Fans Giddy After Storybook Ending (and the Occasional Cocktail)
By David Nakamura
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 31, 2008;
A10
The fans came for baseball -- and did they ever get it.
With one swing of the bat, Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman lifted the nervous mood of a packed house in Nationals Park, blasting a game-winning home run into the left-center-field seats with two outs in the ninth inning, igniting jubilation on Opening Night at the city's new stadium.
Nats 3, Atlanta Braves 2.
"It is the best ending to a game I have ever been to," said Jason Zwickly, 26, of Ashburn, who pronounced the entire evening a success. "It was just nice to see a sold-out crowd for once at a Nationals game."
Just inside the ballpark's center field gate, fans stood six deep behind the top row of seats, trying to watch the ninth inning while positioning themselves for a speedy exit. Among them was Michael Osborne, 48, of McLean, whose three companions at the game had left the park during the seventh inning stretch.
"I said, 'I'm not leaving; there's more game,' " Osborne said. Celebrating Zimmerman's stadium-christening game winner, Osborne said: "So it takes a little longer to get on the Metro. This is history. I'm really psyched."
A cannon boomed, and smoke rose. Red fireworks, which had lighted the sky to open the game, erupted again over the gigantic scoreboard in center field. And the fans hollered and clapped as Zimmerman circled the bases, throwing off his batting helmet as he crossed the plate and was swallowed by his elated teammates.
"Was that a storybook ending or what?" said John Mewshaw, 52, of Laurel. The Nats had clung to a narrow lead most of the night, but the Braves tied the game in the top of the ninth, setting the stage for Zimmerman's dramatics. "If that was in a fiction book, you wouldn't believe it," Mewshaw said. "As a guy said in the bathroom afterward, we're in first place in the National League East."
The fans had come early to see the sights at the new ballpark -- the abundant food stands, the video arcade, the sports pub, the panoramic views of the Anacostia River. But in the end, it was the game that provided the biggest thrill.
"Phenomenal stadium, phenomenal game," said Steve Charest, 35, a high school teacher from Manassas.
He said he was delighted with his $22 seat in Section 303, high above right field.
"It's a lot better than any of my expectations," he said.
Hours before the Nationals took the field for their regular-season opener, thousands of fans streamed through the gates beyond center field -- but they didn't take their seats.
Not right away.
There was so much to see and do before the game began.
Such as walk the stadium's wide (and, on this night, cramped) concourse to check out the seemingly endless food stands, buy souvenirs and admire the views of the city and the Anacostia River.
"I just did three laps," said Chad Capellman, 34, a Web producer who grew up in Wheaton and had come back from his home in Quincy, Mass., for the game. "My favorite part are the tribute murals to the Negro leagues and Senators history on the pillars."
The video games in the PlayStation arcade also drew crowds.
"PlayStation 3 rocks," said Kevin Jones, 29, a lobbyist who lives in Arlington County, as he watched the digital Detroit Tigers play the Cleveland Indians on one of the video screens. "I'm here more for the ballgame, but this is pretty cool."
If last night is any indication of the future, the city and team can rest easy about their investment. But, of course, last night was special. President Bush threw out the first pitch. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) waded through the crowd, drawing cheers but also some catcalls from those who remember his voting against the ballpark as a member of the D.C. Council.
"Hey, Mr. Mayor, what do you think now that baseball is here?" one man yelled.
"Enjoy the night," Fenty responded.
In the plush Lexus President's Club, fans with the finest tickets escaped from the pregame chill with cocktails, hot hors d'oeuvres and wide-screen televisions on every wall.
"It's fantastic," said Lee Shenker of Rockville, sitting at the circular bar with his wife, Stacey. The Shenkers have season tickets in a box along the third base line but upgraded to the President's Club for opening night. Former season-ticket holders at RFK, they said they recognized several employees from the old park.
With the crowds, however, came predictably long lines. Even though the food stands seemed to never end, most were crowded before the game.
The most crowded food vendor by far was the D.C. hot dog franchise Ben's Chili Bowl.
"We really, really want Ben's," said Lisa Amans of Bethesda, who had waited 20 minutes to reach the halfway point in line. "I wish the line was a little shorter, but so far, this is looking like a good experience."
Many fans marveled at the expansive concourse. "It's so open, you don't realize you're in the stadium until you look down and see the seats," Georgia Hinn of Alexandria said. She and her husband, Jerry, rested on leather seats in the President's Club, listening to live blues music as the stands filled.
Outside the park, one protester carried a "Boo Bush" sign. He wore a Redskins cap and did not have a ticket to the game.
"Bush got us in a costly war," said the man, who declined to give his name. "The money could have been better spent here at home."
Celebrities, including CNN host Wolf Blitzer and Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, mingled among the commoners. "This is a historic moment, so I wanted to be here," said Campbell, adding that he is friends with the Nats' third baseman.
Ryan Zimmerman.
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