The Nationals had the potential for a perfect Opening Day.
President Obama threw out the first pitch on a clear afternoon in the mid-70s. The Nationals’ All-Star third baseman, Ryan Zimmerman, accepted his Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards prior to the team taking the field under their D.C.-area native manger. And Miss America sang “God Bless America” during the middle of the seventh inning in front of a near-sellout crowd at Nationals Park.
Now if only Washington didn’t lose 11-1 as loud Phillies fans took over Nats Town and the president wore a Chicago White Sox hat for his ceremonial pitch.
Well, nothing’s perfect.
Monday’s game marked the first Opening Day for Jim Riggleman as Nationals manager — a Rockville, Md. native and Washington Senators fan as a kid.
“That was such a tradition growing up — watching the Senators open up every year,” he said to the Washington Examiner’s Brian McNally. “The president always threw out the first ball. I’m not sure when that stopped. But I’m certainly glad it’s happening again.”
And lets not put too much emphasis on the first game of a 162-game regular season. Especially when Washington was host to the defending NL champions with former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay on the mound.
“When that umpire says ‘play ball’ it’s no more meaningful or less meaningful than any other game in the season,” Riggleman said.
So the Nats picked up where they left off, but there’s still 161 games to bounce back from Monday’s Opening Day loss.
