A great email came in the other day from William Yurasko, a DC guy who blogs about his beloved Washington Nationals, and who we met back at RFK Stadium in 2005.

William read up on our postings and venue profiles, and fills in a lot of holes with some really good stuff about the Nats’ ballpark experience. Rather than cherry picking, here is his correspondence:

-Half-smokes, determined by Post columnist Marc Fisher to be D.C.’s official food, come from Ben’s Chili Bowl. Ben’s is a venerable institution on U Street NW (once known as “Black Broadway”) that survived not only the ‘68 riots, but the Green Line construction. Bill Cosby is a noted fan of Ben’s and always eats there for free when he is in town. Ben’s in the ballpark was something that had wide public support, so when it was announced with great fanfare when the Nationals brought them on board. I love the chili Half-Smokes, all the way. By the way, you mentioned Good Times Cafe, but is actually called Hard Times Cafe. They are a local/regional sit-down chili parlor franchise.

-The office building that blocks the view of the Capitol dome from many seats was actually, in a cruel irony, developed by the Lerner family, the Nationals owners. The building was approved and under construction before the ballpark location was selected.

-As for the redeveloping neighborhood, there is an excellent site called Near SE Redevelopment and (ballpark specifically) about the changing neighborhood.

-There is also expected to be a water taxi/ferry within the next few years, something I am very excited about happening. I interviewed the webmistress right before the park opened.

-There is actually a 1924 flag flying near the scoreboard, I only noticed it a few days ago myself.

-#10 is not retired for the fans (yet and hopefully never) as Ronnie Belliard, who hit a walk-off homer on Sunday, wears it.

-After Nats home runs (provided they are not the walk-off variety Bustin’ Loose, by the godfather of go-go/D.C. legend Chuck Brown is played. You probably did not hear it played while you were in town

-There are dozens of bike racks on the ballpark site. I biked over there once to get tickets, but have yet to do it for a game. There is a bike valet.

-Here is my review of Nationals Park, using the metrics that ESPN Page 2 used a few years ago.

-My father-in-law is an executive with one of the subcontractors who built Nationals Park. Previously, he was involved with Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, Univ. of Maryland’s Comcast center among other sports venues.

I’m glad you enjoyed the park. In a few years, when the neighborhood is more developed it should be an even better experience.
- William

All good stuff William! I especially like the water taxi/ferry idea… riding the Anacostia River to get to the game. We will let you know when we hit town again!

-Andrew Kulyk

PS - Had to throw in the photo (above) of Buffalo Bisons icon Luke Easter, who is enshrined in the corridors of Nationals Park for his days with the Homestead Grays of the Negro League. It was really awesome stumbling on that exhibit as part of our tour.

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