Tuesday, March 23, 2021

The Lore of Baseball

This evening I’m enjoying a Nationals Classic baseball game from May of 2012, with newly-brought-up Bryce Harper, still green behind the ears, was playing his first home stand to a half empty stadium. Zim was at Third, and Werth had just arrived in Right Field, one year prior. Laroche was our First Baseman, and Desi at Shortstop. 

Zim, Werth, Desi, and Laroche... those were exciting days, as the Nats made their first-ever post season appearance in October. 2012 was also the year that I reached major league fandom.  

The Nats opponent on this particular occasion was the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Matt Williams as Third Base Coach, and Gerardo Parra as a starting Outfielder. 

Stalwart Nats fans will remember Williams as the expressionless Nats Manager in 2014-15, who failed to notice a scuffle in his own dugout between Papplebon and Bryce Harper on the last day of the 2015 season (and the last day of William’s tenure as Manager). Coincidence? I think not. 

Bandwagon Nats fans will remember Parra as the enthusiastic veteran on the bench who introduced Baby Shark walk-ups and dugout dancing during the National’s 2019 run-up to the World Series Championship. Some day those fans will find themselves reaching back to savor their storied memories, just as I’m savoring mine, today.

3 comments:

  1. I reach back a few years earlier, when the Nats sucked, but as Phillies fans, we could go and take over the park for the night! Times change, but the lure to the lore of the park remains! Play ball!!

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    Replies
    1. YOU are not of THEM, are you?!! Those takeovers of our park are legendary! But I’ll forgive you, since we are more recent WS Champs than the Phillies are! LOL

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  2. I like the division between stalwart and bandwagon-- only a true fan would make that distinction!

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