Posted on 11/19/2004 8:52:27 PM PST by nypokerface
WASHINGTON - The Montreal Expos are about to get their new name: the Washington Nationals. A city official and a baseball official, both speaking on condition of anonymity, said Friday that the team will reveal its new name, cap and red-white-and-blue color scheme during a news conference Monday.
The search for a new name began Sept. 29, when Major League Baseball announced it planned to relocate the team for the 2005 season. Initially, the plan was to wait until the team was sold to select the name, but the sale process is expected to take months — and the team needs to start marketing itself in its new home city immediately.
The top contenders were Nationals, Senators and Grays, with Senators the sentimental favorite. The original American League Senators played in the nation's capital from 1901-60 before moving to Minnesota to become the Twins. The expansion Senators called Washington home from 1961-71 before moving to Texas to become the Rangers. Senators was also the preference of commissioner Bud Selig, even though the Rangers still hold the rights to the name.
But Mayor Anthony Williams objected, saying the name isn't appropriate, given the District of Columbia's lack of representation in the U.S. Senate.
"We don't have senators here," the mayor said in September. "Give us two senators, and I'll be happy to call them the Senators."
Williams preferred the Grays, a tribute to the Homestead Grays, a Negro League team that played many of its games in Washington in the 1930s and 1940s. Historians, however, noted that the Grays' real home was Pittsburgh.
The compromise was Nationals. The Nationals, or Nats, was considered the original official nickname of the 1901-60 team. But fans instead adopted Senators, which was the name of two National League teams in Washington in the late 1800s.
Baseball owners still must approve the move. They delayed a vote when they met Thursday but said one will take place by Dec. 6. The relocation is also contingent on the D.C. government enacting legislation by Dec. 31 to finance a new ballpark.
So now they'll be the Canadian Nationals?
Grays or Gays?
"The DuPont Circle Gays." Has a nice ring to it.
Washington Nats sounds like a bunch of bugs -- oh, that's gnats. Never mind.
The Nationals? Now that is about the lamest name I have ever heard for a team in a sport filled with odd team names? Given Dem dominance of DC, they should name them the Internationalists. Since the Mayor is right, D.C. doesn't have anyone in the Senate, maybe we should name the team for something D. C. is bountiful in? My suggestions are one of these names: thugs, murderers, crackheads, liberals, car thieves, panderers, and Democrats (which are all synonymous).
But
He says "Grays" are ok, even though the team was based out of Pitt, NOT DC. Historically inaccurate.
Looks like he is more concerned with pushing his racial agenda than historical accuracy. Nats is a silly name anyway.
How about the Washington Sprees? It stands for BOTH shooting sprees, which they have plenty of on the near northeast side, and the spending sprees they have up on the hill, right?
I like that, it appeals to both levels of Washington society. The Criminals is also an apt name which would describe those on the hill as well as those in hood.
Well, there was the Washington Bullets...
THAT's what they'll be called. It'll be the team everyone wants to beat. Of course, it would have been perfect if they'd called themselves, The Washington Generals.
Shouldn't it be the "Washington-Reagan Nationals"?
They won't be there long enough to enjoy the name. My bet is that they start talking of leaving by 2012, and actually pack up by 2014. They can't sustain profit to market a major league team. Its a lose-lose situation. Baseball should have just dumped the Expos period.
I don't care for the name Nationals...it could lead to a nickname like Natsies.
Anyway, American Samoans are U.S. nationals...residents of DC are citizens.
Bingo!! The name should be the Senators. Mayor Williams is currently absorbed in his self-importance. I'm not sure why he has a say in this at all.
LETS GO NATS!
Wouldn't that be the "Fruit Loops"?
"We have the best congress money can buy."
"There is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress."
"Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."
-- all by Mark Twain (found at http://freedomkeys.com/politicians.htm )
"Let's go NUTS!" or
"Let go, GNATS!"
"Watch your 'GO GNADS!'
Oh, well, anyway, the "Washington Wizards" has to be by far the most inappropriate and ridiculous name any team has ever changed to. The closest thing Washington ever saw to a wizard was Supreme Court Justice Byron "Whizzer" White. So "Washington Whizzers" maybe, but NOT "Wizards!" Sheesh!
Washington Parasites, would work pretty good.
D.C. Rocks
Washington Crackheads
D.C. Speedsters
Washington Ecstacy
D.C. Loveboats
In honor of the esteemed Mayor Marion Barry
Great promos:
Every man that steals base gets to freebase.
Shirts with crackpipe logo on front and italicized "The B**ch Set Me Up" on the back with team colors. Great for the children.
Heartattack Paranoia Wednesday
Pimp N' Ho Twi-night Double Headers
Gangland Hall of Fame Game
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