Opening Night tonight was colder than yesterday’s exhibition game in part due to the later start, but also just it being a colder night temperature wise. It was totally worth sticking it out, though, as the game ended with a bang. Lots of people left early and boy did they miss out by not sticking around. The long lines at concessions continued today, but I got to give a big thumbs up to the continued efficiency of the Metro system. They did an awesome job with the bigger crowd tonight before and after the game. In particular, I appreciate that they held the yellow line to Huntington train for some extra time at L’Enfant Plaza to ensure those that just got off from the green line from the stadium were able to make the transfer. That just went above and beyond what I would have expected them to do and greatly increased the speed I got home.
Balloons greeted fans to the park today for Opening Day along with a red carpet with Nats logos and Coca Cola logos. It most definitely is a Coke park.
Opening Day against the Atlanta Braves with First Pitch at 8:15pm. Taken about 4 hours before game.
Official Home of the National Pastime in the Nation’s Capital
I was not planning to get a Build-a-Bear, but I just could not pass up the special Opening Day shirt. I got a bear with the Inaugural Season logo on his foot and the shirt.
Welcome Home still of the video progression they showed of the ballpark being built
They unfurled two giant United States flags in center field and they held them here as the lineups and rosters were announced for both teams and the National Anthem was sung.
Those on the Nats line up ran between the flags to the first base line as they were announced.
President George W. Bush throws out the Ceremonial First Pitch and yes there was a general booing heard from the crowd.
The real first pitch of the game.
Nationals start the season out with 2 runs in the first inning.
Chipper Jones hits the first home run in the Nationals New Stadium to bring the score to 2 to 1 with Nationals still winning in the 4th inning.
Appropriately George Washington wins the first President race at the new ballpark.
Cool promo they gave out after game, which I did pick up. It is a newspaper print of the first pitch. The first thing that made me realize it was most definitely worth sticking it the game even though I was cold.
We were in the only section that had lights not working from above. Kind of odd, but hey it is only Opening Night at the ballpark.
The Braves score a run to tie the game in the top of the ninth forcing a bottom of the ninth. Some people began to leave and many had already left. Boy did they not have faith.
Ryan Zimmerman running the bases after he hit a home run to win the game in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs. First home run by a Nationals player in the new ballpark and a better than Hollywood ending to the first official game in their new stadium.
The team comes out to congratulate Zimmerman as he reaches home plate after hitting the game winning home run.
Final Box Score of an amazing Opening Night that turned out to be an awesome game to attend and worth braving the cold to see it to the end. Now lets root for an awesome season. A World Series win would not be bad, although if the Cubbies play the Nationals in the post season I would have to loyally still root for the Cubs. I have been a Nats fan since they came to the Capital, but I have been a Cubs fan longer and they are still overall my team.
by Sarah Vowell is part history part travel narrative. The book is not exactly focused on D.C., but rather on the author traveling to sites related to the assassinations of three U.S. presidents. As part of this narrative it is only natural that D.C. ends up being mentioned several times. This book is an interesting history about the assassinations, although it sometimes goes off on tangents that can get confusing.
