‘Natitude’ Brings Rare Unity to US Capital

It hasn’t come to a standstill. But business as usual in Washington DC, a buttoned-down city renowned for its uninterrupted political brawling, has been conspicuously disrupted this week as fans across the ideological spectrum unite behind the capital’s major league baseball team. The Washington Nationals are in postseason playoff contention for the World Series (the grandly-titled name of the annual professional baseball championship in the United States) and this week marked the first time in 79 years that a postseason major league baseball game was played in the US capital. The Nationals are affectionately known as the “Nats” and the fervent crescendo of enthusiasm for the team as “Natitude.” Tens of thousands of fans bedecked in the Nats’ signature red flocked to Washington’s new stadium to attend the game on Wednesday, many DC-area employers gave staff the afternoon off to watch the game on television and local government officials have even rescheduled the people’s business in order to “ignite their Natitude,” as the catch-phrase of the week in Washington would have it. Like winning sports teams, bipartisan unity is a rare commodity in Washington, especially on the eve of a presidential election. But the Nats’ improbable drive toward baseball’s championship in a sport often called “America’s pastime” has professional politicians and other local residents lining up as one in support of the hometown team, regardless of their political views.
Photo:Washington DC baseball fans take an afternoon off to watch the hometown baseball team in a rare post-season playoff game.

The Washington Nationals’ success draws enthusiasts from all walks of life across the ideological spectrum.

The corridors of power seemed deserted as Democrats and Republicans alike turned their attention to the fate of the ‘Nats’.

A Washington DC team hasn’t won a World Series championship since the Senators clinched the title back in 1924, and the city hosted its last playoff game on October 7, 1933 when the New York Giants beat the Senators 4-3.

The Nationals have ended the dry spell and given the city its best hope of winning the World Series pennant, especially since the team had the best record in baseball this year.

The Washington Nationals appearance in the playoffs reminds Republicans and Democrats that baseball is America’s national pastime and not political gridlock as both sides come together to root for the Washington Nationals to win the World Series.

Baseball fanatics were upset upon finding out that the first playoff game in generations would be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, a time when most are at work and would have to beg their bosses to leave for the game or come up with a good excuse for missing work.

Another difficulty fans had in viewing the game is that it was broadcast on the MLB Network, which would require most viewers to have a cable premium package already installed in their homes.

Ticket prices were as high as $1,000 for Wednesday’s playoff game, and fans lined up early in the morning to grab the last tickets remaining for standing-room only seats.

Mark Pellegrini was selling Washington National paraphernalia as fans left the ball park on Wednesday, and he said, “I haven’t seen this much excitement in Washington since the Redskins were winning their Super Bowls back in the 80s.”

The Nationals are playing the fourth game in a best-of-five series on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals, which lead the series 2-1.

“There is just nothing more exciting than baseball in October. Along with apple pie and Chevrolet, nothing brings Americans together like baseball. The Washington Nationals continue to make us proud and bring our city together, regardless of politics and party affiliation,” said Jack Evans, Washington DC councilmember and avid baseball fan.