Red Sox Nation from the Capital to the Capital
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 – A 30-foot Boston Red Sox banner has been draped across the front of the Rhino Bar since last week. The deluge of Manny, Johnny and Papi supporters has already begun. But the Rhino Bar is located in the nation’s capital, far away from the capital of Red Sox Nation.
“There are more New Yorkers in D.C. than I think New Englanders, but as for baseball fans, I think there are more diehard Red Sox fans than anything,” said David Nelson, owner of the Rhino Bar in the Georgetown neighborhood. “People are just insane.”
If Boston is the capital of Red Sox Nation consider Washington an embassy. The excitement brought here by New England transplants represents the widespread appeal the Red Sox have enjoyed since reversing the curse in 2004. Through Cape Cod natives, vacationers and politicians, the Red Sox pulse beats vibrantly in D.C.
Rhino and several other bars, easily discovered via Google, cater specifically to the D.C. Red Sox delegation. During the 2004 American League Championship Series, Nelson said he refused entrance to anyone not clearly supporting the Red Sox.
Last weekend when Boston traveled to Baltimore for a series against the Orioles, there was an overwhelming Red Sox presence.
“Every single time you go to a Boston Red Sox game [in Baltimore] there’s just as many Red Sox fans as Orioles fans,” said Nelson.
In Silver Spring, Md., just outside Washington, Julie Bartlett started a Red Sox meet-up group.
“It’s unbelievable just how many Red Sox fans are here,” said Bartlett. “The Baltimore/D.C. area is packed with them.”
Bartlett’s family used to vacation on Cape Cod and she herself on Nantucket. Bringing a truly New England tradition, like the Red Sox, to Washington helps many transplants connect with home.
“It is kind of like a microcosm of New England, of what you would expect if you went to a bar up by Fenway,” she said.
Tahani Rivers, an Orleans native, has a picture of the Red Sox World Series victory in her cubicle at the Environmental Protection Agency.
“I see more Boston Red Sox hats than any other hats from any other team,” Rivers said. She stays connected to her team mostly through her parents who still live on the Cape.
Despite the vibrant following, being far from Fenway is hard on some fans.
“It’s difficult because you maintain the same level of commitment but everyone kind of looks at you a little funnier,” said Tim Zajak, a New Bedford native and graduate student at the University of Virginia about two hours south of Washington. “It tests your passion.”
Mikaela Egan, a high school junior from Reston, Va., who used to live in Yarmouth, said last year she talked about the Red Sox with teachers from New England more than her local friends.
“A lot of people don’t understand,” she said. “I have a lot of people ask me if I’m a fan just because they won last year.”
But there are many who do understand. It is a common occurrence for a Red Sox t-shirt to induce a, “GO SOX!” cheer from a random businessman crossing the street.
On Capitol Hill, Rep. William Delahunt (D-Mass.) prepares for the playoff long haul, and a “vigorous repartee,” as he puts it, with his congressional colleagues from New York.
“All the New Yorkers, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats, are really obnoxious on their attitudes when it comes to the Red Sox,” said Delahunt, laughing. He has links to Boston sports teams on his congressional website.
When asked if he gives it back to the New York naysayers, Delahunt replied, “Oh, in spades.”
This weekend in Red Sox Nation-South, all eyes will be turned toward Boston as the New York Yankees roll into Fenway to end the regular season. The diehards at bars across the Washington region will be there for every pitch.
“It’s just chaos. You just kind of forget that you’re not outside of Fenway,” said Bartlett. “It’s just so much more exciting with people who are just as nuts.”
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