Major articles from today’s papers RE: the stadium debacle
Council States Case for RFK Site – The Post
Baseball official hints OK for stadium at RFK – The Wash. Times
Baseball Assured D.C. Site Won’t Change – WTOP News
The big news of the day is that Jerry Reinsdorf and members of the DC Council got to meet yesterday to spar over the details of who dishes out the money for cost overruns in Southeast. As was expected, MLB played lots of hardball.
Why? Because they can.
And if I was a conspiracy theorist, I’d say that MLB is giving DC the shaft as payback for the steroid scandal and Congressional hearings this year. But then again, I’m not a conspiracy theorist–normally. But what it DOES entail is a lot of big egos (MLB) and political (read “mayoral”) ambitions (various council members) clouding what would otherwise be in the best interests of Washington and local baseball.
But one thing that for sure came out of this meeting was the possibility that RFK be strongly considered as the alternate site to Anacostia, and unfortunately there’s growing support from the DC Countil to move the stadium there. And apparently MLB is switching gears to say, “We never officially objected to RFK!” (That’s not a direct quote per se, but a paraphrase of what they’re getting at.) What Jerry Reinsdorf IS quoted as saying is that MLB might consider the RFK site if point-man Tony Williams asks for it.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I don’t really have the stomach to see this whole mess go to arbitration, where I have no doubts that MLB would win, and I’m sick to death of their monopolist egos ruining our Nationals. I swear, so far the only thing Bud Selig has done right with the Nationals is moving them to Washington! Everything else has either been a back-stabbing betrayal (TV deal), glad-handling croneyisn (Jeff Smulyan as a possible owner), and delays delays delays (no owner yet). Granted, the DC Council is no better half the time. I swear, I think David Catania will be happy ONLY if the Nats pack up, pick up, and leave town.
My own personall assessment over the stadium: if we’re going to have a stadium in Southeast (my preferred location), it’s going to be VERY close. Right now, I’d say it’s an even 50/50 for where the ballpark will be.
THE ROAD TO THE BOWL
Penn State’s fate is in hands of Fiesta Bowl organizers – CDT
Article’s a few days old, but nevertheless relevant. I’m excited as can be for New Year’s to roll around, because it feels like it’s been forever since PSU was in a bowl matchup.
IN OTHER LOCAL NEWS…
Dulles Greenway Tolls Go Up Jan. 1 – WTOP News
I never liked driving the Greenway anyway. Good thing I don’t need to drive to Leesburg very often!
Today’s postings brought to you by Deputy Editor Fritz Hamme, a dedicated Penn State and Washington Nationals fan.