On This Date in 2006...

 
...the District of Columbia Council approved the lease for a new baseball stadium, assuring the former Expos of a modern, revenue-generating home. After three seasons in the outdated RFK Stadium -- and $600 million of taxpayers' money -- Nationals Park opened in 2008 as a first class showcase for the national pastime. Below, key years in Washington baseball history are displayed on the entrance walk (with eye-high plaques containing the complete stories to the right).
Along with club that's been one of the game's best this decade -- well, at least during the regular season -- a signature of National Park is the President's Race.
The season's records for the George, Tom, Abe and Teddy characters are displayed. Last July 27th, turned out to be Washington's day.
A look at the grandstand from the concourse beyond the outfield. Nationals Park sports perhaps the highest press box and broadcast booths (the red structure) anywhere in baseball.
(These images are from a 2010 visit to Washington,)

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