3 Pirates Fans Adventures In Washington, DC

View from Center Field During
Pirates Batting Practice

If you follow me on Twitter (@BnGBlitz), then you know that Monday night myself and 2 fellow Pirates fans traveled from our homes in Western Maryland and Northern Virginia to see our Buccos face off against the Washington Nationals in our nation's capital.  As a tried and true Pittsburgh fan, I am always a little weary heading into "enemy territory".  Whether it was my trip to the Verizon Center this year to see the Penguins defeat the Washington Capitals, going to Camden Yards in Baltimore last year to see the Pirates gets smoked by the O's, or my first trip to "Nats Park" to see Andrew McCutchen and Company go against Bryce Harper's group.  Why am I weary of this?  Simple.  You never know how the home fans are going to react to fans of the visiting team invading their home field advantage...and let me tell you that Pittsburgh fans are everywhere.  I noticed on Twitter that the Nationals broadcast crew stated "Pittsburgh fans sure do travel well...", and they aren't incorrect.  I spoke with several Pirates fans that had traveled to DC to see this series from the 'burgh, but the majority of the Pirates fans that I talked to were now living in the DC/MD/VA area after moving away from their roots in "Pittsburgh Country".  Nonetheless, I figured I would document my trip...everything from the intelligence of Nats fans to me meeting the Pirates President, Bob Nutting.


- Maybe its something about a big city, but I am a very "open" Pittsburgh fan.  I'm that guy that will say "Let Go Bucs!" to someone randomly walking down the street if they are wearing the colors.  As we were driving through downtown DC I saw a young male (probably mid 20s) and a girl.  The young man was wearing a Cutch t-shirt.  I roll down the window and yell "LETS GO BUCS!" out the window.  You would have thought I yelled "HE'S GOT A GUN!".  The man nearly dropped to the ground leaving his girl friend hanging out to dry.  Left me just shaking my head.

Our seats were ON THE FIELD. Charlie
Morton getting loose before the game

- While at the game I went to buy some adult beverages, and while walking back there was a man in a St. Louis Cardinals Pujols jersey.  As the man approaches, he looks at me in my Willie Stargell shirt and says "Hows 2nd place feel?"  Without missing a beat, I said "Nice one buddy" and kept walking.  I have to say, my first question I asked myself was why in the world a Cardinals fan would attend a Pirates vs. Nationals game and wear a jersey.  Also, why would he talk trash when the Pirates are only one game behind in the standings.  Some people never cease to amaze me, but I had more important things to worry about...like getting my cold beverages back to my seats.


- Since I've moved to Maryland, there have always been 2 things that seem to ring true in regards to Washington fans.  #1 - They are frontrunners and #2 - They are always late to events.  Both of these rules certainly ring true.  The Nationals are struggling, and although I know it was a Monday Night game, the ball park was fairly empty.  I can't say that as a Pirates fan most fans could say anything.  There were several times in the mid 2000s when PNC Park looked more like a HS game than a MLB game in terms of attendance.  However, the Nats are coming off of a division title and are not out of their division or Wild Card race at this point in the season.  The second rule always rings true as well.  DC fans show up late to EVERTHING.  Caps games, Redskins games, and now Nationals games.  Guess they feel they have "more important things to do".

- At the 7th inning stretch, I turned to my friends and said "I'm getting some ice cream."  As I showed up to the ice cream stand there were several other Pirates fans in line.  We talked about the team and the potential that this team has.  I turned to look behind me, and who was there?  Bob Nutting.  I turn and say to the other Pirate fans in line with me "Holy Sh!t, that's Bob Nutting!"  They respond with a classic line "WHO?"  After explaining to them that he owns the team he was right behind me.  I turned and said "Mr. Nutting its a pleasure to meet you!"  We actually talked in line for a few minutes about the fact that he and I are both from Wheeling, WV and attended the same church.  I left him with this statement "I really hope this year is the year for the Pirates" and he said "We are going to do everything in our power to make this THE year.  Keep supporting the Pirates" and I responded with "I could never turn my back on them..."  After my brush with a man that most people demise, I will say that its easier said than done to say "I would have given him a piece of my mind!"  When you are faced with actually meeting this person you almost become shell shocked.  Could Bob Nutting have at least said "Hey I'll pick up this guy's $4.00 ice cream cone"?  Yes, he could have, but it was still awesome getting to meet him.  Last thought on this:  SHAME on the Pirates fans that didn't know who Bob Nutting is...I would understand not recognizing him, but educate yourselves people!

- The Nationals Ball Park is a really nice ball park.  Brand new, very clean, and has a lot of great amenities.  However, as I talked with my brother (the main man who scored us these tickets from his work), we talked about how a stadium in Washington, DC could be better.  For those that aren't aware of the district, the stadium is in Southeast DC.  That basically means its been placed in a "not so nice" part of town.  Look at PNC Park.  The stadium is small in terms of modern MLB stadiums, but for what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty.  The Pittsburgh sky line can take your attention away from the ball game if you aren't careful.  The stadium in DC could have an unbelievable backdrop of our nation's capital, but rumor has it you have to go to the UPPER deck to see just the very top of the capital building.  Nothing stands out about the stadium, but its better than a lot that I've been in.  By the way, it was always fun seeing the Presidents vs Perogies race...pictured above.


It was an eventful evening at the ball park, and there is always something about sitting down in the heat and watching your favorite baseball team.  I was weary about Charlie Morton taking the mound, but he didn't disappoint.  Getting to see "Cutch" hit two 2 run HRs was a blast, and as always...seeing Pittsburgh take over an opponents home stadium never gets old.  I don't know if I'll get to see the Pirates in person again this season, but this was a night I'll never forget.  If you read all the way to this point...thanks for taking this trip with me...Lets Go Bucs!!