Trip through the Rotation, Part 1

With the Cubs in town, one of my season tickets on Monday, and the NRL buying a block of tickets for Tuesday, I have an opportunity to see five consecutive Nationals games live, which of course takes me through the entire rotation. So I figured I'd make this a Hatblog Event (also known as "getting off of my lazy ass and posting for once in my freakin' life..")--5 games, 5 nights, 4 seats, 5 hats.

Game 1: 5/13/05, Glendon Rusch (Game Score 47, 7 Fantasy Points) vs. Esteban Loaiza (56, 13--and for Most Improved Sexbomb to boot)

WP: Ohman
LP: Ayala
S: Wellemeyer

Seating: Section 215, Row 2, Seat 9
Hat: Cloth Cubs C, a little dusty from softball

Tonight was the night to honor some Negro Leauge veterans, including Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe, the oldest living such person (102). He also threw out the first pitch, by which I mean he tossed the ball from a golf cart about 4 in. to one of the Nationals coaches. Hey, if I'm 102 and possessing enough faculties to grip the ball I'll be happy. Naturally, during the on-the-Jumbotron trivia contest they select one fan to do in the middle of the 3rd, it was all about the Negro Leagues--and they selected a white guy. He got them all right though, and seemingly without the help of yours truly, who was seated right behind the aisle where they do it and unfortunately got his mug on the Jumbotron. Oh well. I did note with some glee that the cameraman, the contestant, and the happy interns they put there to express cheerleader-like glee all got in the aisle and crouched down with two outs in the top of the third--just in time for the Cubs to get a walk and three singles and score twice, all while they sat there. Heh. That'll teach 'em to jump the gun.

I was almost straight behind home plate. I probably shouldn't dispose of my disposalable income so quickly...but too bad. The section in front of that, 115, they actually armband people, presumably so they don't have to check tickets all the time to slow up the people who want to sneak in. But, given that someone comes constantly and stands in the aisle taking orders and bringing food and beer, getting in the way of people behind them, they shouldn't have to leave anyway.

There was a foul ball off of the press box that landed one row behind me and four seats over. The usher down there has green and yellow cards to hold up to indicate either that everyone's fine or they need assistance after such an event.

With the game tied going into the top of the 8th, Aramis Ramirez led off. I got to shout at him, and possibly be heard, "All for one!" Given that he homered that at bat, and I got to shout "One for all!" as he crossed the plate, those of you who think I'm a collossal dork for doing that will just have to put up with it for the rest of my life. The inning also featured Jerry Hairston missing a squeeze sign, but Jeromy Burnitz scoring when catcher Gary Bennett dropped a return throw. Since Henry Mateo missed a bunt on a squeeze attmept in the second inning, I saw two blown squeezes while in perfect position to appreciate them. That was pretty cool.

Given that error and another when Corey Patterson hit a dribbler that no one could get to and pitcher Chad Cordero glove-shoveled it into right field, the Nats fans cleared out by the bottom of the ninth to the point where I think there were more Cubs fans left...who had to endure Kremlin Emigre try to give the game away. But the wind helped knock down Jose Guillen's bid for a walk-off slam and Wellemeyer got the save. New Cubs closer? We'll see....