At last, baseball in D.C.
I always thought it cruel irony that major league baseball fled my hometown of Washington -- technically, I grew up across the river in Alexandria, Va. -- the year I was born. I could read about the long-gone Senators, but never see them in person.
Now it's time to trade in the Expos for Senators III. On visits to my old home, I'll be able to see the Nats at RFK, then at a new ballpark in what surely will become a revitalized section of D.C. And I don't care if it's a team with little talent beyond Jose Vidro. That'll change eventually, and I'm patient. It'll give me time to get over my painful, lifelong devotion to the Phillies.
But, I'm still willing to entertain the debate: Does Washington deserve a third try at big-league baseball?
I'm biased, obviously, but as I've tried to explain to a colleague who fears his beloved Baltimore Orioles are going to suffer immensely by losing the Washington market, don't judge D.C. by Senators I or II. These are much different times than 1961 and 1971 in the nation's capital. Say hello to population and economic booms.
It's a shame Orioles owner Peter Angelos had to be bought off to make this possible, but I believe both franchises can thrive 40 miles apart.
Montreal certainly didn't deserve to keep the team. And where else were they going to move? Portland, Ore.? Norfolk? Kernersville? I don't think so.
Next question: How soon before the Expo-Senators have a cable superstation so I can watch them from Greensboro?