The 2011 Washington Nationals Opening Day roster is set and it is not one that inspires much confidence in me. When guys like Jerry Hairston, Jr. make the team and Roger Bernadina don’t, my enthusiasm for the season is tempered. Not that Bernadina is necessarily part of the future (he almost certainly isn’t) but because it is season 7 and the Nats still don’t have a centerfielder or lead off hitter. I know that the roster can change quickly, so I’m not trying to be too down about it.
Remember NatsFest was moved to the day before the season so that they could take advantage of better weather than mid-January? The folks behind that decision look like they are getting the weather they deserve tomorrow.
On Opening Day the ever-changing Ring of Stars/Hall of Stars/Hall of Fame inducts: “James Brown, Emmy-Award Winning Host of CBS’ “The NFL Today” and Showtime’s “Inside the NFL”; Dominique Dawes, Olympic Gold Medal Winning Gymnast; Brian Mitchell, Former Washington Redskins Running Back; Willie Stewart, Former Anacostia High School Head Football Coach; Michael Wilbon, Co-Host of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” and Former Washington Post Columnist; and Morgan Wootten, Former DeMatha High School Head Basketball Coach” at noon. I will have more to say about that at another time, but I’m going to try and be in the park for that ceremony.
Oh and the Opening Day forecast isn’t good — 49° with rain possible or as Penn Staters call it, Blue White Game weather.
By the way, we have an extra ticket in section 228. You’d get to sit with our friend MC Hamme. $19. The game is SOLD OUT.
The president will not throw out the first ball this season; he’s busy avenging the attempted murder of Dr. Emmett Brown of Hill Valley, Calif.
Members of the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard will each throw out ceremonial first pitches. Sounds like a fighter jet flyover is going to happen too.
There is a free cap giveaway to the first 20,000 fans. It has a white front and a red curly W. I won’t be heartbroken if I don’t get it. The whole white front phenomenon was a weird one.
Mayor Vincent Gray will tell everybody to play ball.