I AM A WASHINGTON NATIONALS FAN

I always was, I just didn't know it until the announcement at noon today. I'm not so thrilled about the logo at left, mostly because it's too wide. "NATIONALS" should be a tiny bit smaller so as to fit with the circle. It's also too busy — the only focal point is that big N-word across the middle, and it requires reading. Ugh. Think of the most popular baseball caps: the interlocked "NY" for Yankees, the letter "B" for Boston. Of course, both teams have different versions for more formal uses — though I'd like to point out that those logos are round. But the colors — red, white and blue — are spot on.

For haberdashering purposes, according to the Post, the logo will be "a curving 'W,' on a blue background and on a red background, presumably for home and away games." And of course, another "W" will be throwing out that first pitch next spring.

I should also say, the name itself suits me just fine. It's classic, which is to say America-themed. "Senators" was the early front-runner until it ran afoul first of jilted former Senators fans and then of residents forever irked that the city (remember, it's a city!) has no representation in the U.S. Senate. Some argued for the "Grays," a throwback to the championship-winning Negro League team from DC. I would have agreed if the name was someting a little more, uh, colorful than "Grays." But the name "Nationals" has a history in DC as well, as a story at MLB.com explains. And perhaps more than any other city in this country (save for Williamsburg) we sure like our history.

And you know what they say about Washington: First in war, first in peace, last in the American National League.

UPDATE, MOMENTS LATER — Matt Drudge is such an idiot, a) for comparing the local Greens' anti-baseball demonstration to last week's pile-on at the Palace, and b) for pointing out that the new team name is "not really that new." Drudge, do everyone a favor and shut up. I think what's afflicting him is what they call "freudeschaden."

UPDATE AGAIN — According to this website, the image at right is the old Nationals logo. Maybe I shouldn't be complaining.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UPDATE — Everyone seems to agree. The Nationals logo looks like the National League's All-Star jersey, pictured below.


Remember, the city council hasn't voted accept the existing finance deal and the owners haven't voted to approve the sale, either. A few weeks ago, the city seemed ready to balk. Word is the Orioles' Angelos still isn't happy. But this is a city built on deals, right? So we'll deal with it.

ALSO — Is this anything like the Atlanta Hawks being moved to Las Vegas or San Diego and being renamed the Westerns? No? Just asking.

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posted by WWB at 1:59 PM |