Baseball
Thomas Boswell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 15, 2005; 11:00 a.m. ET
Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell was online Friday, April 15, at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. ET to talk about Thursday night's Nationals' home opener and his recent columns.
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The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Washington, D.C.:
Tom, WHAT A GAME! I think everyone not wearing a Diamondback uniform wanted Hernandez to finish that 1-hit shutout he carried into the 9th. Imagine the story if he'd pulled it off!
I am worried about the new stadium, though. Between the D.C. City Council members trying to shove the CFO to raise his estimate just to scuttle the deal, and the misguided (the most polite language I can come up with) people who just think they can magically put the stadium fund into schools that already spend more per student than anywhere else in the country (perhaps they should learn some economics; the money can't be raised except to INVEST in a ballpark to raise revenue), do you think that this city that continues electing a certain former convict/mayor will find a way to screw this up too?
Tom Boswell: No, I don't think it will get screwed up. In the last couple of weeks, we've had ket developments, including the D Bank offer of $246M in funding and an excellent plan (I suspect) from Herb Miller, who's very creative, to kick in $200M if he's allowed to develop 1M square feet of space on the 20 acre site. There are too many outside options of SIGNIFICANT money from non-D.C. source for the obscructionists to carry the day.
UNLESS attendance is terribel this year. Hmmmmm, team President Tony Tavares told me last night that the Nationals just sold their $2 millionth ticket yesterday. That's 25,000-a-game already in hand.
The baseball train has left the station and we're on it. We're just going to have to learn to cope with it!
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Anonymous:
Should Levan have plunked someone after Vidro got plunked? I think so.
Tom Boswell: Ahhh, the series with the Diamondbacks is young. F Robby is old school. I suspect that this affront to Mr. Castilla's attempt to complete the cycle with the president on hand will not go unnoticed. If not this weekend, then eventually. Baseball is a game with multi-year memories.
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Washington, D.C.:
Tom,
Why didn't Livan Hernandez drill the first Diamondback he faced after what happened to Vinny Castilla??
Tom Boswell: No brawls on Opening Night (or in a World Series). On Saturday and Sunday we revert to Normal Baseball. A lot will depend on whether the Nats thought it actuually "slipped." Which happens. But it didn't look that way. Castilla had tripled in two runs on an outside pitch and hit a two-run homer on an inside pitch. To Arizoan, he probably "looked to comfortable up there."
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Alexandria, VA:
Boz,
Can we spearhead a public-service campaign to get people to stop chanting "O" during the star-spangled banner. And while we're at it, let's get rid of the ridiculous ThunderStix too.
Keep up the great work.
Tom Boswell: I missed that.
Well, if they chant "O," then one second later everybody else should chant, "NO!"
Not anti-Oriole. Just gotta establish which ballpark is whose.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
I was at the game last night. It seemed like D.C. has some very knowledgeable baseball fans. People weren't just happy to have a team, but really following the action and understanding the strategies of the game. I know it is tough to say after just one game, but in your opinion how will D.C. compare to other baseball towns?
Also, I hope they find away to incorporate the bouncing stands into the new stadium. True D.C. flavor -- bouncing stands to the GoGo beat.
Tom Boswell: Lots of players were impressed, especially since Opening Day and post-season crowds are usually the LEAST savvy baseball fans and have the highest percentage of people with "connections" to get tickets. Last night's crowd will almost certainly be the DUMBEST of the entire season. And they were smart!
I'll be very interesxted to see the size and baseball IQ of the crowds on Saturday and Sunday. For every team every year, those are THE worst attendance days. Whatever we draw the next two games against a team that lost 11 games last year will be the first litmus test of bedrock, hardcore, can't-drive-'em-away-with-a-stick baseball interest. (I'll be there with the family Saturday, I suspect.)
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Washington, D.C. :
Thomas,
I caught one of your radio interviews yesterday and was not very impressed. Why did you assume only fair weather fans would be at the game last night. As a die hard fan myself I would have found it impossible to miss the first home game. I mean any time two teams aces go head to head it would be a pretty good time for a true fan to stay home.
Tom Boswell: I could be wrong.
I don't usually do many interviews. You tend to say dumb things or things you don't QUITE believe. And I did several yesterday. Out of character.
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Section 213:
Tom,
I am a season ticket holder and attended last night's home opener. All in all, a great experience, topped off with a terrific win. I would like to make one comment and hopefully not sound like an old fogey.
The opportunity to talk about the game between innings with your seatmates is being ruined by the extremely loud music that starts the instant the last out is made and continues until the batter is stepping into the box. I don't mind if management thinks it needs to play music to appeal to the younger patrons, but for those of us who come to the game to spend a relaxing couple of hours watching the game unfold (and talk about the great plays, good pitching, clutch hitting)it diminishes the experience when they try to replicate an NBA game.
Hey, Nationals management - Please turn down the volume a notch (or two). Thanks!
Tom Boswell: I agree. We need to make the Nationals experience the opposite of the current Redskins "experience." Of course, the OLD Redskins experience was fabulous.
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Ashburn, Va.:
What was the first thought to go through your mind when the stadium started shaking?
Tom Boswell: Wait until they REALLY learn how much they can shake it!
The new park, if possible, should have that unique swing-and-sway quality that (I think) only RFK has to this degree.
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Staunton, Va.:
RFK Stadium looked so good last night, that it made me wonder: Is there any chance they can stretch out construction of the new ballpark for a couple years, to make up for all the "lost years" at RFK?
Tom Boswell: Talked to a member of a potential ownership group yesterday on their guess at a stadium opening date. For '08, no way. For '09, probably. For '10...it could actually take that long if they don't start hustling."
You're going to see plenty of RFK. But, if an honorable group buys the team, they will pour plenty of money down the RFK rat hole to improve the fan experience each year. THEY MUST. It's a pure seed-corn business decision. (As well as the right thing to do.)
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Alexandria, Va.:
Tom,
Awesome time last night. A beautiful spring evening in the nation's capital. Metro was crowded, but not too bad as I headed to the game with my friends. I love how RFK has a Metro stop right at the stadium. Getting into the stadium was a bit rough, what with all the security and what not, but folks didn't really seem to mind. Getting home was a bit rougher, but my friends live on the Hill, so we walked back instead of trying to get on Metro (and my very understanding wife drove the 10 minutes from Alex. to D.C. to pick me up). We had great seats, upper deck behind homeplate. A few kinks need to be worked out by stadium staff (hint - it's not a good idea to run out of beer or hot dogs during the 3rd inning), but considering how long we've waited for a team, I'm not complaining. The Nats won the game, 5-3, but that was only part of the story. The big story is that baseball's back, baby!!
Tom Boswell: Metro didn't open until '76. That is The Biggest reason that attendance will probably exceed expectations. Everybody who ever came to a Redskins or United game knows how easy, clean, safe the Metro is.
Plus, the 9,000 parking places is above average. RFK is actually a convenient ballpark in that sense. (Okay, NONE are very convenient if the crowds are 35,000+.)
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Davidsonville, Md.:
Nobody seems to be addressing this. I live in Anne Arundel County but could not get the game on TV. Could anyone in the D.C. Area get the game? I have D.C. Fox 5 and all the channels.
Tom Boswell: I spoke to Tony Taveras about the Anne Arundel County problem last night. The county's population of 500K+ is only sligfhtly smaller than all of the District (560K). He said he hadn't heard about it, was immediately concerned and would look into it.
He better. I GET ZERO Nats games on TV at my house. (Did Peter just draw a circle around my house during negotiations with Bud? Tavares sxaid he thought that was quite possible. ;-)
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Hyattsville, Md.:
What do you think is the optimum number of seats for the new stadium? Do you think it should hold more than RFK's baseball configuration. And if there's little parking, how will metro deal with the crowds?
Tom Boswell: 38,000 to 42,000. Don't swamp downtown. Keep the place full. The smaller the park, the more intimate EVERY seat becomes. The architect can make everything that much closer.
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Williamsburg, Va.:
Even though it would have been incredible if Livan had finished the game a shut out and Vinny had hit for the cycle, don't you think the team's collective ego needed to be brought down just a little bit? They have a long season, and they have some kinks to work out if they are going to win it. Specifically Guzman. Hopefully he improves soon.
Tom Boswell: Hey, you didn't really want the first game to be PERFECT, did you? That's not baseball. In fact, it was VERY baseball that Castilla got drilled and Hernandez got tired enough to give up a three-run homer and scare everybody. It's a tough game. And it's doesn't have "plot." It's just real.
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Washington, D.C.:
Do you think the team would be better off with Wilkerson in the 3 hole and Vidro at lead-off? It seems that Vidro is more selective of a hitter and the Wilkerson has better pop.
Tom Boswell: Wilkerson strikes out far too much to hit 3rd or 4th and knows it. (152 last year) You'd have to hit 45 homers to counterbalance that. But you can hit No. 1 or No. 5 and Ks don't hurt the team as much. At 3-4, you have tons of runners on base and you need to put the ball in play.
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Washington, D.C.:
Thanks for answering my first question. I was born on April 3, 1972: the first modern Opening Day without Baseball in D.C. I've been impatiently withholding my money from MLB for years because they refused to give me a team. Now I have my Nats! I'm on that train -- a pretty "Big Train" in my thinking -- for the LONG haul. As a D.C. taxpayer and voter, no councilmember that gets in the way of this stadium deal will ever get my vote again.
Tom Boswell: Nice question.
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Boston, Mass.:
Is RFK on a METRO line?
Will the new stadium have its own subway stop (like we do here in Boston for important locations)?
Come to Fenway. We'll see if the Nats are really just GNats.
Tom Boswell: Gosh, we're just a little hick town. How could we have anything as good as Boston?
Actually, our Metro is better than yours. And, yes, I take it to Fenway.
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The home of the Nationals:
Sat more or less right below you last night -- great seats despite what you said last week -- although a few rows further back could be less so. I too am so pleased at how most if not all of my neighboring season-ticket holders are real baseball fans. My immediate neighbors were keeping a box score -- how wonderful! I'm starting with the next game. And how wonderful that we can actually bring our dinner and water -- we sat down and didn't get up until the end! By the way, I loved when the Senators took the field with the corresponding position National player's glove -- that was a very, very simple and classy move. I describe the situations this way: I have pretty good seats, to a pretty good team, with pretty good pitching, and pretty good defense, and pretty good hitting. And in some ways, that adds up to spectacular!
Tom Boswell: I loved the long conversation between Jose Guillen and my old hero Roy Sievers in rightfield. They talked so long, laughing, that Sievers had to do a gimpy trot to get off the field before the first inning beagn. Would love to have heard that conversation.
Actually, the Nats have a well above average fielding team. The spectacular play by Nick Johnson at first on the smash over the bag and a nice stop at third by Castilla are their norm. So far this year, the Nats have allowed the least stolen bases in baseball: 2. Only 4 attempts. Nobody even tries to run on Schneider. He's the best, period. Threw up 47% and 48% of runners last year. And only the fastest even try against him.
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Arlington, Va.:
Not only is the music too loud between innings, the fact that they played music after big hits was worse. The crowd should be able to chant "Vin-NIE, Vin-NIE" or some such thing after big hits, not be forced to listen to canned music.
If nothing else, though, turn it down! I was deafened more than once last night.
Tom Boswell: The team needs to work out the "tacky" factor. I'll try to make that point.
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Washington, D.C.:
Great game last night! First time since '33 a Washington baseball team has finished the day alone in first place.
One critique. I'm an outfield upper-deck guy. Instead of the "K-Count" they should put up who's batting, the current hitter's stats, and flash other info, such as pitch count. We can't see the Jumbotron or scoreboard in the outfield upper-deck.
And for the record, I booed and will continue to boo that Orioles "O" during the National Anthem. It's our ballpark. Leave that stuff in Camden Yards!
Go Nats!
Tom Boswell: RFK MUST get much more info and many more replays to its fans as fast as possible. Right now, it's terrible. (The only press box in America without any TVs! The Nats PR guy said, "Hey, just tell me which plays you want to see and I'll re-enact it for you."
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Reston, Va. - concession comment:
Concessions in my opinion were not as bad as everyone said. Anyone who has been to any kind of game at any stadium knows the food is overpriced and underwhelming. My $5 beer and my $4 hot dog were not that great of course, but who cares? My feeling is some of these folks commenting on the concessions prices were used to nickel beer and quart tickets.
OH WELL, BASEBALL IS BACK IN DC!
Tom Boswell: At least they're letting fans bring food and bottled water into the games. If you don't like lines, you don't have to stand in them
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Alexandria, Va.:
Fantastic time last night! Yes, security was a drag and yes -- they did run out of mustard by the 6th inning but those are kinks that can be worked out. Easily. Great atmosphere and a fabulous team! I do have one suggestion for Metro: how about express buses to L'Enfant and Metro Station to ease the congrestion at the metro stop? Just a thought ...
Tom Boswell: Some may not know it, but the level of security was ONLY because the president was at the game. It is NOT a problem at normal regular season games.
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Downtown 6th and D, NW:
Do you think it would be better for DC United to play their home games at that little soccer field on the U of M campus? It's big enough to support their fans and it is strictly used for soccer -- there wouldn't be complaints from the DC United players. The bonus would be that the grounds crew wouldn't have "turnover" issues readying RFK for baseball after a soccer match.
Is there anyone on the farm who can handle middle relief? Josh Karp maybe?
Tom Boswell: Middle relief is very thin. Osuma has bombed. If that doesn't get fixed, it'll bite pretty soon.
Everyboldy is worried about the baseball/soccer mix. Soemday this will be great for D.C. United because a 24,000-seat stadium is supposed to be built for them across the Anacostia from the new baseball park. But that's a long way off. This will be a "continuing story."
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Frederick, Md.:
The first real test of Nats' fandom will come September 11. The Nats are home that day against Atlanta, and the Redskins open the season at Fed-Ex Field against the Chicago Bears. Both games start at about the same time (the Nats at 1:05, the Skins at 1:00). The two teams will also play overlapping home games on October 2.
My question I guess, is two-fold: Will anyone actually go to see the Nats once the Redskins start playing? If they do, will the Beltway and Metro be able to handle all of the traffic?
Being a Major League town is going to take some getting used to, I guess.
Tom Boswell: Baseball teams don't expect to draw well head-to-head with the 2-3 NFL home games with which they conflict. They shouldn't. Go to, or watch, the Redskins game. I would. There are 162 baseball games, 16 NFL games. One is 10 times as importgant in the standings as the other. Speaks for itself.
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Dusseldorf, Germany:
Perfect dimensions. What are your thoughts on keeping the new stadium playing field with the exact same dimensions as RFK? Freakish dimensions seem so silly for a city obsessed with the balance of government.
Tom Boswell: I like slightly freakish dimension. Why not, next year, DUPLICATE the dimensions of Griffith Stadium __including the rightfield wall__ INSIDE RFK!? It can be done.
If it stinks, tear it down after one season. Not very costly to do. This is a borrowed idea from a smart fella who may actually be in a position to do it.
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Alexandria, Va.:
Hey Thomas,
I'm under the deck at RFK with season tix -- section 312. Overall experience was great for the game ... but a couple of improvements need to be made.
Fans under the deck can't see the Jumbotron ... well, that's why our seats are slightly cheaper. However -- the TV screens down there were snow -- so you miss that part of the experience -- can anything be done by that.
Secondly -- what's the deal with the horrible scoreboards on the outfield walls -- tiny type -- nobody under the deck could read the score / pitch count without binocs?
And, total agreement on the volume level and the thundersticks earlier ... take it down a notch!
Any idea who can help with these nits?
Tom Boswell: "What's with the horrible scoreboards..."
Dude, RFK is still in a 1971 timewarp. It BETTER get better.
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Arthur Avenue, NYC:
Who will become the arch rival of the Gnats? The Mets? The Cubbies? The O's, Yankees or the truly evil Red Sox?
I can see a "Acela" rivalry amongst the Gnats, Mets, Phillies, Yanks, Os, and Sawx
-Devoted Yankee Fan
Tom Boswell: One of the Nationals advantages is that they have several NATURAL rivals. Especially the O's, probably starting next year. Mets and Phils are rivals because they're close, like the Eagles and Giants to the 'Skins. And the Braves and Marlins are rivals because they are GOOD, though distant, like the Cowboys to the 'Skins.
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Santa Rosa, Calif.:
What if the Nats are in a wild card race on September 11th? Imagine that with a Redskins game going on.
Tom Boswell: If you consider being a couple of games over .500 and five games out of the wildcard on 9/11 as being "in it," and plenty of fans do, then that's actually conceivable. (If they stay as healthy as they were injured last year.)
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Metro and the Park:
For the punk from Boston, yeah, there is a T-stop near the park, and there is also a stop named "Fenway". But, as is typical for Boston, they aren't the same stop; you have to use the Kenmore Square stop to get to Fenway Park (which is perplexing for many visitors). Oh, and the Green line that that station is on is a glorified streetcar, rather than a sleek heavy rail line like Metro is. Both RFK and the new stadium site have very good transit access.
Tom Boswell: Thanks.
And every time I left Fenway after every post-season game in recent years I've assumed I had a 10% chance of being hospitalized by the minority of sociopaths who pose as fans and turn Kenmore into their own "wilding" zone.
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Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.:
No question, just a comment: I know how long you have been waiting to write the column you wrote for this morning's paper. I woke up this morning looking forward to reading your take on yesterday (and the 3 decades leading up to it).
Thank you for a great column!
Tom Boswell: I had 31 seasons covering baseball to think up a lead for today's story. And that's the best I could do? I'd say I went 1-for-4 with a walk and no runs produced.
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Ashburn, Va.:
Hey Tom, how are the sightlines for baseball at RFK? On TV, it seemed like the upper deck seats in the outfield are miles away. I'm hoping it's not as far as the upper deck of the Vet in Philly was.
Tom Boswell: MUCH better than the Vet which was a far bigger stadium. My biggest shock so far, as someone who frequently sat in the upper deck throughout high school and college, is that they are MUCH better seats than I remembered. Anybody who doesn't roam the upper deck and check ticket prices there is missing an oportunity.
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Washington, D.C.:
How great is it that after the home opener we just miss seeing a one hitter and the cycle, and we're deep into who should get drilled and how soon??? Real baseball! Meant to be!!
Tom Boswell: What made me happiest last night was not the nostaglia, symbolism, president and all the rest. I was genuinely moved that a real quality baseball game was played. It was not "the greatest game ever played." It was simply a VERY good baseball game. BUT, believe it or not, NOT as exciting as at least 5 previous Nats nail-bitters already this season.
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Yardley, Pa.:
Tom:
Two quick questions:
1. Your thoughts on what's been done with the DC Hall of Stars?
2. Given Peter Angelos' recent behavior, which has alienated a lot of people who might otherwise be neutral, would it make sense for the Nats to play up any relationship - good or ill - with the Birds? I could, for example, envision a Veeckian "Oriole Demolition Night" where fans coming to RFK would receive some trinket (not pantyhose, hopefully) in exchange for their O's gear, which could then be ceremoniously destroyed.
Tom Boswell: 1) It sucks.
2) "Oriole Demolition Night!" It may come to that. However, I'm not in that camp. I'm going to Camden Yards tonight to sit in my own seats (yes, I'm still paying Amgelos) to see the Yankees and O's.
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Upper Deck:
Section 504, First game on Sunday. It feels like a first date. What about autographs at RFK? What's the history. Do you have to be at the dugout to stand a chance of getting autographs for the kids (big and small)?
Tom Boswell: These guys WANT to sign autographs and, as caoch Tom McCraw says, "Marry the town." The best place in most parks is to find the players exit game and get them to sign there about 30-45 minutes after the game. Some sign along the railing before the games.
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Germantown, Md.:
Alright, Tommy Boy ...... be honest. Is this team better than everybody expected? or is this just a blip?
Tom Boswell: They're not better than I expected (and wrote from Florida). But they're not a contender, IMO. A very hard-working, close-knit and motivated team which has matured, added a few solid pieces. HOWEVER, I must admit that several players, as well as Robinson, seem to think this team is special and may stay in the race. Even in spring training, I kept saying to myself, "Man, these guys are confident. What do they know that I don;t know." I doubt that they'll live up to their own expectation s, but it's nice that they have them. And I'd be gald to be wrong.
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Baltimore, Md.:
Hey Tom,
Up here in Charm City; where the whining has really hit fever pitch. Let me tell you from this perspective; Angelos' pettiness has harmed the once proud Orioles franchise much more than the mere presence of the Nats ever could have. He is a myopic man who thinks that litigation and brinksmanship can win every battle; it is all he knows. He really misplayed this one; much less leverage than he really believes he has, as the owners will not let him devalue the Nats further prior to sale. He should embrace the new rivalry and welcome the Nats, not because he's a nice guy, but because it's smart business.
Tom Boswell: I'm over Angelos. Enough with the guy. Get the Nats-on-TV stuff solidified and then lets go on to more interesting subjects. And almost any subject is more interesting than Peter.
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Concession comment:
Yes, great to have baseball back in DC and look forward to attending 20-plus games. But let's not sugar coat the concession nightmare last night. This was not, as the Post reported, a "minor glitch." Hundreds, probably thousands, of fans waited in concession lines for 30-40 minutes only to be told the stand was out of hot dogs, beer, pizza whatever, and this was by the third inning! There were no vendors to be found in the upper levels and it looked like few below. No hot dogs or beer in the stands. Aramark need to seriously reconsider its approach to RFK. I don't recall these problems when the Redskins played to sold out houses at RFK.
Tom Boswell: I never saw so many people in such long lines. I felt like screaming at 'em, "Sit down and watch the damn game. You can't be THAT hungry." Talk about a nation with the munchies. You can BYO, to a degree. On night when there figure to be 35K+, factor in the concession lines.
This team does not have an OWNER. It is run by MLB and DC bureaucrats. What do you expect? I mean, could you pick a lower standard? Murphy's Law will rule. Bring some sandwiches and bottled water. Sit in your nice seat, watch your nice team on its pretty field and have a good time. (Or don't.) But don't bitch.
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Washington, D.C.:
I was at the game and I thought a few times the fans didn't applaud at the right time. Like, for example, shouldn't Nick Johnson get a nice round of applause when he comes to the plate right after making a Gold Glove caliber play at first?
Maybe it was just one of those opening night crowds, like you said.
Or maybe as a baseball town we're still getting our sea legs under us.
Plenty of excitement though! Loved it!
Tom Boswell: The crowd was good. Much better than expected. That was the "news." But it wasn't great by any means. Plenty of work to do on 'em. That's part of the fun. We grow as sharp fans as they grow as a team.
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Washington, D.C.:
Tom, I am a former O's fan (due to Angelos' ruining to the team) and I remember another special team. The '89 O's with Robinson as skipper. This reminds me of the the old days at Memorial Stadium. Good times.
Tom Boswell: You can have an absolutely great time in an old dumpy ballpark. Like Memorial Stadium where I have some of my favorite memories. RFK does not limit the possiblity of "good times."
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Confident:
From your description, the Nats sound like the Marlins of a couple years ago ... and you don't have to win the division to win it all.
Tom Boswell: When a team with a chip on its shoulder __and the Nats have logs on their shoulders__ gets off to a good start and begins to setttle some old scores, it can be fun.
EVERY YEAR there are "surprise teams" that shock everybody by staying in contention for 100-to-110 games, then hit the wall. Another 3-4 weeks of good play and a foundation may be built for Nats fans may have this experience in '05.
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Logan Circle, Washington, D.C.:
I know the DC United players dislike the new mixed-use RFK, but last night was my first non-concert experience and not only will I be bouncing this season with the Nats but I'll be back to bounce with the United because it's just so much fun, fun, fun.
Agree new stadium should have the swing-and-sway ... by then we all will be craving it.
I see Patterson is getting the nod instead of Day on Saturday. If he has another good outing, do you make Day the spot starter if he has another subpar start?
Tom Boswell: Patterson is a big 'ol Texas guy with a good head, but a little edge __which I like. Believe me, the Nats will need all six of their current credible starters.
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Lanham, Md.:
Tom,
It's been a long time since the Redskins played night games at RFK. Do you know who will be responsible for security to and from Stadium/Armory. I ask because I was mugged and robbed on New Year's Eve at New Carrolton at 6:45 in the evening on the steps of metro, and they are not responsible. I took a total of 17 stitches and metro cannot be held responsible for instance at the metro stops nor on the trains. I say this becuase it is a rough area by the stadium and people should be aware of their souroundings to and from the games.
Bill
Tom Boswell: Excuse me. I was born, grew up and lived in various places in N.E. within 20 blocks of RFK until I was 40. I go back to Capital Hill frequently. Give me a break on the "danger." NOT A PROBLEM.
As to New Carrolton ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, do you think the date might have had something to do with it? All the amateur drunks are out on 12/31. (Sorry about your 17 sticthes.)
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Washington, D.C.:
Want to echo an earlier compliment. For me, your columns are in a small group of "musts" along with ... first glimpse of the field, box scores, Jon Miller's voice, and wearing a mitt in the bleachers. Great work over an entire career. Thank you.
Tom Boswell: Ok, just this once I'll print one of these. But no more.
That's it for this chat. But the Sports section incorrectly stated this a.m. that my chat was at 1 p.m.
So, I'll come back at 1 for another 20 minutes so people don;t get stiffed. And I may answer some more of these questions. I LOVE the questions here, read them all and get some very good ideas from you folks. It's appreciated. There is NOTHING that a writer needs more than fresh ideas. You're helping me. Thanks.
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Washington, D.C.:
If security was only for the president, that should have been on the Web site and made known to the papers. I checked the Nationals Web site and the Post in the late afternoon to see if we could expect higher than normal security waits and saw nothing. Really bummed to show up early (or as early as I have for playoff games in other stadiums) and still miss the first pitch.
Tom Boswell: This should have been handled much better for such an historic event. The Post did make one pominent mention of potential delays in the Thursday paper. Still, it was a nightmare. I looked out and saw 20,000 people trying to get into the stadium during some of the pluck-the-heart-strings opening ceremonies. Rats.
But the 161 times the Prez is not there, there will be no such problems
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Chicago, Ill.:
I know that the Yankees and Red Sox are THE big rivalry, etc., but they have already played, what, seven times this year? Any idea why ESPN decided to show that game last night and not the Nats? I had really hoped to see the spectacle?
And for what it's worth, I hope RFK keeps allowing people to bring food and water to the games. Wrigley Field is surrounded by fast food establishments (and the busiest 7-eleven ever) and you can take whatever you want in and I don't think it's hurting the Cubs any ...
Tom Boswell: Great point on the Cubs. I'll mention it to the Nationals. You want happy fans, not to gouge every concessions nickel you can get.
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Ashburn, Va.:
I was watching the game last night with my wife when she asked me what the ERA was. I told her it stood for Earned Run Average, the lower the ERA the better. She said "OK" and went back to watching the game. A couple of minutes later she asked me how they calculate the ERA and I just stared at the TV for a few seconds before I had to admit that I didn't know. Now that I feel like an idiot, can you please explain how they calculate ERA and what exactly it means? I don't want to look like a total idiot the next time someone asks.
Tom Boswell: Earned runs allowed multiplied by nine, then divided by innings pitched. ERA is the number of runs you allow PER NINE INNINGS.
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Bowie, Md.:
Tom, I was at that final game in '71 also ... I think it's the baseball gods that have the score of that last game at 5-3 before the forfeit, then score of the first spring training game at 5-3, and then the score of the first regular season game at ... you guessed it ... what does it mean?
Tom Boswell: I didn't realize that! Nice going.
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Alexandria, Va.:
Last night was a BLAST. But you know, tomorrow is the day when it will seem even MORE real. We've had the occasional exhibition game over the years; well, tomorrow, when the team comes back for a second game, it will seem all the more real to me.
Tom Boswell: I always said I'd believe that a team had returned to Washington after the SECOND game. The odds are looking pretty good right now!
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Washington, D.C. -- soccer comment:
How many fans even go see DC United these days? It's pathetic a team that draws a relative handful of fans can affect what happens on the baseball field -- that has already sold TWO MILLION tickets!
What happened last night in the middle of one of the innings when they had to repair the mound?
Tom Boswell: The Washington area is very diverse and soccer definitely has a place. Just hope that "place" will not be on the same field for both teams for two long.
Still, the modern turfologists can do amazing things.
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Burke VA:
Boz -- I thought of you at last night's game. I think you played a large role in helping beat the drum for bringing baseball back and I am personally appreciative.
Do you think John Patterson has a chance of staying in the rotation for long?
Tom Boswell: After Hernandez, who is a legit second-tier ace, and Loaiza, who looks l,ike he's back to his normal solid self, you have four interchangeable pitchers. Tony Armas has, by far, the best stuff and the most "up side." But he has a long history of injury. Zach Day is a sinker baller with promise. Tomo Ohka has had 13-8 and 10-12 seasons in the past. Okay for a fourth starter. But Patterson intrigues me. Might be a bit of a surprise. Not a "star" rotation, but has the potential to be quite consistent, especially with Schneider catching and a first-rate defense.
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Arlington, VA:
Food and Beer: So what the food lines were really long? If Aramark had to do one thing right, I'm glad they decided it would be how they handled the beer sales. They had a beer stand outside practically every tunnel to the seats. Never any line. It was great! Hope it continues during the hot summer days.
Tom Boswell: All right!
So, you get to BYO food and the beer lines are short. What more could be better.
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McLean, Va.:
It would have been cool if the first game back had had the pre-forfeit score of the last Senators game ...
... unfortunately for your previous poster, that game was 7-5, not 5-3.
Tom Boswell: Always be suspicious of anything that sounds too good to be true. The first PAINFUL lesson you learn as a young journalist. You sometimes feel like you have to "fact check" your own middle name.
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Frederick, Md.:
Hi Tom! I was at the last Senator game and caught the hat Frank Howard threw into the stands after his homer! Being at the game last night brought tears to my eyes! It was very special. Now I have to convince my three boys ages 31, 29, and 24 to stop rooting for the O's and start following the Nats! What advice would you give??
BTW: I wonder if Peter was watching and saw some of the "real" baseball fans in D.C.! Thanks for carrying the torch for us all these years!! Enjoy!!
Tom Boswell: I'm really into this "enjoy both teams" thing after so many years of knowing a lot of fine people in the Orioles organization. But the readers will, over time, let me know what they want to be informed about. I'm listening.
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Chicago, Ill.:
Another ballpark comment from the Windy City. Wrigley Field -- quiet between innings, no loud music, always full. Comiskey Park/US Cellular Field -- loud between innings, music blasting all the time, always empty. Sure there are other factors at play, but that's not a coincidence.
Tom Boswell: Absolutely.
And you need a PA man who doesn't scream at you. Charlie Brotman, 77, the former Senators PA man, did his usual fine job on Thursday in the pre-game stuff. But he's not up for the permanent job! (Actually too bad.)
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Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.:
Mr. Boswell,
I went to the exhibition game and watched Ryan Church go yard and Wilkerson have a couple of patient at-bats and I turned to my friend and said to him flatly, "Endy Chavez is NEVER coming back here." It seems to me that for all the panic about losing Chavez, the real question is "Sledge or Church"? My feeling is that we're looking at a regular outfield that has Church in Center. How do you think it's going to shake out?
Tom Boswell: Exactly.
The endy of Endy may have been a break. Church looks confortable, has some presence in the clubhouse. Sledge is smart, knows hitting. On OPS, they should crush what Chavez could have offered. It's odd that one of the Nats "keys" __getting more out of Endy__ may have been accomplished by GETTING RID of Endy.
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National Zoo, Washington, D.C.:
I didn't see the mascot last night. I had to leave early. No picture of it on the post today. what was it?
Tom Boswell: I didn't see one either. Have we been mercifully spared a mascot! (Life is good.)
Suggestions? A guy dressed up as the Federal Budget? Perhaps a composite of all past "Special Prosecutors?"
Oh, here's an idea. No mascot, just a team.
Okay, that'll never happen. I loved the Phillie Fanatic (still do), so a GOOD mascot suggestion might actually help the team a bit.
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Washington, D.C.:
I think the Nats need a fight song so I can replace Hail to the Redskins as a ringtone on my phone during the summer. Changing the wallpaper will be cake. I am a baseball newbie since D.C. hasn't had a team and I haven't cared because of it, do teams have fight songs?
Tom Boswell: Baseball teams do not have fight songs. They do not but heads in warmups. As Earl Weaver once told me, "We do this EVERY DAY." It's not foam-at-the-mouth surrogate warfare like football. (Hey, nothing against surrogate warfare. It's starting to look better all the time.)
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error in scoring:
Why did they score the first hit. I thought normally on a questionable play, they will score it as an error until the next hit. It looked to be an easy play if the infield wasnt shifted for LUGO. It bounced off the glove and could have been scored an error until the next hit in the ninth inning.
Tom Boswell: You judge the difficulty of the actual play, not the positioning (shift) of the defense. "E" was the right call, IMO. But it sure would have been fun to see a no-hitter into the night of the first game!
Trivia: How many Senators hit for the cycle in the history of RFK Stadium.
Answer: None.
Castilla would have been the first. In the first game.
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Washington, D.C.:
Loved the game and the fact that our seats in left field were great. RFK really is a fan friendly ballpark from that point of view. On the other hand, running out of beer, chicken fingers, ketchup, relish and money in the ATM machine did seem a little shortsighted. I know this was the Nats first game, but couldn't someone have called another major league team and asked how much beer to buy when they have 45,000 people at a game?
Tom Boswell: If you like RFK now __or are at least OK with it__ you may be very surprised at how much improvement can be made in one year by any new ownership with good sense. It'll never approach the new parks. But it is currently SO stoneage that the possible upgrades are endless.
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Alexandria, Va.:
The Nats have a song, Charlie Brotman's "Nuts about the Nats" (which can be heard often on WTOP).
Also, the mascot will be "hatched" on Sunday.
Tom Boswell: Oh, no.
And I'm going to be covering on Sunday.
Please, Lord, don't let me assault the mascot.
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Upper Deck:
I like this National League style of play. The game last night was fast-paced and only took 2:33 to play! Livan is in a league of his own.
My question ... How long before a Nats pitcher socks Cormier in the head for hitting Castilla? Will they wait until game time or will Church launch on into the bullpen during warmups?
Tom Boswell: Plenty of teams at the Nats general talent/payroll level __70-to-80 wins__ don't have a genuine big game pitcher who loves crowds and pressure. But, in Hernandez, they do. MVP in post-season, crucial to the Marlins '97 World series win. Every five days, the Nationals will be a VERY good team when Livan pitches (and hits and fields).
He will become a Drawing Card. You'll circle his starts and say, "Let's go to THAT one."
That's it for today. I'm double-chatted out! See you next week.
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McLean, Va.:
Hi Boz,
It's such a joy to not only have a baseball team, but to also have someone who grew up in the area and appreciates it. It's hard being a D.C.-area native (3rd generation) in a city with so many temporary residents.
Just curious, did you buy any souvenirs? I got a program, ticket holder (for the pin), and a red W hat.
Did a lot of people get those medallions? They weren't handing them out at my exit (the log jam next to the will-call) but I saw a few people with them on the Metro.
The mascot will be introduced Sunday, with posters given out to kids in attendance.
Go Nats!
Tom Boswell: P.S.: I'm not much on souvenirs. And the Hall of Fame came and put the grab on my scorecard from Game One in Philly. So, I'm still trying to figure out what to save.
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