Q&A: The Curly W
The Greeks said "know thyself", but what do Greeks know about winning, anyway? Knowing one's enemies, on the cusp of a three game series, makes more sense to us. We, therefore, asked Ben from The Curly W these pressing questions( posted below) about the Dbacks next opponent, his hometown Washington Nats.
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[Diamondhacks' responses to Curly W's queries about the Phoenix Phailures can be found here. A gratuitous shot at David Schwimmer is included at no addtl. charge.]
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1. Who has the best nickname on the team?
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There's several amusing ones: Nick Johnson is called Commander Riker for his 
resemblance to Number One from Star Trek: TNG. Jose Guillen was becoming 'Jose Jose Jose Jose' (to the tune of the futbol chant 'oley oley oley oley,'. before he got hurt and the Nats signed 20 outfielders. But the best is closer Chad Cordero, The Chief. He wears the brim on his hat as flat as a two-day old can of soda.
resemblance to Number One from Star Trek: TNG. Jose Guillen was becoming 'Jose Jose Jose Jose' (to the tune of the futbol chant 'oley oley oley oley,'. before he got hurt and the Nats signed 20 outfielders. But the best is closer Chad Cordero, The Chief. He wears the brim on his hat as flat as a two-day old can of soda.*
2. How do fans get to RFK? Car, Metro? How much $ to park? Traffic?
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Both. RFK is right on the Blue and Yellow Metro lines, and there are 10,000 parking spot scattered along the Anacostia River. So far, it's not been a hassle to get there whichever way you go. For me, I take Metro when I want to make a day of it, get a meal and a drink or three after the game.
I live in Alexandria, VA, right over the Potomac River, and I can get there up 295 in 15 minutes in decent traffic, so I usually drive. Traffic is never a problem, as RFK is located at the junction of Independence Ave, Constitution Ave, East
Capitol Street and Kenilworth Ave (aka DC-295). The parking lots at RFK are literally right off the main thoroughfares. It's $12 to park.
We can tailgate, no kegs and no charcoal, but no one said anything about a handle of Jim Beam. The new stadium, scheduled to open in 2008 but certainly will be late, will be in the same area, but in less of an advantageous location. I hope the city can work out access issues, because I not only love creaking old RFK, I love getting in and out of RFK.
Both. RFK is right on the Blue and Yellow Metro lines, and there are 10,000 parking spot scattered along the Anacostia River. So far, it's not been a hassle to get there whichever way you go. For me, I take Metro when I want to make a day of it, get a meal and a drink or three after the game.
I live in Alexandria, VA, right over the Potomac River, and I can get there up 295 in 15 minutes in decent traffic, so I usually drive. Traffic is never a problem, as RFK is located at the junction of Independence Ave, Constitution Ave, East
Capitol Street and Kenilworth Ave (aka DC-295). The parking lots at RFK are literally right off the main thoroughfares. It's $12 to park.We can tailgate, no kegs and no charcoal, but no one said anything about a handle of Jim Beam. The new stadium, scheduled to open in 2008 but certainly will be late, will be in the same area, but in less of an advantageous location. I hope the city can work out access issues, because I not only love creaking old RFK, I love getting in and out of RFK.
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3. Who's this franchise's #1 Hometown Hero?
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Interesting question. The Washington Post had an interesting (and front-page) article by the Nats beat writer on the quibble over baseball records. Is Gary Carter a legacy National, or is that history all done? Hard to find a better candidate than Gary Carter (I lived in Maine in the 70s, which was split between the Montreal and Boston baseball markets) on that list, but I don't think the Nationals Nation will claim him. I'd have to give it to Ryan Zimmerman, prodigy, UVA grad and longterm face of the franchise. The guy is slammin and the crowd goes wild when he's at bat.
Interesting question. The Washington Post had an interesting (and front-page) article by the Nats beat writer on the quibble over baseball records. Is Gary Carter a legacy National, or is that history all done? Hard to find a better candidate than Gary Carter (I lived in Maine in the 70s, which was split between the Montreal and Boston baseball markets) on that list, but I don't think the Nationals Nation will claim him. I'd have to give it to Ryan Zimmerman, prodigy, UVA grad and longterm face of the franchise. The guy is slammin and the crowd goes wild when he's at bat.
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4. How many black fans go to RFK?
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Lots, and as I've written, I think the franchise should have a strategy that includes all of DC. The DC area is nearly 65% black, and the mostly-black areas are generally of lower income. With the number of seats available in a complete season, baseball is the sport everyone should be able to see live, and anyone that thinks the Nationals can succeed longterm by catering to the whites on the other side of town (RFK and the new stadium are on the east side in what have been lower income neighborhoods bereft of much development) and in the affluent suburbs is wrong.
5. Is SP Billy Traber related to former Dbacks color man and accomplished
singer, Jim Traber?
Lots, and as I've written, I think the franchise should have a strategy that includes all of DC. The DC area is nearly 65% black, and the mostly-black areas are generally of lower income. With the number of seats available in a complete season, baseball is the sport everyone should be able to see live, and anyone that thinks the Nationals can succeed longterm by catering to the whites on the other side of town (RFK and the new stadium are on the east side in what have been lower income neighborhoods bereft of much development) and in the affluent suburbs is wrong.
5. Is SP Billy Traber related to former Dbacks color man and accomplished
singer, Jim Traber?*
I could not find anything to support that. Jim Traber has a Wikipedia entry that mentions a son, but he's not Billy, and lists no other relatives in baseball. I did find a YouTube from when he rushed the mound in Japan near the end of his playing career.
I could not find anything to support that. Jim Traber has a Wikipedia entry that mentions a son, but he's not Billy, and lists no other relatives in baseball. I did find a YouTube from when he rushed the mound in Japan near the end of his playing career.
"I did find a YouTube from when he rushed the mound in Japan near the end of his playing career."
These Japanese "rushes" are so prolonged and funny cuz the pitcher just runs away into the outfield. A classic.
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Jim Traber sang the national anthem at his Orioles debut game. He went to high school in Columbia, MD. I know someone who went to high school with him who was a classic nerd. Apparently, Jim used to pick on him, but whenever he did, my friend would go to Jim's parents who happened to be teachers at the same school.
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Brick,
Between his YouTube clip,aggressive booth demeanor, and now, your friend's high school revelation, Traber seems like a big, ugly bully.
But, Lord, could that man sing.
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Yeah, but it's always fun to see a man with a mullet fall on his face.
Hilarious!
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