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Decision 2005

RFK Stadium? Well, it's really old. And in one exciting promotional giveaway currently under consideration, anyone who gets hit by a chunk of falling concrete would get a free Dexter Manley bobblehead doll.

Edge: Orioles.

The Expos' mascot is Youppi, who will make the trip to D.C. (Ryan Remiorz -- AP)

^__ Stadium Deal Approved ^__

• Baseball in Washington clears its biggest hurdle when the D.C. Council approves a revised ballpark financing proposal.
• Thomas Boswell: Getting a team is exciting. But reality is sobering.
• After a week in limbo, Nationals' executives get back to work.
• Q & A: What's next?
• Savings and uncertainty remain in new stadium deal.
• Fans, critics consider city's future as the Nationals are reborn.
• It has been a tumultuous month for D.C. Council Chair Linda Cropp.
• News Graphic: Differences in the bills passed Tuesday and Dec. 14.
• News Graphic: What happens now?

^_____ Multimedia ^_____

• Audio: Williams is elated with the agreement on stadium funding.
• Audio: Cropp discusses the negotiated stadium deal.

^_____ On Our Site ^_____

• The District has been without major league baseball for more than 30 years. Look back at a visual history of the Senators.
• Eighty years ago, the Senators won their only world championship.
• Baseball Returns Special Section
• What's your opinion?

^_____MLB Basics^_____

• Scoreboard
• Standings
• Statistics
• Team index
• Music Downloads
• MLB Section

^_____Dodgers Basics^_____

• Dodgers page
• Roster
• Schedule
• Statistics

^_____White Sox Basics^_____

• White Sox page
• Roster
• Schedule
• Statistics

^_____Angels Basics^_____

• Angels page
• Roster
• Schedule
• Statistics

^_____Cubs Basics^_____

• Cubs page
• Roster
• Schedule
• Statistics

The Leagues

Despite Manager Lee Mazzilli's wishful speculation about switching leagues, the Orioles are remaining in the AL, where the pitchers don't bat and games tend to drag on forever. Intradivision rivals Boston and New York visit for 9 or 10 games every season, which is great for the Orioles' finances and tough for their win-loss record.

In the NL East, the ESNGWs will still be competing with big spenders. However, the difference is, these big spenders -- the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies -- don't win. The Atlanta Braves have won the East for a ridiculous 13 straight seasons. Oh, and Barry Bonds's San Francisco Giants will be making at least one visit per season.

Edge: ESNGWs

Famous fans

The Orioles boast Tim Russert and George Will among their season ticket holders. But does anyone think they won't jump ship now that there is baseball in the District? If the Orioles were smart, they would constantly ridicule such a blatant flip-flop.

At RFK, it is expected that President Nader will continue the tradition of presidential ceremonial first pitches next Opening Day.

Edge: ESNGWs.

Pregame, Postgame Hangouts

The Orioles have the Inner Harbor, a tourist-friendly shopping-and-entertainment mecca that beckons beyond just down Pratt Street from Camden Yards. With numerous hotels nearby, the area draws baseball fans who stay for the weekend. Of course, this also leads to wild packs of Yankees and Red Sox fans taking over the stadium and turning it into a southern version of Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.

As for the RFK's surroundings, really, is there anything that beats a day of fun at the D.C. Armory?

Edge: Orioles.

The Mascots

MLB sources in Montreal this week confirmed that Youppi -- the inscrutable, fuzzy, orange creature who graced Expos games in Montreal for all these years -- will be accompanying the franchise to Washington in some form next season.

Meantime, the Oriole Bird is a giant, black-and-orange avian monster that is so popular with Orioles fans, they sometimes try to pick him up and drop him over the railing onto the section of stands below.

Edge: ESNGWs.

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