Once NatsFest is completed on Sunday, January 25th, the road will be clear for the beginning of pedestal placement for the three statues to be unveiled at Nationals Park in the early spring. Currently, plans are in place to erect the Walter Johnson, Josh Gibson and Frank Howard Artworks in The Centerfield Plaza, The N Street/Half Street SE Entrance to Nationals Park. These concrete supports, which will be covered in granite and etched with historical information about each Washington Baseball Great, will be placed toward the back end of the Centerfield Entrance--slightly in front of and to the right of The Red Porch Restaurant (as you face the left field seats).
Now remember, this is foundation work to support and protect the final product. The statues themselves are not complete yet and will not be added for some time.
If you gaze at the photo above, the approximate placing for the three statues will be at the bottom of the picture--at or near the large gray line which separates the color of the walkway concrete. One player will be placed more slightly in front, flanked by the other two. Each will line up directly with an entrance way. No decision on the final grouping yet.
There is hope The Public Unveiling for The Walter Johnson, Josh Gibson and Frank Howard Statues will be in early April, possibly at The Exhibition Game currently scheduled for April 4th at Nationals Park against The Baltimore Orioles. But nothing is etched in stone yet, although work on the concrete pedestals will commence in just a few short weeks.
Thanks for the info about the statues. As a Baltimore Nats fan, it's almost impossible to learn about things like that unless they're posted on the web somewhere. What sources do you use to stay informed? I'd imagine that being a season ticket holder doesn't hurt!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it'd be nice to be able to find out information like the date of the statue dedications, but is there a place these things are cited on the web, save for Nats320?
Thanks again for keeping us in the loop!
This is great news. Incidentally, have you heard anything about the giant baseball-player mobiles that the Nationals commissioned a while ago? I recall you had some posts about stadium art last year, and these mobiles were part of the public art installations planned for the stadium.
ReplyDeleteI live near Baltimore, too and am starved for Nationals information. Your blog is essential reading for us folks. Don't expect the Post to do much at all, unless and until the Nationals become play-off contenders.
ReplyDeleteI'd sure love to see the Nationals announce they've hired Frank Howard before they unveil his statue!
Any updates on the Nationals signing Frank? What's the hold up? This is the one signing that makes great sense for the team and fans!
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen the statue designs yet so this may be precluded, but if they're all going to be put up in the same general area why not arrange them so that Johnson is pitching to Gibson with Hondo at the plate?
ReplyDeleteAn Briosca Mor: Check the link in the original post. There was a complete photo layout on the three statues production right before Christmas on Nats320.
ReplyDeleteJohnson pitching. Hondo Swinging. Gibson following through on his swing watching flight of ball.
Portsider,
ReplyDeleteEven if you lived in the DC area you'd have to come to this blog to get any information like this.
I like ABM's idea better, but I understand why they went the direction they did.
ReplyDeleteA note for the Frankophiles out there, yours truely included. This week's Sporting News features a real nice piece on Frank Howard.
ReplyDeleteI welcome this news and am quite excited. I applaud the Lerner's desire to tangibly honor DC's baseball past, although the team name and logo certainly does that as well.
ReplyDeleteMy only concern is that the statues will be located within the park gates. I note that Philly has Robin Roberts, Schmidt and Carlton located OUTSIDE of their ballpark, which allows tourists to view, enjoy and learn from viewing them even when the game is not in season.
In this regard, I am hopeful that they will strongly consider the placement of these works, as in my view you can never educate the public enough about DC's rich baseball history.