Well, early on in this 2005 Major League Baseball season, one thing is certain. The Washington Nationals are one team that most definitely knows how to make an entrance. Last week when they opened their season in Philly with a three game set, the bats came out hot, and the relief pitching saved the day as they took two of three from their division rivals. Tonight, after a week and a half on the road, they made their capital city debut as they took on the Diamondbacks at RFK Stadium.

The night was electric. That’s what I heard at least, I didn’t go. Hell, I couldn’t have gone if I had wanted to, as tickets for the opening match were going for around $250 a pop. It’s been a long time for baseball in the D.C. area, and the folks around here were apparently willing to pay handsomely to see it. It dominated the airwaves on my ride home from work, and it was all over the television when I got back home.

And for good reason. The Nats gave the people of D.C. and opening night to remember, as Livan Hernandez took a 1-hitter into the 9th inning and Vinny Castilla was a single away from hitting for the cycle, which would have been the second time in as many weeks that a National had done that, as Brad Wilkerson did it in the opening series last week.

Another thing is for sure. Washingtonians can make any even larger than life. They bring a mix of nostalgia and modern day hoopla to the major events that happen in the city that is unparralleled anywhere. Dubya resumed what used to be an annual tradition by throwing out the first pitch. Charlie Brotman, the 77-year-old public address announcer who called Senators games before they left for Texas, took his place back in front of the microphone, and proclaimed, “Baseball is back, and happy days are here again!” There was an F-16 flyover, there were fireworks, and there was a general excitement in the air that is usually reserved for Redskins games and political rallies.

I know the pull of the game has already gotten to me. I was able to swing tickets from a friend, and I’ll be in left field on Monday night, as the Nats take on the Florida Marlins. If you have a chance, make sure and watch for me, I’ll be standing next to the guy that’s holding a sign proclaiming, “You’ve Been Nationalized!”