Question For DC Area Baseball Fans

[Figment22]

As you're most likely aware, it was announced today that the Montreal Expos will be moving to Washington, D.C. (There is another semi-comical thread open regarding possible names for the team.) I'm curious as to the mind-set of D.C. area baseball fans, many of whom have followed the Baltimore Orioles as their team for years. How do you feel about having a new team in your neighborhood? If you've been an Orioles fan, you're used to AL baseball. Can you follow an NL team, too? How about Northern Virginia baseball fans--what do you think about the relocation?

Opinions?

 

[jrydberg]

I'm in northern VA and I think it's great that DC is getting the Expos. That said, I'm not going to suddenly become a serious fan of the team. I've been a Yankees fan since I was a little kid. That's not gonna change. I'll still go to a couple Yankees-Orioles games at Camden Yards every year. But I may take my daughter to a game or two to see the DC team now (she doesn't particularly care who's playing).

 

[Missy1961]

I'm from NY, but I was very excited about this news! 2 of my sisters live in the DC area. I've been trying to see a game in as many stadiums as possible, so now it will be easy for me to add at least 1 now and another later. Plus, I'm a Met fan (please, no jokes!) so I like NL baseball.

 

[disney4us2002]

I don't really see the need. Of course I'm not a huge baseball fan other than my 2 sons' teams, lol. My dh is a big fan and he thinks it is a colossal mistake financially speaking for the city to bear the costs of first refurbishing RFK and then building a new stadium.

I wish them well and hope the team brings in needed funds. I'm not so sure that the Wash Capitals are financially doing well as we were (didn't renew after poor owner trade decisions last yr) season ticket holders for the past 6 yrs and have steadily watched attendance drop. The area does seem able to support two football teams however, so perhaps it'll work out.

 

[dmadman43]

Hmmm...well according to Peter Angelos, owner of the Orioles, "There are no real baseball fans in DC"

 

[cubsfan]

Perhaps George Will would disagree with that............

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by jrydberg
But I may take my daughter to a game or two to see the DC team now (she doesn't particularly care who's playing).

I've wondered--was that adorable photo of your daughter taken at Camden Yards?

 

[DizGeek]

Just another team to add to the list that will win a World Series before the Red Sox do.

 

[mrsltg]

My dh is a big fan and he thinks it is a colossal mistake financially speaking for the city to bear the costs of first refurbishing RFK and then building a new stadium.

Him too, huh?

I am SO SICK of all of the talk about baseball and I am a fairly big baseball fan. I live in Northern Virginia and I was hoping that if the team was going to come to this area, it would go to Dulles (simply because it would not impact me). Of course I would have had a hairy fit if I found out I had to pay for it (for once the governor and I are in agreement). The idea of the stadium being in Southwest so very, very close to 395 gives me hives because what this city doesn't need is more traffic trying to cram over the 14th Street Bridge. What it also doesn't need is to spend $400million on a new stadium when they could just fix-up RFK and leave it at that. Oh well, they didn't ask for my opinion...

Erin

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by DizGeek
Just another team to add to the list that will win a World Series before the Red Sox do.

 

[snoopy]

This Washingtonian is a dire hard Orioles fan, but then again, I'm a native Baltimorian.

The way people are around here with their Redskins, I imagine the Orioles will have many people defect. Never me though. Nothing like a trip to Camden Yards in "Bal-mer", a nice beer and a crabcake, watching my beloved Orioles.

 

[clutter]

Jrdberg, I've always been impressed with your level headed posts, but you're a YANKEES fan? Ew. My opinions of your opinions will be forever changed. (oops, guess that means I'm an Orioles fan at heart.)

Northern Virginian checking in. I'm glad it's going to DC. I don't think the entire state should pay for a new stadium, and I didn't want it in the already-too-congested 'burbs, anyway. I think it belongs in DC, but then, I still miss the Redskins playing at RFK.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

Originally posted by snoopy
This Washingtonian is a dire hard Orioles fan, but then again, I'm a native Baltimorian.

Snoopy,

I think the correct term is Baltimoron

I lost respect for Baltimore when they moved out of Memorial Stadium. Too much of a wine and cheese crowd for me. It used to be dangerous to be a Yankee fan at Memorial, you might get a beer dumped on you or something but in Camden the Yankee fans out number the O's fans

It is almost impossible to get to Baltimore for a game during the week. I would prefer Dulles, but will probably get downtown about 10 times a year to see Barry Bonds and the Cubs/Cardinals.

 

[jrydberg]

Originally posted by Figment22
I've wondered--was that adorable photo of your daughter taken at Camden Yards?

Yep Actually, we're going tomorrow night to see the Orioles and Red Sox play. She loves baseball games

clutter, sorry to disappoint, but I am what I am Blame my dad

 

[snoopy]

Originally posted by PrincessDadx2
Snoopy,

I think the correct term is Baltimoron

I lost respect for Baltimore when they moved out of Memorial Stadium. Too much of a wine and cheese crowd for me. It used to be dangerous to be a Yankee fan at Memorial, you might get a beer dumped on you or something but in Camden the Yankee fans out number the O's fans

It is almost impossible to get to Baltimore for a game during the week. I would prefer Dulles, but will probably get downtown about 10 times a year to see Barry Bonds and the Cubs/Cardinals.

Ha! You'd better be a "Baltimoron", cuz' only our own can call us that.

I totally agree with the loss of some respect after the O's moved from Memorial Stadium. I grew up blocks away from Memorial Stadium, and miss the old place so much. Still, though, Camden Yards does have a lot more options as far as getting something to eat! (yes, I know, at a lot higher price! )

My memories of Memorial Stadium with the old timey ushers, Thank God I'm a Country Boy at 7th Inning Stretch, Boog Powell and Brooks Robinson, nothing is gonna touch that. But I still love my O's, wherever they play.

 

[caitycaity]

I'm curious as to the mind-set of D.C. area baseball fans, many of whom have followed the Baltimore Orioles as their team for years. How do you feel about having a new team in your neighborhood? If you've been an Orioles fan, you're used to AL baseball. Can you follow an NL team, too?

i am VERY HAPPY about the move. i only hope that the team will be interesting to watch. of course, i am a tigers fan so i have nowhere to go but up!

i live in maryland, and getting to baltimore for the games was always a big pain in the butt. i am very happy to have it in dc and yeah, i will sure be going to the dc games now instead of the baltimore games. i have never been an o's fan - i would usually go when they played other teams i like and route against them.

the only teams i have ever followed are all AL, so it will be interesting watching a NL team.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

I've grown up an Atlanta Braves fan being in Richmond (Atlanta's AAA affiliate), but I have attended several O's games a year for all of my years. Washington is about 30 mins closer, but I doubt I go to more games in DC than Baltimore. For one, Camden is one of the best stadiums in the bigs, and secondly my man Javy plays there. I'll probably go to a game or two a year in DC and three or four a year in Baltimore.