Capital Return

A couple of weeks ago, MLB announced that the Montreal Expos would end their tenure in Canada (and San Juan on a minimal basis) and move the Washington D.C., a move long overdue and necessary. Personally, I have looked forward to baseball in the nation's capital since the early 1990's, when a series of expansion began. Teams were placed in Miami, Denver, Phoenix, and Tampa/St. Petersburg rather than the largest media market without a team. I think this is great move for baseball, and it should turn out to be a success. As for Montreal, do not be surprised to hear it mentioned in the future as a possible expansion site and even the site of an expansion franchise. While times have been tough for baseball in Montreal, there wasa following there, and during the more successful periods in the history of the Expos, attendance was not an issue. I will go on the record first and say that baseball will return to Montreal in the next 20 years.

Excitement in Washington must be high. After having not one, but two, franchises taken away, baseball will be played in D.C. again for the first time since 1971. I hope that the future owners (since MLB will no doubt sell the team for a hefty profit) will honor the history of baseball in Washington with constant reminders of players and eras past. As a fan of the game, I believe this to be essential, not only to this relocated franchise, but for all teams. One of my favorite ways to honor the past is through the retiring of uniform numbers. The Washington "Senators" or "Grays", my two favorite name possibilities, should, either at the home opener or days during the first season, retire numbers honoring one great from each era of Washington baseball. These players are Walter Johnson (from the pre-Minnesota Twins Senators), Frank Howard (from the pre-Texas Rangers Senators), and Josh Gibson (who, as a member of the Negro League Homestead Grays, played many home games in D.C.). Since Johnson did not wear a uniform number, the team could retire the number 417 (his win total, and number most associated with him) or an old Senators "W" (ala the retired "NY" for Christy Mathewson and John McGraw in San Francisco). Howard, in his time with the Senators, wore two numbers (9 and 33), and his number 33, which he wore the last season in Washington should be honored. Gibson, the great slugger who never played in the major leagues, wore the number 20. I hope when I visit RFK Stadium in the future, those numbers (W, 33, and 20) will be hanging on a wall or from a facade.