Beltway Series?

June 24, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) slides into second base safely after hitting a double in the sixth inning as Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) does not get the throw in time at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Nationals 2 – 1. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

It’s a little off-topic (OK, a LOT off-topic), but I can’t resist!  There is a possibility I might actually see a Beltway series this year.  The Nationals have had an amazing season, and are still playing well, despite Strasburg’s shutdown.  It’s a good example of the importance of a robust farm system. The Orioles have been doing extraordinarily well under the leadership of Buck Showalter, and playing with grit and determination.

In any case, I’m tickled at the thought, and very happy to see a resurgence of DC area sports.  Even the Redskins are looking good this year, despite Dan Snyder’s best efforts.

There are a lot of baseball fans in DC who shifted their loyalty to Baltimore after the departure of the Senators, and I’m one of them.   When the Nationals moved to town, it took several years for me to pay attention to them, and since I was living almost exactly between the two cities, it was easier to keep pulling for the orange and black.  It’s been a long road for the Nationals, and my best hope for this year was for a .500 season. I had no hopes for the O’s. The odds are still pretty long for the Orioles, given the strenght and experience of the Rangers, but baseball is about hope, if nothing else.

What a treat it would be to see the hype and hysteria of a Beltway series!