Especially you ladies, there may be men in black sedans with pictures and candy, promising to make you a star. Daa da-da-da-da-daa da. . .
BUT SERIOUSLY, this is normally one of my favorite days, because I enjoy greeting everyone with “Beware the Ides of March!”
I was writing that today could be a very bad day because we would find out if the financing was workable because the final legislation put a limit on how much could be spent at the SE ballpark. However, The Post reports, 2 Financing Deals Cleared for Stadium, and Linda Cropp seems pleased. The one sticking point could be if the projected acquisition cost of the land exceeds $165 million (The Wash. Times), the council is required to look for an alternative site. Is this okay with MLB? They signed off on the December 21 legislation knowing that was in there. I would prefer they keep the ballpark at the proposed SE location, but I could live with it if they moved it near RFK. The downside there is it would be a little further from Metro. That and no new development.
Adding to my concerns is all the excellent D.C. baseball booty that I picked up on my birthday this Sunday. My lovely fiancee got me a pair of tickets to the RFK exhibition game (section 532!) and my folks and brother got me a Nats t-shirt, Damn Senators, and Beyond the Shadow of the Senators. All in all, a nice haul. Thanks to everyone! I have also set up the group tickets for my June bachelor party.
On another note, this would be a very appropriate day for MLB to say no to Peter Angelo$ (Ryan Moore alluded to this way back when; is it a problem that I liked the imagery so much I keep linking to it?)and let the Nats get their own TV deal for 2005. In the end, it makes sense for their to be a super sports channel for Washington-Baltimore and beyond, but not if Angelo$ is calling the shots. Thomas Boswell of The Post has an excellent column about the Angelo$ ad
Ball-Wonk astutely suggests that ad Angelo$ put in The Post is his fatwa againist D.C. baseball. He also adds The Madness of King Angelos
One more thing, you may not have seen that on Saturday I did a comparison of cap designs from all the new franchises since 1969. I concluded that the Nationals “W” is in the top three hat designs of the last 35 years. Even if you are not fond of the “W,” you will have to admit that it beats just about everything since then. I love the “W.”
Green, green grass of home – The Wash. Times
The sod is being installed! This is the different variety that takes only 7 – 10 days to root. The sudden decision by Mother Nature to bring winter to D.C. hampered this process by 3 or 4 weeks. I actually posted this article in one of the above paragraphs because it has financing information.
More from AP/The Wash. Examiner: Grass installation starts at RFK Stadium
Small payroll hinders Nats – The Wash. Times
This year, just having a team is good enough, we can worry about payroll next year when their is an owner. Apparently, only sausage rivals — Pittsburgh and Milwaukee have lower payrolls in the National League.
Ohka Off to a Good Start – The Post
P Tomo Ohka seems to be recovering nicely from a broken arm.
Hinckley optioned to minors – The Post
Mike Hinckley just needs more time.
Spring Report – The Wash. Times
Quick hits from down south.