Call me a sucker, but I’ve bought right into interleague baseball. I’ve read BSR’s series preview to see which Orioles pitchers will be batting over the weekend, scouted the Nats thanks our interview with Federal Baseball and I am hoping that a rivalry between the Orioles and Nationals will brew in the coming years.
It’s difficult to start a rivalry between a team that hasn’t had a winning season in 12 years and a team that has only been in existence since 2005, but nonetheless as an Orioles fan I thoroughly enjoy the Battle of the Beltways.
I will say though, that I don’t have that hatred for the Washington Nationals that comes with most rivalries and I’m sorry to say that I don’t see it coming in the future. I have no problem disrespecting the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, those are typical division rivals. In football, I hate the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts outside of my desire to see the Steelers go 0-16.
But, at least for now, I have great respect for the Nationals organization. They’ve found themselves a good manager in Jim Riggleman, a great third baseman in Ryan Zimmerman, of course they drafted Stephen Strasburg who is what he is and with the acquisitions of Adam Dunn (who I wished the Orioles went after) and Ivan Rodriguez, this team is built to win sooner rather than later.
It’s not that I’m pulling for them to win, I guess as of now I’m indifferent. That doesn’t mean that I don’t hope the Orioles walk out of Washington with a broom in their hands, but I hesitate to use the word “rivalry” when talking about the Orioles and Nationals.
What do you think of the Battle of the Beltways?