One Night in DC...

So the aforementioned one-game playoff between the Orioles and the Rangers actually did come to fruition last week.  Baseball tried actively to destroy the marriage of Catia and Alex!  I honestly never thought it would do such a thing. 

I happened to be in Vegas that night (a story for another day) and didn’t really watch, but at one point, while walking the strip I caught a glimpse of Baltimore players on TV smiling and giving interviews, so I figured somewhere in New York, Catia was being let down gently.  That same night, that complete debacle of an ending happened between Atlanta and St Louis, when the incredibly inept and inane infield-fly-rule finally reared its long-standing ugly head on a national stage, and ruined a baseball game.  It was bound to happen eventually.  But who cares about that?  That’s just scenery.   

In the game that really mattered, Alex’s Orioles took down Catia’s Rangers.  I was really only slightly worried, but I needed to test the waters, so I texted Alex, “It’s not so bad… she can just be an Orioles fan for a while.”  Y’know marriage is a two-way street after all.  He got me back, “Indeed.  She’s still in mourning, but insists she’ll be good to go by tomorrow.”

I love it.  Even among the true fans, love still conquers all.  It’s very good to know that this marriage is safe!

Speaking of which, I’m in Washington DC this weekend with the Lady Underdog, for a wedding.  Lakisha’s best friend from high school is tying the knot so we flew in from LA.  We came into town last night just as the Nationals were pulling off a dramatic ninth inning win against St Louis, forcing a winner-take-all game five tonight.  Then later in the night, after we saw the Knicks play the Wizards (more on that later,) the Baltimore Orioles won in extra innings against the Yankees.

Setting up a… you guessed it, winner-take-all game five for the Orioles and Yankees tonight in New York.  And incidentally, in addition to the obvious David vs Goliath appeal, the Orioles and the Yankees split 18 games this season and they are 2-2 in this series, so this is basically the rubber match for a best-of-25-game series.  Incredible.  It's going right down to the wire seemingly even to the most minute detail.  And of course, the Nationals have never been in a position like this.  

So let’s examine.  Everyone in this town is either an Orioles fan or a Nationals fan, (and anyone who is a Nationals fan probably used to be an Orioles fan, (back before the team brought Major League baseball back here from Montreal in 2005.)  And even then, the Nationals have been a complete after-thought until recently.  So basically the Orioles are playing in their most important game in 15 years, and Washington is hosting their most important baseball game in 75 years, on the same night.  I would guess that when Emily and Kevin planned this wedding, they didn’t realize that it would be taking place on DC’s single most important baseball night, of all time. What a night to be in Washington!   

Both games will take place at the exact same time as this wedding and reception.  As an outsider, it will be fun to take a look around the room at various times to see who is checking their phones, who is half listening to conversations, who is sweating, or who is smiling.  Depending on the updates and outcomes, all of these are possible.  We will only be a short distance from Nationals Park up near the National Mall, so maybe we’ll even hear the roars of the crowd.  Amazing.  And all of this is just the backdrop to the best day of Emily and Kevin’s lives, as she walks to him down that aisle.

Well, I don’t think they have anything to worry about.  I mean, if Catia and Alex’s marriage can survive baseball’s second ever one-game playoff, then there is hope for us all.
Let's go O's!!!  

Underdogs Out!