Monumental occasions usually occur following negative events, but today marks a monumental occasion for a good reason. Remember where you are today as the national pastime returns to the national city.
The Washington Nationals are bringing baseball back to the nation's capital for the first time since 1971, giving Major League Baseball something to be proud of in a time marred by steroid scandals and a few dominant teams killing the competitive feel.
More so, these Nats are good. With a 5-4 record, the Nats may make a run in the National League East this year and challenge the Marlins and Braves for division supremacy. Adding established veterans like Esteban Loaiza, Vinny Castilla and Jose Guillen in the offseason to the solid core of former Expos like Livan Hernandez, Jose Vidro and Brad Wilkerson gives the Nats a very productive lineup and talented rotation.
Where the Nats will struggle is the bullpen, with second-year man Chad Cordero as their only impact player. Manager Frank Robinson likes his young core and sees a bright future for his Washingtonians.
But if the Nationals don't win a single game, this season will still be a groundbreaking one. Since the Senators left D.C., the city has seemed almost naked, like London without crumpets, Paris without art or Sydney without an opera. How can America's city not have America's calling card?
But all that changed when MLB Commissioner Bud Selig moved les Expos from Montreal to RFK Stadium last winter. It's almost fitting that the Nats' home opener will be the first baseball event in D.C. since the congressional hearing two weeks ago, which featured former superstars Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco changing the face of baseball forever amid steroid allegations.
But today, no one will remember the man who broke Roger Maris' single-season home run record being prodded or the smug look from his Bash Brothers partner, but instead will focus on the president, the Nationals and the kids who are ecstatic about baseball coming home.
Robinson, one of baseball's all-time greats, will lead his troops onto the field, behind starting pitcher Hernandez, against a former Expos stud, Javier Vazquez.
Selig did well. Yes, his steroid policy should be stricter. Yes, he probably shouldn't have talked about contraction. But when he got tested and had the chance to make the most fans happy, he did it. And for that, the entire city of Washington thanks you, Bud.
Seeing my fellow Washingtonians rejoicing in the rebirth of their first love is something I look forward to and am excited to watch for years to come. For these fans, before there were taxes and jobs and families to worry about, there was baseball.
And for the first time in years, when the Metro is packed at 5:00 going downtown instead of outbound, the aura will be in the air. The Beltway will be empty at 7:05, and "The OC" and "Survivor" will see their ratings drop in D.C.
Why? Baseball's back, and Americans love baseball. Throw me the drama of the "The OC" or the mental "strategery" of "Survivor," and I'll take those pitches while I sit dead-red for a fastball of emotion, intensity and zeal.
Baseball is back, and the Nats are for real. Chances are they'll take out a recent World Series champion and may be pretty darn good.
In all seriousness, who cares? D.C. is no longer naked, and there's no asterisk next to baseball's validity as our national pastime. And tonight, there will be no question about what Must-See TV is. The tribe has spoken!
