Up Close & Personal in RFK

by NittanyCub on Jul 2, 2007 11:31 PM CDT Comment 20 comments

Well, to make this short and quick without any background info, I'm in D.C. for the summer and got the lucky chance to see the Cubs play at RFK. Couple notes that I thought were worth mentioning:

RFK stadium is horrendous. Honestly, it's like a hole with walls. I have no idea how a baseball team can actually play there.

There were more Cubs fans than Nats fans, which I thought was surprising. I know in San Diego, where I lived for ~11 years, had a plethora of Northsiders. But damn, there were alot today, especially when Nats fans started to leave in the dozens after the seventh inning and most Cubs stayed glued to their seats.

Ted Lilly was great tonight. He got in a little bit of trouble in the 1st(5th and 6th), with Bowen having to come and talk to him on the mound, but for the most part he was great. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come!

Mark DeRosa is a beast. I have to agree with Al that he's becoming a great asset to the Cubs, and also had a very slick play at 2nd.

Mike Fontenot didn't start, which blackened my heart. Can anyone add some insight to this?

Billy Petrick was equally amazing. He was topping off at 94 MPH from RFKs' measure, and he was throwing some nasty stuff. Hopefully he keeps this up.

The Metro station were giving Cubs chants like no other. Oh, how nice it is to see Nationals fans be so mad and quiet at the same time.

I started chanting "Cubs win! Cubs win!" after the 5-4-3 to end the game. A Nats fan then muttered

"When was the last time the Cubs won the WS,"

to which I replied

"Oh, when was the last time the Nationals won the World Series, buddy?"

--silence, blank stare--

"Exactly."

Point.Set.Match.

Onward to tomorrow!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Fontenot

is cooling off, Piniella went with the hotter DeRosa. By now, we should all be able to notice this. Lou plays the hot hand. Theriot sat down for a week, you'll recall. And, that's why Pagan is currently playing and Pie is sitting....

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 3, 2007 2:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And,

I wouldn't rub it in too much on that poor team, and their fans. Just enjoy, and let them be. It's not like we don't know what that feeling is. Be a good winner.

I'd like to see the Nats compete someday, and push the damn Braves and Mets around.

I was very pleased to see baseball return to DC -- once the new park is finished, my guess is the Nats will compete in a few years, as long as management doesn't make any major blunders.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 3, 2007 2:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree

on the Nationals improving and being able to push the Mets and Braves around. The Nationals haven't been around long enough for me to hate them yet. That time will come, but in the mean time...go Nats! (after Sunday's game)

by Rev Gunia on Jul 3, 2007 7:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1924

The last time the Washington Nationals won the World Series. But of course, they also were missing a team for a large chunk of time.

The Nationals are going to be able to compete very soon and very quickly. They have not saddled themselves with a lot of expensive middle caliber players, have focused on getting young players with some upside and on building the farm system. Next year, when the money kicks in, they will add free agents. As it is, they have already surpassed expectations for this year. They are not, as claimed by some, the worst team in baseball by a wide margin. They do not have the worst record in baseball, and they are not going to "threaten" 120 losses.

by frustratedfan on Jul 3, 2007 6:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually

the old Washington Senators won the WS in 1924. The Expos/Nationals have never won a WS.

by cubsbak on Jul 3, 2007 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh

Washington's farm system is one of, if not the worst in baseball. If anyone thinks the Cubs system is bad, take a look at what Washington has to offer. It will be a while before that system starts paying dividends at the ML level. They are a loooonnnnggg way from competing in the NL East.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Jul 3, 2007 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

On of the worst in baseball, no longer "the worst" in baseball. Under MLB stewardship the team was gutted and destroyed. It was the worst farm system in baseball. Its now somewhere smack in the middle of the worst ten. Still not very good, but a market improvement. And, more importantly, based on drafting and the like, with a commitment to move upward and get better.

(And consider that the horrible Nationals Farm System has produced more "MLB regulars" than the Cubs system, the Cubs probably should not be talking.)

by frustratedfan on Jul 3, 2007 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe as the Nationals it's bad, but

that was hardly the case when they were the Expos. The Expos consistently produced MLB caliber talent, at a pace that the Cubs could only be jealous of.

by cubby23 on Jul 4, 2007 12:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it's not

such a good idea to be so obnoxious and rub it into the faces of the Nats fans. The Nats paired down payroll this season and knew they'd take their lumps with the idea of developing a young nucleus for next season when the new stadium opens. Next year they'll most likely add a few free agents. The Cubs SHOULD be beating up on a team like the Nats. As they say, act like you've been there.

Another thing, why were you surprised that the place is so full of Cubs fans? The Nats have only been in DC for a few years and haven't had a chance to build much of a fan base. DC is a football town and the fans are still warming up to baseball. Making things worse, the Nats are terrible this season, which keeps a lot of fans home. Also, DC is a very transient city and is home to a huge contingent of people (like yourself) who aren't from the area and, therefore, RFK is often populated by fans who root for the opposing team. Add to all of that how well Cubs fans travel and it's hardly surprising that RFK would be filled with Cubs fans.

by cubsbak on Jul 3, 2007 8:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I do have to disagree with your opinion

that there are alot of fans who oppose the Nationals: besides the occasional Orioles/Yankees hats, the whole D.C./Maryland area is filled with people that have Nats caps/sweaters/shirts. I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised, though. Just was

"He's overmanaging me, just in case you guys want to hear that. Lou overmanaged Ozzie today..." - Ozzie Guillen

by NittanyCub on Jul 3, 2007 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure, they own the caps/sweaters/shirts . . .

But they don't go to the games. I've been in DC for 6 years now and have shared Nats season tickets (hey, at least it's the NL) for each of the 3 years they've been in existence. Except for the first half of the 2005 season, when the novelty of "hey, new team!" and the fact that the Nats were actually winning filled the seats, I'd say that roughly half the teams in the NL have nearly as strong a contingent at RFK as the Nats do. It's most noticeable when the Phillies, Mets, Cubs and (shudder) Cards are in town. And when the Yankees were here last season it was pretty much intolerable.

by markr99 on Jul 3, 2007 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's great that

you got to see a win. It was a great game and I hope tonight's is another great win for the Cubs.

Men who whine are so unattractive. This place is full of them.

by sue369 on Jul 3, 2007 9:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have no

clue why I used the word "great" so many times. Jeesh!

Men who whine are so unattractive. This place is full of them.

by sue369 on Jul 3, 2007 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beloved RFK

I have to take a minute to defend venerable old RFK stadium. I see between 5 - 10 Nats home games a year. Sure its antiquated, ugly, vending stinks and not exactly situated in the liveliest part of town.

But, almost all seats are decent (no luxury suites brings upper bowl closer to the field), its cheap, easy to get in and out of, and harkens memories of great DC sporting moments (boxing, nfl football, senators baseball, world cup soccer etc). To suggest that you don't know how a baseball team plays there is ridiculous - you may have noticed the green grass and white lines just like any other ball field.

No one will mistake this place for the shiny new ballparks going up around the country (DC included), or fabulous venues like Wrigley, Fenway etc. Its kinda like your old beat up sweat shirt that you've had for 10 years that you continue to wear because it just feels right. I look forward to the new venue next year, but will surely miss this old beast.

by GamePenguin on Jul 3, 2007 10:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll second that

And add that an $18 infield upper-deck box at RFK is one of the best deals in major league baseball. Ah, two-deck stadiums . . . .

by markr99 on Jul 3, 2007 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

this old park has seen a lot of stuff, including the Super Bowl Champion Redskins. I've only seen it from the outside, never had a chance to get there during the season. I had hoped this would be the year...but unfortunately, no.

Those night-time shots from the outside on NASN actually make the old place look...OK.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 3, 2007 11:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not as terrible

as some would make it seem. I'm also partial to older stadiums. When the fans get really into it at RFK the lower deck shakes. I can only imagine what it was like during the heyday of the Redskins.

by cubsbak on Jul 3, 2007 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I wasn't necessarily

rubbing it in. I was with friends, others were giving chants, I was by them, so I chimed in. If someone says a smart remark, would you not reply back? I don't rub in wins, but I do enjoy them.

And, for GamePenguins' remark: if you abide by your saying that if there are white stripes and grass on a field to make it a ballpark, then why can't my backyard be a ballpark also?

I guess it wasn't more the field, but what surrounded it. A seat to rows down from me was broken: another had nacho cheese(I left work 2 hours early to get there for batting practice, and it was there. What's goin on?) Most of the Nats fans I saw cursed at their players when they grounded/struck out. Even though I had a great time hearing them complain, it would be a pretty hard time to hear that on the daily basis.

I don't mean to offend, and maybe "horrendous" and the other statements I posed were a bit harsh, but I do stand by my opinion that RFK isn't a good stadium.

"He's overmanaging me, just in case you guys want to hear that. Lou overmanaged Ozzie today..." - Ozzie Guillen

by NittanyCub on Jul 3, 2007 4:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

RFK

I hear ya Nittany Cub...no one (including me) is saying that RFK doesnt have its problems. It is, as you say, not a good stadium. Thats why they're moving.

However, its the place that I associate with the return of DC baseball and somehow I feel attached to the old lady. For DC'ers that have been here much longer than me, the memories of greatness (read Redskins football) at RFK hold strong today. FedEx field is a place I dont like at all...despite its ammenities.

Was I defensive? Maybe, but I really like that old dump. I felt a need to provide a more local perspective. I'd think the same thing in your shoes. Be sure to go back out and support that horrible product they're serving at RFK while you're here this summer..it's still baseball.

You must, by the way, have a pretty big backyard :)

Go Cubs.

by GamePenguin on Jul 3, 2007 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's an old stadium

that's primary tenants right now are an MLS team (D.C. United) and a Nats team still recovering from MLB butchering them. Neither team has a reason to pour money into a park that neither are going to be playing in in 5 years. I think the United are getting a soccer specific stadium and we know the Nats are getting their own park. I would have loved to see a Cubs/Nats game at RFK since I really like D.C. and I'm really glad that there's baseball in the Capitol. I guess I'll wait to be spoiled at the new stadium.

"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Jul 3, 2007 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs