Game Day....Stadium #1 Washington Nationals

Baseball in the Nation's Capital returned in 2005 via the former Montreal Expos, now as the Washington Nationals. The Nationals played their first 3 seasons in Washington at RFK Stadium.....not really a baseball stadium but it did host the Washington Senators from 1962-1971. RFK stadium is more associated with the Washington Football Team (Commanders) from 1961 - 1996.

Construction of Nationals Park began in May 2006 to the cost of $693 million. Nationals Park opened on March 30, 2008 with the Nationals playing the Atlanta Braves. The Nationals won 3-2 with a walk-off home run by Ryan Zimmerman. What a great way to open the new stadium with a win and a walk-off.

A couple of milestones that happened at Nationals Park....

*Randy Johnson won his 300th game there on June 4, 2009 vs. the Nationals

*Stephen Strasburg made his MLB debut June 8, 2010 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Stephen pitched 7 innings, gave up 2 runs, and struck out 14 batters. A team single game strike out record at the time.

*The first playoff games were played at Nationals Park in October 2012.

*In a game that Tracy and I were in attendance at, Albert Pujols hit his 499th and 500th home runs on April 22, 2014.

*September 28, 2014 Jordan Zimmerman pitches a no-hitter vs. the Miami Marlins.

*They hosted the 2015 NHL Winter Classic. Won by the Washington Capitals 3-2

*Max Scherzer pitches a no-hitter on June 20, 2015.

*Max Scherzer has a 20 strike out performance with the Nationals winning 3-2. Scherzer did give up 2 solo homers in this game.

*Nationals Park hosted the 2018 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. This was the first All-Star game played in DC since 1969. Bryce Harper, then a Washington National, won the Home Run Derby.

*October 2019 the Washington Nationals played in the World Series, becoming the first team ever to lose all the World Series games at home but still win the World Series by defeating the Houston Astros in becoming the 2019 World Champions. These were the first World Series games played in DC since 1933.

A little less than 7 hours until Opening Day at Nationals Park. The game was originally scheduled for a 4:05pm start time, but due to weather in the area the game has been moved back to a 7:05pm start time. Getting ready to get down to DC and cheer on the Nationals for the 2022 season and officially begin our 30 MLB Stadium Tour!

One of my favorite sayings regarding baseball is by Bill Veeck. He said "There are only two seasons - winter and baseball." I guess winter ended yesterday because baseball season starts today!!!!