World Series Is Back In DC And It's One Expensive Party
WASHINGTON (AP) — The first World Series game in the nation's capital since 1933 had all the trappings of a modern-day big event: exceedingly expensive tickets, massive traffic jams and long lines at the entrances and concession stands.
No one seemed to care about all that, not with the Nationals holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series heading into the biggest baseball game this city has hosted this generation.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!" declared 43-year-old Colin Miller, who paid $849 for a standing room ticket that provided him a spot far beyond the right field wall for Friday night's game.
The hottest seat in town did not come cheap. Miller was standing next to a guy he'd never met, 39-year-old Paul Crickenberger, who plunked down $2,400 for two 40-game season tickets in 2020 for the right to spend $350 for a standing-room slot.
"Well worth it. You never know the next time this is going to come," Crickenberger said.
Hard to imagine that anyone at that 1933 World Series game against the New York Giants figured it would be 86 years before D.C. hosted baseball's premier event again. But that's exactly how it played out, so Nationals Park was the place to be on this lovely fall night.
As the fans streamed into the stadium from the entrance beyond center field, many posed for selfies with the traditional big-headed participants in the President's Race: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
Not far from there, 28-year-old Reid Williams watched batting practice. He was wearing a Nats jersey with the No. 34 on the back. That's Bryce Harper's jersey, but Williams taped over the name because this town wants nothing to do with Harper after he left as a free agent to Philadelphia last offseason.
"Isn't it ironic? After he leaves, we make it," Williams said, clutching a beer while smiling broadly.
This was a party surrounding a baseball game, a bash for all ages.
"I've never been to a World Series," 73-year-old Vicki Langbein said. "It's a lifetime experience."
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