One thing is certain in the wake of yesterday’s Nationals lid-lifter at RFK. Despite the March theatrics of Alfonso Soriano’s reluctance to play left field, he’s still far more popular in Washington than Dick Cheney.
The vice president — the first Cheney to throw a pitch at DC/RFK Stadium since Tom Cheney relieved Dick Lines in a 4-1 loss to the White Sox on April 26, 1966 (my dad’s 50th birthday) — received a mixed response from the crowd of 40,530, but the boos overshadowed the applause.
The only other pre-game booing was audible shortly after a few dozen fans shouted “Ohhhh” during Placido Domingo’s stirring performance of the national anthem. You’d think they would have learned the difference between cities by this time.
Soriano looks like the real deal. No, he’s not a great left fielder – yet. He dived for a ball yesterday; he missed, but gets an “A” for effort. He may actually enhance his value as a free agent with a season-long display of versatility. Later, he homered for the Nats’ lone run and hits with the kind of power that should allow him to put up his typical numbers, though perhaps with a few more doubles to the gap at RFK.
The Fonz may be able to demonstrate that RFK is actually a neutral ballpark. It was back in the 1960s. The stats bear that out, as do any number of conversations I’ve had with players from that era. I ran into Chuck Hinton, Washington’s last .300 hitter, outside RFK yesterday. He’s a perfect example of what I’m talking about. In the three seasons DC/RFK was his home, he hit 23 dingers at home and 20 on the road. I rest my case.
The Nationals are 2-6. I can’t get too worked up about that. The starting rotation has an element of slapdash to it. The bullpen isn’t what it was last year with the injury to Luis Ayala. And the offense simply sputtered in the sunlight yesterday.
A replay of last week’s brushback/bench-clearing battle at Shea Stadium never materialized yesterday. A hint that something might be up was evident on the bulletin board in the Washington clubhouse. A story from one of the New York tabloids was posted suggesting both teams were looking for payback. Underneath the clipping was a handwritten “STRAP IT ON.” Apparently, the straps broke, or perhaps there was an unofficial warning from the umpiring crew. Whatever, both teams seemed on their best behavior.
Based on their opponents’ 2005 records, the Nationals’ opening month – on paper – represents one of the tougher stretches of the 2006 season. They won’t play a team who finished under .500 last year until the Reds come to town in two weeks. They’ve got a shot to leave town at two under .500, and the Marlins series this weekend could bring them even.
Hey, maybe an owner will show up by then.
Phil Wood has covered sports in the Washington-Baltimore market for more than 30 years.
