at RFK Stadium. Though the team didn't have much of a history there - remember, they were the former Montreal Expos - they have brought a little bit of spirit in a town that wants something else to talk about besides government, government and... should Hall-of-Fame coach Joe Gibbs be fired after this season. It was great to come back to the nation's capital after nearly a decade since my last visit, but it was even better to be able to enjoy a baseball game outside of the hometown.
Besides the Presidential Race that Teddy Roosevelt has yet to win, what I enjoyed the most about being at RFK was the genuine happiness many fans felt to have the game in their city. Despite the political wrangling around the new ballpark being built along the Anacosta River, there's a definite excitement within Washington, D.C. as folks are starting to believe that the city is a major sports town again. Yes, this is always going to be a city that starves for another Super Bowl title, yet with a young star in the Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin, a strong fan base for DC United, the Wizards going for a third straight playoff appearance (though it'll be harder without Gilbert Arenas) and the new digs for the improving Nationals, our capital has returned to the big time.
Below is a link to some photos of that game against the Phillies. These aren't exactly going to be in any museums or even a high school photography class, but think of these as reminders that sports exist outside of where we live... and there's nothing wrong with that.
Phillies-Nationals
New Nationals Park
Oh, and happy holidays/days off from work.
Besides the Presidential Race that Teddy Roosevelt has yet to win, what I enjoyed the most about being at RFK was the genuine happiness many fans felt to have the game in their city. Despite the political wrangling around the new ballpark being built along the Anacosta River, there's a definite excitement within Washington, D.C. as folks are starting to believe that the city is a major sports town again. Yes, this is always going to be a city that starves for another Super Bowl title, yet with a young star in the Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin, a strong fan base for DC United, the Wizards going for a third straight playoff appearance (though it'll be harder without Gilbert Arenas) and the new digs for the improving Nationals, our capital has returned to the big time.
Below is a link to some photos of that game against the Phillies. These aren't exactly going to be in any museums or even a high school photography class, but think of these as reminders that sports exist outside of where we live... and there's nothing wrong with that.
Phillies-Nationals
New Nationals Park
Oh, and happy holidays/days off from work.
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