Game On!

Last night I went to the Home Season Opener for the Washington Nationals. Such a great experience. Granted, it does not equal going to Game 7 when the Angels won the Series, but it was so much fun....well, once we got in the stadium. A coworker (the one with the freaky girlfriend - who comes into play later) and I left the office at 5, hopped on the very, very crowded metro and got to the stadium around 5:50. There were, of course, long lines and tons of people the majority of whom were wearing red Nats caps. I had my blue cap on. Katie (my partner for our season [20 games] seats) and I discussed which hats we were going to get - we are such girls. She chose red (she's a St. Louis fan and it's the home hat) and I chose blue (I look better in blue - yes I am that shallow at times). Plus, I'm a blue state girl. I have had a slight revulsion to all things red the past couple months. It's fading, but still there. I know, I know. I am lame.

43 threw out the first pitch so security was a bit nuts. Metal detectors and Secret Service were at every entrance which made getting into the stadium a bit of a hassle (understatement). But it was to be expected. This was not a secret that it was going to take a long time to get in. Yet people insisted on being asses while waiting in line. I use the term line loosely of course. There was no order. The term that comes to mind is clusterfuck. But again, it was to be expected. It's the first baseball game in over 3 decades in DC. The President is there and it's sold out and RFK is a really old stadium. It's going to suck. It's not going to go smoothly. Deal. There were so many guys complaining in line I could not believe it. I finally lost it when some moron made the comment "why are they having the President on the first day? April 9th would be a better day and less crowded". I turned to him and told him that he was a complete idiot and that he should really stop using profanity and complaining about the situation since there were children around and his bitching and moaning was not making the situation any better, it was only making things worse. Of course this is the abridged version, but any of you who know me get the gist of what was said. Anyway, he shut his trap and everyone around was better off.

Got in the stadium just before 7, right in time to hear the national anthem. Grabbed a beer, got to my seat to find that the other three people weren't there yet. They missed out on some pretty cool, albeit hokey, stuff. They had the guy who threw the last pitch before the Senators left DC come out with that ball which he gave to 43 to throw for the opening pitch. The crowd's response to the President was very representative of our nation's voting this past election. 1/ booed and 1/2 cheered. After being told that I couldn't turn my back or read a paper while he was doing this (I wouldn't have) I decided to be a silent protester. I will respect the office, but I do not need to respect the man. Then the last Senators starting line up took the field in their uniforms carrying gloves. Then the Nationals came out and were handed their gloves by the Senators. It was very touching. I admit - I got a tear. I'm such a sucker for anything historic and baseball related.

Ryan and Patrick got there within 10 minutes of me and each other and we settled in to watch the game. Katie had called to let me know her car died in the middle of the highway so she was running a bit late. It was a nightmare for her the poor thing. No one stopped to help her during rush hour traffic. Finally when a guy from Ohio (go Buckeyes) helped her push the car to the side of the road some ass in a Cadillac CUT THEM OFF. She got there just in time to see the first run scored. That and the fact we gave her beer made her happier pretty quickly. It was a fun game and the Nats won. If the concession stands hadn't run out of beer and food it would have been a better experience, but it's the first game. I'm sure it will get better as the season progresses.

Poor Ryan though. We got this missive from him this morning : "Hey, great time last night, even with all the RFK logistical snafus (WHAT?!?! You're out of beer?!?!). Looking forward to seeing you guys throughout the season. Now, the sad part: After all my preservation plans for my schmancy ticket, it fell out of my program last night on the metro and onto the floor. Just as I noticed it was missing, someone picked it up and ran off the train at Clarendon! I kid you not! Anyway, so if any of you three are not particularly attached to your ticket stub, I would be happy to compensate you for it (cash, beer, whatever). Ok, enough of my sob story. Go Nats!"

I can't believe some tool snaked his ticket. At least two of the four of us had a relatively painless experience!