When Stephen Strasburg takes to the mound on June 8th, at 7:05PM, to throw his first pitch in a regular season Major League game, fans will also get a glimpse of what Nationals Park might sound and feel like when the ballpark plays host to its very first playoff game sometime in the future. The South Capitol Street Ballpark is going to be packed and hopping that evening. Folks are going to be cheering Strasburg's every pitch.
Stephen Strasburg's first Big League start is a major milestone in Our Washington Nationals short history. Only the anticipation of the very first home game in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 2005 exceeds it. Strasburg's moment is important because it signifies a franchise not only moving forward but now recognized as a player both on and off the field of play. That's why the national and international media will be shining brightly down on the nation's capital on June 8th. They understand Baseball in Washington, D.C. will be a MUST-SEE event from now on.
D.C.'s team will be on every highlight show and in every major sports publication. More people than ever are going to be paying attention to Our Washington Nationals. And that type of publicity no one could ever buy.
Next Tuesday night will be great theatre. Sohna and I can't wait because Nationals Park will be as loud as ever. Many sensations will come into play throughout the ballpark that evening--hope, wonder, surprise--maybe even a little bit of fear and doubt. All combining to resemble an atmosphere more conducive to a playoff game in early October than just a regular season mid-week game playing out in early June.
Barring a rainout or some unexpected development, the only question now is whether Stephen Strasburg will give a command performance? Either way, it's going to be a fun night on South Capitol Street, no matter this one game's final outcome.
Strasburg Photo Copyrighted--Nats320--All Rights Reserved
4 comments:
In a baseball novel, Strasburg would pitch first game, now targeted for June 8, with the Nationals likely to be hovering around .500, and spur the team to the East Division crown, going 10-0 in the regular season - a sort of 2010 update of that Senators classic {"Damn Phillies (Mets?)!"}
Is this unprecedented national hyped anticipation for a rookie pitcher going to be fully warranted by such a storybook beginning; or is his initiation going to be a much more down-to-earth experience for a guy who promises, if healthy, to be every bit as consistently effective as, say, Mike Mussina, playing for a solid, if not spectacular team over the next five years?
I say that SBF and the African Queen deserve the storybook treatment, and I shall happily hitch a ride to the existential: the story begins on "Strasburg's Starry-Starry Night at Nationals Park" ("S-Day")
Trust in gossamer-winged fields of dream. And the Plan, of course. All glittering...(And bryce yourself for the ride!)
James Taylor and Carol King at the Verizon Center. Metro will be a mess!
Good Luck Strasburg!
This is one of those games where you want to get there early, savor the atmosphere, and just enjoy this great game.
Strasburg will be a huge list, and lets not forget the pick of Bryce Harper on Monday. Hopefully on Tuesday with the first pick in the second round they take SS Mike Antonio from George Washington High School.
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