Stephen Strasburg's Major League Debut: June 8, 2010 at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

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Happy Single's Awareness Day

I spent my Saturday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. It was awesome. Why? It was covered in snow and I got to walk on the field. This is the third ball park field whose hollowed ground I've graced with my presence.

The snow crunched from beneath my boots and I savored the moment for what it was -- yet another pristine, once-in-a-lifetime, baseball moment in the Nation's Capital.

Today is Valentine's Day. There are a lot of different variants on this "holiday". They all depend on the eye of beholder (as do most cases involving love). I could choose the self-depcricating route but what's the point? That's no fun!

So, in light of taking the positive stance on a day about couples while being single, this is what I have to say:

If you're single go out and do something you want to do. Or even better, DON'T go out and do something you want to do. The couch and a movie option is just as good as anything else you'd choose to do outside. Good cup of hot cocoa makes it even better.

If you're coupled off enjoy it. It's as simple as that.

I myself already watched the best scenes from Titanic on DVD, caught a viewing of The Truman Show, and am now enjoying The Family Stone. All good things.

Who knows -- perhaps there is some wine and chocolate in my future!

Nats Fans Are People Too

No matter how much change occurs in my life or around me at any given moment, there's one thing that will never cease to exist -- the fact that I am a Cubs fan.

The Chicago Cubs have been there for me since the day I was born (maybe not directly, but my dad was a Cubs fan so I'm going to go ahead and make that claim that "the Cubs" run through my veins ... Creepy? Maybe. True in the metaphorical sense? You betcha.)

It is because of my love for baseball's most beloved losing franchise that I posses nothing but the utmost respect for each and every baseball organization (the exception being the White Sox -- I just can't like them, sorry...) and the game itself. I've walked the warning track at Fenway, watched boats in lake Michigan from the Wrigley Field press box, sat in the grand stand at the original Yankee Stadium, welcomed the Washington Nationals into their inaugural season at RFK stadium, looked on as the Cubs cultivate new talent at Hohokam Park during Spring Training, witnessed Randy Johnson's 300th win at Nationals Park, caught a game in the Twins last season at the Metrodome, and sat first row behind home plate at Wrigley Field for Kerry Wood's first relief appearance, but today I did something entirely new -- interviewed a Major League Baseball player who plays for a losing team in one of the most expensive ball parks in the country at the team's fan fest...during the off-season...within the confines of a snow covered ball park.

If that's not living the dream, I don't know what is.

There's nothing I love more than a day full of baseball. In fact, when asked my favorite season, I never respond with Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall. To do so would be a lie! What's my favorite season? BASEBALL SEASON! Makes sense, doesn't it?

NatsFest 2010 is the closest I've ever been to any big leaguer (the exceptions being the time I met Ryne Sandberg in Nike Town on Michigan Avenue while he was shopping with his wife and when I was six and met Ernie Banks in my mother's office building). Most of the players attending the event were the new guys, which makes sense for obvious reasons.

The line to get an autograph from Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez was insane! I did have the opportunity to be first in line to meet the future Hall of Famer (which now I wish I had done but you win some, you lose some) but I opted to be second in line to meet ex-Cubs Jason Marquis and the Nats new manager, Jim Riggleman.

There were two highlights of the day, the first being Nationals Park covered in snow. Yes. That's right. Snow. In DC. And a few hundred people getting a special treat as they file into Nationals Park. The snow came on Saturday, allowing for Sunday to be a sunny (but still FREEZING) baseball filled day.

What made this baseball winter wonderland even better is that there was no NHL Winter Classic to disturb this pristine, once in a life time, baseball moment.

Well, ... that and the fact that this here journalist (yes, I'm talking about myself for the moment) had her FIRST interview with a Major League Baseball player. RHP Craig Stamman was the victim. What did he have to say? You'll have to check it out at We Love DC.

All in all, I think Sunday was a solid day of Nationals Baseball lovin' ... especially from this die-hard Cub fan.

I did learn something today though. It's not easy playing for a team who is known for their ability to lose games on a regular basis. But -- no matter what team you're playing for -- it's nice to know that there will always be those fans who stand for over 30 minutes in the freezing cold on the side of town just to see their sports hero's in person ... even if it's just for a few seconds. I mean hell ... I'm used to the Cubs losing, so I guess that means Nats Fans really are people too. I mean, I do understand what it feels like to have your team lose a lot. We both believe that NEXT year is here.

Too bad only one of us can go to the World Series. We'll just have to wait and see what happens come October.

R.H. Levitin Presents ... A Preview of the 2009 Major League Baseball Season

Spring starts soon and that means just one thing -- baseball season is almost here!

We're now in the transitional period between the cold of Winter and heat of Summer with the longest Spring Training session in Major League Baseball History underway.

There's more to the game than chilled beer, peanuts, power-hitters, and pitchers. Here's a few treats to look forward to during the 2009 season, courtesy of this blog's resident baseball fanatic and publisher, R.H. Levitin ...

1. The Red Sox are coming to D.C. for inter-league play. This will be the best match-up since Cubs-Red Sox at Wrigley Field in 2005 when Greg Maddux knocked a homer into the cages below the bleachers in left-center field helping the Cubs solidify a giant lead and eventual win. Why? Red Sox fans will at least bring their rowdy A-Game, illuminating Nationals Park with obscenities, sing-a-longs, and the energy that should be present at any and every baseball game played. Maybe Nationals fans will take a few pointers on how to cheer on their home team. It couldn't hurt.
2. The Cubs have a chance to end their post-season drought and notch a few tallies in the old "Win" column. There might even be a division title waiting for them but -- after two consecutive clinches, a third one might anger fans more ... that is unless they end that post-season drought.
3. The Yankees will continue to spin star-player A-Rod a web of positive publicity after confirmation surfaced of his drug use during his time with the Rangers.
4. The Dodgers may or may not have Manny in the line-up (we'll know tomorrow), it all depends on the slugger's inflated ego either taking a break and taking the field and, of course, money.
5. The Phillies are the reigning champions of baseball? Am I still the only person confused by this? We'll see how they fair with those rings on their hands -- continued greatness is expected by the Phillie "PHaith"ful but prominence may not be what 2009 has in store for the team.
6. Ken Griffey, Jr. is back where he started. For all of us who remember the final scenes of 1994's Little Big League, the image of a cocky young player by the name of Junior is etched into our minds. The 39-year-old veteran re-signed with the Mariners earlier this month. Welcome back, Junior. It'll be nice to see you play in the uniform that made you a name in this game again.
   

A lot can and will happen until October rears its pretty little head. At least we get to watch the ups and downs of America's greatest past-time while we're at it.

Photo Compliments of R.H. Levitin's personal photo collection. Photo by Darienne Myers, August 2008.