Sellout at RFK! (And some Rick Ankiel thoughts)

For the first time all season, after going to about 8 Nationals games, I finally went to a sellout at RFK Stadium!

Of course, it had nothing to do with the Nationals.

It had a little more to do with this guy.



I, avid soccer fan that I am (cough, cough), got to see David Beckam's first MLS Soccer game. He only played for a little over 20 minutes, but it's pretty cool to have been part of history. I feel pretty lucky to have seen a few historic sports events first hand... Ozzie Smith's left handed home run in the playoffs in 1985, Ron Dayne breaking the college rushing record, Roger Clemens' 300th win, the Nationals first home game in 2005.... now I have another to add to the list.

I have to say, the D.C. United fans put the Nationals fans to shame. There was so much more energy in that stadium than I'd ever seen at a baseball game.


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In other sports news, it's the moment I and many other Cardinals fans have been waiting for... the return of Rick Ankiel to the major league roster. The transformation from pitcher to outfielder is complete, and he even hit a home run his first night back!

I have this vision in my mind that I'll be telling my grandchildren the cautionary tale some day of a pitcher who had all the talent in the world but let his emotions get the best of him. Now, with a little luck, this story's going to have a happy ending.

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Unfortunately, Ankiel's return to the Cardinals roster comes at the expense of Scott Speizio, who is seeking treatment for substance abuse. The details, including what substance he has been abusing, are unknown, but I wish him the best and hope he wins whatever fight he's fighting. In a year in which the manager got a DUI and a pitcher died from another drunk driving accident, the team doesn't need to be taking substance abuse lightly, and I consider it an extremely positive sign that Speizio is voluntarily seeking treatment. I hope the red goatee returns to the roster soon.