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Bring Back the Grays
By Chris Mottram | August 4, 2007
Let’s just clear one thing up that I think we can all agree on: The name “Nationals” completely sucks. You know what was a good name? Senators. You know what was even better? Grays. And last night’s game showed what once was and could be again.
When the team relocated here three years ago, the name “Grays” was in the running. The Negro League team played in Pittsburgh, but just like anyone from Pitt, they realized how much better D.C. is and called the city their second home. They often played games in the old Griffith Stadium, where Josh Gibson probably hit balls twice as far as Harmon Killebrew ever did.
Now that you have an unnecessary history lesson, let me get back to my point: We must change that shit team name. And I’m not the only one who feels this way. There is one of those online petitions circulating (I know, they hold tons of clout), and some fans have taken to hanging a massive sign in the upper deck at RFK insisting on the Grays name change. But of course, no one seemed to ask the Nats players how they felt about wearing the uniform or a possible name change, so I’ll just assume that they’d all be down for it.
With the team moving to a new stadium next season (which will feature a statue of Gibson), it would be the perfect time to change the name, uniform, etc. and we could all pretend like the last three years in RFK never happened. Except for last night. That was a good night.
3 Responses to “Bring Back the Grays”
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August 4th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I agree, and even said so back in ‘04 (link). It should be DC — and not Washington — Grays, though, right?
August 4th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
//Let’s just clear one thing up that I think we can all agree on: The name “Nationals” completely sucks. //
I disagree. While the name Grays is OK, and honors our Negro League heritage, i think the Nationals is as good a name as any for a team playing in DC. You can’t just go around changing team names simply because a few people don’t like it. In the two years the Nats have been in DC, i’ve heard the fans (including myself) complain about an awful lot. RFK, Screech, spending, etc. But the name “Nationals” isn’t something i hear people complaining about. I think the majority of fans like the Nationals (or ‘The Nats’) nickname-speaking as a season ticket holder. There is one thing that needs to be changed though for next year-the uniforms.
August 4th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
I’ve actually had conversations with National’s ownership about the “Grays” name. Would be cool, would be a salute to the Negro leagues and their players, and as if there needed to be some extra incentive - there would be a brazillion dollars worth of merch sold! (note to Gil - the “brazillion” joke is one I stole from someone else). No one is complaining about the name “Nationals” - they were too busy worrying about whether wearing a red hat made them a democrat (or republican - don’t remember which, the comedy channel had different colors).