Could the Nats get a slugger in 2012 to fill those empty seats? (Luis Gomez, “Baseball Season”)
From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome. Email him at [email protected].
Oh, New Year’s. The hype of a birthday party but with the results usually reserved for hometown reunions; too much to drink in unfamiliar places with tons of strangers. That aside, I had a wonderful new years break all over Route I-95 from Camden, New Jersey to NYC and Boston — and was thankful that it fell on a weekend giving us a short week back to the grind.
But, as the weather turns frigid (it’s snowing as I write this), what can we look forward to next year? What can DC hope to accomplish in 20-dozen?
Make Navy Yard Matter
I mean this in two ways. First, there is a rumor floating around (and these things do change often), that monster slugger Prince Fielder is in talks with the Nationals. This is a game changer for a team that showed signs of life last year, and is desperately seeking a bat to help them compete with the Phillies. This would automatically give the Nats a serious attendance boost in 2012, and a shot at the NL East (okay, maybe not, but I know I’d go just to watch Prince).
Second, even though the area around Navy Yard is getting better, we have to keep up the momentum. Hopefully soon, developers and nightlife investors will be able to patch together some fun bars and good restaurants in that area. Then we can replace Georgetown’s waterfront and M street areas with a spot more Metro accessible.
Don’t Let Bikers Run DC (But Do Use BikeShare)
I am somewhat ambivalent to the biking cause in DC, as some of you may recall from a previous column — I still think bike lanes could be a great place for joggers. (As for utilizing bike lane lanes, DC politicians do it with their cars.) However, I do recommend using Capital Bikeshare more when it gets warmer. This is a pretty amazing and still under-utilized piece of infrastructure in DC. Biking is a great alternative to get to more places in the city without a car — and without depending on the inconsistent subway and bus system.
If You Want to See Winners, Go Caps!
The Caps are the best team in DC, hockey or otherwise. The Redskins did their predictable late season swan dive while lying about fan attendance. The Wizards have yet to win a game (I will be attending their Friday game vs. the Knicks, review to come). The Caps may have to fight hard for a playoff spot, but their fans are passionate and their games are always exciting. Even nosebleed seats are great and right on the red line so “Rock the Red,” as they say.
Vote for Barack Obama Again
Way better than whatever Iowa decides.
Of course there are more, but it’s a start to what I think should make a 2012 great (that and we need a diner in Borderstan, a real 24-hour diner). Hope everyone had a great New Year celebration, finished strong in their fantasy leagues (for me, two 4th Place finishes and one 10th Place, not great), and starts off the year well in all ways.
Thought of the Week
NFL Playoffs start Saturday. Can’t Wait.
