The Great Ballpark Chase: National Treasure

timothynrussell
Nationals Main Gate
The main gate at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Well, I finally got to finish what I started.

Back in 2016, during the beginnings of the Great Ballpark Chase, my brother and I spent a week in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The Detroit Tigers were in the area for a week and we decided to set up shop as well.

We based ourselves in Baltimore, but went into D.C. several times. The only problem was that the MARC commuter train stops running before the Nationals game would end. The only other option was catching the last Amtrak back into Baltimore, which left at 10 p.m.

It was Max Scherzer‘s first season after leaving the Tigers via free agency. As luck would have it, Scherzer was slated to pitch. The only problem was he pitched too well, striking out 20 as the Nats beat the Tigers, 3-2. Unfortunately, to catch that last Amtrak, my brother and I had to leave in the fifth inning, So, I always joked, we saw about 14 of his 20 strikeouts.

So, it was with great pleasure when I saw that we’d be visiting Nationals Park on Coast 2 Coast Sports Tours’ Hall of Fame Tour in June.

But for a while, there was at least the threat of another failed attempt with rain in the air for most of the day. Luckily, it held off for most of the game, although the last inning or so was played in a downpour. Washington ended up with a 3-0 victory over St. Louis.

Nationals Park, which opened in 2008, can feel a bit bland at times, kind of like being in a drugstore. Although that might be fitting, since the teams’ logo does look almost exactly like drugstore Walgreens. It’s so similar people will joke that it’s Team Walgreens playing at the park.

Nats and Walgreens Logos
A discerning eye will be able to tell the difference between the Nationals logo and that of Walgreens.

The stadium dimensions are 337 feet to left field, 377 to left-center, 402 field to center field, 370 to right-center and 335 to right field. The park seats 41,339.

Other features of the stadium include statues of Walter Johnson, who was part of the original Washington Senators team. Frank Howard was a member of the expansion Washington Senators and Josh Gibson was a member of the Washington Grays in the Negro Leagues.

One of the biggest attractions is the Presidents Race, which is run in the middle of the fourth inning. It features likenesses of former presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. William Howard Taft, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover have also been a part of the festivities, but have since been “retired” to Florida and the Nationals’ spring training complex in West Palm Beach.

The author’s view of the Presidents’ Race at Nationals Park.

Roosevelt, or Teddy as he is nicknamed, has famously not fared well in the races. In fact, he had a winless streak for almost seven seasons. He finally won his first game after the Nats had qualified for the playoffs for the first time. But in further seasons, Teddy has become the lovable loser.

The Nationals are also one of the few stadiums that offers a bullpen cart to bring relief pitchers into the game. It rarely gets used, though, as pitchers prefer to jog into the game. That doesn’t stop the bullpen car from making a tour around the stadium, though.

Bullpen Cart
Seldom used for its intended purpose, the Nationals’ Bullpen Cart still takes the occasional lap around the park.

Once a staple in the 1970s and 80s, the bullpen cart seems to be making a slight comeback. In addition to Washington, the Arizona Diamondbacks have started using one.

Obviously, being in D.C. lends itself to lots of great sightseeing opportunities.

My personal favorite on the National Mall is the Korean War Veterans Memorial. It’s likely because my dad was a veteran of the Korean War. I never got a chance to take him to see the Memorial, but I’ve seen it twice and did bring it to him through pictures.

I’ve only seen it during the day, although I have heard and read it’s very striking and moving at night. It’s quite well done and you feel the soldier statues are actually moving through a rice paddy.

A few of the memorials to take in while in Washington, D.C. From upper left, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the MLK Monument, and the FDR Memorial.

Another favorite is the National Air and Space Museum. The main museum on the Mall is wonderful, but the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia is just as cool. It features the space shuttle Discovery, a Blackbird SR-71, and a Concorde.

Although, my all-time favorite site is probably one that doesn’t exist anymore, the Newseum. It was located just off the mall and featured artifacts related to journalism and newspapers. I have heard they were trying to reopen in a smaller location elsewhere, but not sure if that ever happened.

A fine place to eat is Ben’s Chili Bowl. The original is located 1213 U Street NW, and is about to celebrate 65 years in business on August 22. A second location is on H Street in D.C. as well as outposts at Ronald Reagan National Airport, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and Nationals Park.

Ben’s Chili Bowl is a D.C. institution.

A half smoke is a grilled hot dog, served on a warm, steamed bun with mustard, onions, and their own spicy chili sauce. So, it’s basically a chili dog, but still a staple to try when in D.C.

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell

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