It is a weekend three years in the making.
For the first time since the Nationals arrived in D.C. from Montréal prior to the 2005 season, the team will play in a new stadium of its very own. Nationals Park opens this weekend in Southeast with an exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles Saturday night and then the official Opening Night contest against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
“My heart is going to be racing the whole time, especially if we can get a lead [Opening Night] and I have a chance to finish,” said Nats closer Chad Cordero. “That would be a special moment for our team. To open up against an opponent like the Braves on national [TV] — there’s a lot of excitement right now.”
The final roster is set now and the Nats flew back from their springtraining site at Viera, Fla., last night. The first order of business? A bus ride from Dulles Airport to the ballpark for a tour of their new home. Today is technically an off day, but the Nats will conduct an afternoon workout and then meet with the media.
Gates open four-and-a-half hours prior to first pitch on Opening Night. Team officials are encouraging fans to arrive early. Security will be stringent as President George W. Bush is slated to throw out the first pitch. Lefty Odalis Perez will be the starting pitcher for the Nationals. Any fans taking the Nats Express shuttle from RFK Stadium to Nationals Park can do so beginning at 3 p.m.
