Without so much as a press release, the Washington Nationals acknowledged this year that they really haven’t been around for 100 years.
What are you’re saying? Last year wasn’t their centennial season? But … but … that sleeve patch they wore at home last year clearly said “Established 1905.”
Indeed it did. But now it’s gone, in favor of a classy “DC” surrounded by a circle of stars.
I can’t pretend to know what those marketing geniuses at Major League Baseball were thinking when they set out to design the Nationals’ uniforms. It’s not difficult to find if you’re researching Washington baseball that the original American League franchise in 1901 was called “Senators,” but was changed to “Nationals” in 1905.
And, thanks to PR guy Charlie Brotman, who couldn’t come up with a clever logo for “Nationals,” changed back to “Senators” in 1957.
Of all the things they could have written on the ribbon under the logo on that patch, “Established 1905” was likely the worst choice. Better options would have been:
“They’re here! (Think ‘Poltergeist’)”
“Tough beans, Pete!”
“Good thinking, Bud!”
“Sanity Rules!”
“No, Canada!”
Or something like that. Make up your own.
The new sleeve patch is all-purpose and used on everything. Whether or not it survives is dependent upon how the new owners like it. There’s already been some indication they’d like to “tweak” the uniform design somewhat. The cap design will hopefully remain for years to come. The whole “curly W” business is somewhat compelling. Who could have known when the Senators went to that style in 1963 it would have more staying power than the franchise?
Speaking of the cap — and this might be somewhat convoluted, but I’m going with it anyway — Frank Robinson’s post-game tears the night he replaced Matthew LeCroy behind the plate mid-inning against Houston reminded me of the day Frank made me tear up.
It wasn’t the night he hit two grand slams against the Senators in 1970. I was at that game and from my seat behind home plate watched him connect off of starter Joe Coleman and reliever Joe Grzenda. No tears, more pure awe than anything.
No, it was the day I arrived at spring training last year in Viera, Fla., and walked down to the Nationals’ clubhouse. Frank’s pre-game press briefing was underway in his office when I walked in. He stopped, looked up at me, and said “Can I get you a seat?” Momentarily stunned, I said that wouldn’t be necessary. He said, “Well, as many years as I’ve seen you around, you must be about as old as me.” He laughed, and so did I, but when he looked me in the eye with that cap on, I got a little misty.
As a kid and a loyal fan of the Senators, it had been a tremendous thrill to see Ted Williams wear a Washington uniform. Frank Robinson of all people, with that hat on, at that particular moment — well, you had to be there.
Phil Wood has covered sports in the Washington-Baltimore market for more than 30 years.
