Ballpark's Debut: Not Perfect, but Still a Triumph

5. With seats reaching down to the field all around the park, this stadium feels much more intimate than dual-purpose RFK -- a feeling that burst through as Ryan Zimmerman's walk-off homer brought the crowd to its dancing, jumping feet. I did miss RFK's bouncy seats at that moment.

6. The food is a huge improvement over RFK's dreary fare. Some items that won praise are Ben's half-smokes, Noah's Curly W pretzels, Five Guys burgers, Gifford's Dingers (vanilla ice cream between two chocolate cookies) and Mayorga coffee. (I did hear grumbling about the lack of hot dog vendors in the stands.) My kids begged me not to give this away, but I feel obliged to let you know that you need not wait in the long queue at the Ben's Chili Bowl stand. The same Ben's dogs and toppings are available at Noah's Pretzels and several Nats Dogs stands.

7. Ryan Zimmerman.

8. Metro did its job well. At game's end, there was the inevitable clot of people clustered at the Navy Yard station, waiting to get through the turnstiles, but it only took about six minutes to get past the gates, and then it was clear sailing to the platform. Metro could have done better at stacking trains, but the throng moved smoothly and quickly.

9. The Lerners are a class act, many fans told me, especially in comparison with Redskins owner Dan Snyder and Orioles owner Peter Angelos. Though baseball fans tend to be nostalgic, little was said in praise of RFK. Rather, I heard overwhelming gratitude -- to the Lerners, the construction team and former mayor Tony Williams, who was shamefully ignored in the pre-game ceremonies.

10. Walk-off home run. Zimmerman, again. Give that man a contract.

One more thing: Teddy is never going to win. Ever. Ever, ever, ever.