The 2018 MLB All-Star Game is in Washington, DC this year at the home of the Nats – Nationals Park. You would think that since I am an autograph collector I’d be downtown right now at Fan Fest at the Convention Center, or that tomorrow I’d be downtown at Nats Park in Play Ball Park located outside the stadium, or maybe that I’d even be going to an event were Adam Jones will be at Modell’s. You’d think that wouldn’t you.
The truth is that first and foremost crowds get to me. I like people enough when they are normal, but they are normal at those events. Then add in the heat and you’ve got a great combo of people swirling around in their own sweat and dislike for each other and that doesn’t help any situation. Heck, the company I work for even put out a travel advisory because we have offices right near the park and it’s going to be a mad house. That’s not to say that I haven’t gone to things like this, but nowhere near the level of this event.
This weekend you’ll find me in Richmond with the family checking out some museums and relaxing a little.
But this morning in the paper I found some magic. It’s been kind of quiet I feel like around here related to the game, maybe a hangover from the Caps Stanley Cup victory. But what I saw this morning was getting me a little more excited.
Washington Post All-Star Game Section
The Washington Post had a special section for the All-Star Game (would you believe to add to all this they had a special section of the opening of Audi Field as well – where DC United will play starting Saturday with the intro of Wayne Rooney). The post does this type of thing a lot for these types of events. It actually only had a little information about the current year’s All-Stars. They put in the rosters and then a few charts that showed where each player hits home runs. Beyond that it was more DC focused.
There was an article about the Celebrity Softball game and who would be playing, an article about Bryce Harper and how he might be around these parts for much longer, and an article about the great moments in Nats Park throughout it’s 10 year history.
I really love that cover by the way. That’s home plate in the shape of DC.
The All-Star Game in Washington, DC
My favorite piece was about the 1969 MLB All-Star Game played in RFK that was rained out and postponed until the next day. The other thing I enjoyed surprised me a bit. I’m no Nats fan, but there was a section about the “Living All-Stars” from the Nationals (and Senators). It had a little bit about each player and their All-Star story. Maybe that was about the game itself or how they found out they would be an All-Star.
You Said Cards Dude… Where Are The Cards!!!
So I told you there were cards and here they are. This was an insert in the special section and it included 18 cards. The cards were for each of the fan-voted starters. Because of the DC, the National League had a card for Nats Park. Of course they would have to be cut out to be actual cards, but Topps put these together and they have the Washington Post and Topps.
The cards are art on the front and then the standard stats on the back and a story. The art was done by Aaron Dana and Kagan McLeod, while the text on the back was written by Dave Sheinin from The Post. They aren’t the most amazing cards in the world, but I like the simple nature of them. I prefer the American League art to the National League art, but it’s not a huge difference.
You can actually open your own pack here.
Washington Post Weekend Section
I always read the Weekend section, probably because it’s easy to read. I don’t know how many times I’ve actually done anything from that section, but I like reading about good food and we do look for things to do.
The main article for this week is about the game, but really about things around the game and not the event itself.
What to Do, See, Eat…
There’s a lot about the other events near the stadium and in the city like Play Ball Park and the Fan Fest downtown. But there’s also a little bit about food in and out of the park. I like the article about the $25 meal challenge and I might have to take that on wen I head to the game the next time the Mets are in town. There’s also something about the best places to stand in the park. I think that might be something I can check out at a non-Mets game when I don’t mind walking around. Maybe I’ll find a good view for a picture.
Off the Beaten Path
If you don’t want to be as close to the game, the Library of Congress has an exhibit called Baseball Americana that goes through the end of the month and like a lot of things in DC – IT’S FREE! I don’t think enough people realize that about DC. All those museums on the mall and the monuments are free. Even if you aren’t an art person, why not take a stroll through the National Gallery, what have you got to lose.
As for the exhibit it includes things like AAGPBL uniforms and the Laws of Baseball written in 1857. Maybe I’ll take a trip back there before the end of the month.
So if you just came to this post for the cards… great! If you came because you might be heading to the game, or just that general area, I suggest grabbing today’s WaPo. It’s good to support newspapers these days.
Here’s some stuff I found on the WaPo site:
Seven events in D.C. that highlight all the fun and history of baseball
In D.C. for the All-Star Game? Let the Nationals tell you where to eat.