This posting was actually completed a week ago, but when I went to post it, I closed out Word and didn’t hit save. Somehow, the website got messed up and posted the last 7-Pack article again. I have no idea how that happened, and didn’t have a copy to paste back in. Moral of the story…I’m an idiot.
Anyway, earlier in the year, my buddy Bobby, a fellow civil servant in town bumped into me at a local establishment with his fresh 20 game Nationals plan in their inaugural year at
Upon walking towards the stadium, we saw to ladder trucks from the D.C.F.D. with the ladders elevated holding a giant American flag. I thought this was interesting, but figured we were in D.C., it was a week after 9/11, so I can see how it makes sense. We walked up to the ticket window and asked for best available. We got 6 rows behind the dugout. When I went on to the Nationals website earlier in the day, the closest I got was the top section of the field level, just to the left of home plate. I still don’t understand why “Best Available” on the internet never means BEST AVAILABLE.
1) So I know now why the ladder trucks were there, it was Firefighters Night. Well, what’dya know? (We had no idea that this was the case. We didn’t plan for this, but wow, what a bonus. Good thing I was wearing my FDNY Engine 273, Ladder 129 “First Due at Shea” t-shirt.)
2) There are a LOT of Mets fans here. (I like it. I like it a LLLLLLOT. No wonder other teams hate us so much.)
3) I must say the Nationals are a very loose team during BP. (I guess this is what last place by 25 games teams do.)
4) So over the loud speaker, the DJ has played “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” by Kenny Chesney, “Ragdoll” by Aerosmith, “I Go Back” by Kenny Chesney and “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. (1…The DJ must have a thing for Kenny Chesney and 2…I think he stole my iPod.)
5) I love watching BP. This is a time when you really get to see the players more as humans and not as robotic figures. It’s the time when players are warming up, goofing around, laughing and having a good time. (This includes seeing Pedro Feliciano attempt an Irish Jig)
"Go Pedro! It's you burfday!"
6) Pepsi Girl just texted me to say, “Tell Joe Smith, I rule!” So naturally I did. He looked at me like I had 9 heads until I clarified, all of sudden his demeanor changed. He became more serious when he knew who I was talking about. Then he laughed and said, “You know her? Haha. Alright, I’m gonna have to think of a good comeback.” That comeback never came. (She was just happy that I got her in his head. Apparently, they’ve been battling all year.)
"I gotta think of a good comeback"
7) What a view
8) That’s a great shot.
9) Minus points to the concessions stand behind our section for having crab cake sandwiches and garlic fries on the menu, but not available. (This was a HU-YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE let down and the replacement cheesesteak I got was just sloppy.)
10) The Nationals do win some points back for a phenomenal acapella National Anthem complete with fireworks. (That’s how D.C. rolls.)
11) I’d say we’re off to a good start…lead off homer by Jose and then a 2 out solo shot by Delgado. (More first inning runs.)
12) Philly’s up 4-0. (Damn)
13) I just realized that Brandon Knight is just like David Cone. He’s a righty, he wears #44 and he bats left handed. (And that’s about it.)
14) I’ll say it again. LOVE Daniel Murphy. (This kid knows how to hit.)
15) In honor of Firefighters Night, the Pipes and Drums of the D.C.F.D. played between innings. (Bagpipes always give me chills)
16) I’m a big fan of our Miller Lite vendor. “Okay, who’s drinkin? It’s Millah Tiiiiiiiiime!” (You gotta have some spunk to be a vendor.)
17) Here they come! It’s the world famous Presidential Race! (This was phenomenal. Teddy lost again. In fact, he never crossed the finish line. I have no idea what happened. All I know is a leprechaun came out and tackled Abe for running with a box of Lucky Charms. Oh, yeah, it was
18) “Willie! You couldn’t hit it if a girl pitched it!” “You got dissed by a 9-year old!” (Yep, there were little kids sitting behind us.)
19) Between innings, the Nationals Welcomed Home Soldiers from Walker Reed, while “American Soldier” by Toby Keith blared from the loud speakers. There was not a person sitting down in the place. I’m getting chills just typing this. It was absolutely amazing and does not happen enough in other places. (I’M LOOKING AT YOU
20) So, Pedro, being the little goofball that he is, was throwing candy to people in the crowd from the dugout. It got to the point where people were jumping over each other to get to it. Eventually, the security guard got mad and yelled at Pedro to stop. As soon as he walked away, Pedro made a face behind his back and threw another wrapper. (At least he still has his sense of humor.)
21) Wow, Beltran hit a bomb.
22) During the 6th, we decided to walk around and find some other views. We found out that the elevator talks. Not only does it talk, but it says every action. “Door opening…going up…door closing.” This would have been fine if it hadn’t opened and closed 6 times before leaving the floor. Finally, I just let out a “Shut up!” That got everyone laughing.
23) Even though you can’t see it from the field level, seeing the
24) So with 2 outs and a full count down 7-5, with Alberto Gonzalez on second, he took of for third as Willie Harris walked. Gonzalez was gunned down at third making the final out of the inning at third. 1) why was he running on a full count with nobody behind him? 2) Why was he running at all? (Oh Nationals baseball)
25) Just got this text from Mike: “Keith: great outing by a.j. happ. tj happ.
26) You know, although
27) Bobby, being a photographer asked the usher if he could walk down to the club seats in front of the bar to take a couple of pictures. “Sure, go sit. Stay down there.” (Now that’s some good ushering.)
28) Wow, even Nats fans know how bad #48 is. They welcomed him with open arms.
29) After getting out neither batter he faced, #48 was removed and BOOED…in
30) Yes, they love their Nationals here in D.C. LISTEN to this crowd!!
31) So apparently Nieves means snow in Spanish, or so Bobby and I understood that conversation.
32) Being a Mets fan, I’m getting abused right now. The Mets are clinging to a 9-5, wait, now a 9-7 lead. It’s really hard to hit back when I don’t have the 7-Packers behind me. (This sucks.)
33) Put it in the books. (Later, when they played the final call of the game on the Postgame show, it was more of a relieved “Put it in the books” than a celebratory one from Howie.)
34) Finally, a Met and former opponent has quieted his former team’s crowd, as Luis Ayala strikes out Roger Bernadina representing the tying run to end the game. (This always happens to us. It feels great to see us do it to someone else.)
Thank God that Mets won this game. I can’t imagine what the 4 hour ride home would have been like if they lost. Despite being a Yankees fan, Bobby was very gracious. He didn’t cheer for the Mets, rather was encouraging. It was a nice job by him. I do have to thank everyone that kept me sane in the final three innings through texts. Thank you for your moral support. There’s no way I could have done it without you.
My next update will be Giants-Bengals from the Meadowlands, then Mets-Cubs at Shea. One will be good, one will be ugly. And yes, I hit save this time.
One last picture that I needed to post...
What is Ollie looking at??
