Single Blogger Theory, or, Photojournal: Bukowski Edition

I had plans to go see today's game 3 against the Cubs with an old friend, but he never showed. I went ahead to Lot 8 by myself, thinking he may be running late and would catch me at the game. I set up my table and chair, poured a whiskey and read the New York Times and USA Today Weekend Sports edition. Alfonso Soriano on the cover.


View of the stadium from my spot in Lot 8.

Across the way from me were a bunch of people having what looked like a catered tailgate. As gametime approached, most of that crowd, including all the men, disappeared into the stadium. I watched as the three ladies left to clean up struggled to get a keg out of a keg tub. Still waiting for my seatmate, I volunteered assistance, and they offered me a beer. They said they had to drain it anyway, so they poured me a Bud Light and began hawking free beer to everyone walking past their spot into the stadium. I had two beers with them and went into the stadium. It was top of the third inning. I got a red Rally Towel.


The Free Beer Ladies. Memo to Nats management: ladies in the lot with free beer = a better game experience.


I was greeted by a very enthusiastic ticket staff.

I made it to my seat just in time to see the end of the Big Head Presidents race. Of all the things announced as 'new,' this makes the least sense to me. I find it distasteful in the same way Mattress Discounters uses George Washington's face on the dollar bill to hawk bedding in January. Besides, they were already doing this virtually on the big screen, so I wonder who pitched the idea of dressing staff up in ten-foot tall costumes in July. Seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen.


I don't remember who won, but Roosevelt, at left, was disqualified for using a motor vehicle.

I did not eat in the lot, so I made for the food. I decided I'd check out the 3rd level festivities the team put into place for the 'Grand Re-opening.' On the way there, I stopped by a couple of sections in the outfield I usually visit. Just to the left of Box 338 is the box section that directly faces the batter. According to MLB rules as I understand them, all parks have to have a direct view of the wall, or ivy, or something plain and green so as not to distract the batters. This section used to have green netting over it, so it blended in, but was still noticeable. Some time after May, they boarded it over and painted it green on the outside. There always used to be some random guy in there, watching through a hole in the netting. Now, it's just plywood and storage.


I hope the new stadium does a better job than this.

One section to the right is Box 338. This is an open balcony over center field. Back in April and May, fans could walk right up and hang out there. The view is terrific, and you can look right down and see the bullpen behind the outfield fence. At some point since May, the Washington Elite in Box 340 complained that commoners could just walk right up and get the same view for free that the Washington Elite was paying the big bucks for, so they gated it off. Today, I noticed they had the gated further back and had a private party sitting in that area. A good idea.


The Nationals should be hosting the Nats Bloggers in this section, and lavishing as much free food and liquor needed for positive coverage, because we care.

Continuing on, I wandered past the Kids Zone. Pretty cool. Virtual batting practice, face painting, Xbox, pitching cage.


I wanted to try out the Xbox.

The only thing I could find was Red, Hot & Blue, so I ate there.


The barbeque spot on the third level in the outfield.

$9.75 I thought was a lot for a cold dry pork sandwich and slaw, but it's a ball game, right? I was annoyed that the RHB area had no forks (slaw with a spoon) and no sauce for the sammy. I tried to get a water here, but they conveeeeeeeeniently had only beer and soda.


The view from Red Hot & Blue.

It was the 6th inning, and I was ready for another beverage. On my way around the stadium, I looked out the front gates at the red carpet.


I think the red carpet is pretty cool. At upper right is the George Preston Marshall plaque.

Instead of buying a beer (and the annoying PNC Diamond Club that sells bourbon is always empty but you can't get in there without a $100 ticket), I went back outside to my car.


I got this shot on the way out at the 6th inning. The swaying cantilevered roof is iconic. It's what separated RFK from Three Rivers, Riverfront and Veterans Stadium, all same design, all deceased.

Back at My Own Private Tailgate, I had another bourbon and listened to the bottom of the 6th and top of the 7th. I went back in on the second ticket I had that I had been unable to get rid of at the beginning of the game.


Another view of the red carpet.












I thought maybe the Nats320 guys would be fun to meet, so I went to section 320. 320 must be the nexus of the universe, because there is no sign for section 320. The sign before it is for 'Sections 319-321,' and the sign after it is for section 321. I had to go down and walk two sections toward center field in order to get over to it.


I presume Screech's Best Friend and Nat del Negro are in this photo somewhere.











I went back to my seat(s).


Section 213.












I took off for the outfield seats to take some more pictures. It was the 8th inning.


Your blogger washed his hands before photographing himself.
















I love the outfield seats and can't wait to exploit their cheapness.


In the last row.












One of the endearing things about RFK is that if you are in the last row of the upper deck, you have to duck to avoid braining yourself on the steel roof supports as you walk the row.


I know this beacuse I whacked my head good in this section on July 9.
















Another great thing about RFK is the views out from under the roof.


Looking east along the Whitney Young Bridge. Lot 8 dumps out at right and 295 south is at the other end of the bridge. I'll miss this stadium.










Work it the fuck out with Soriano and get him signed. Welcome back Ryan Church!