Should we root for the Nationals?

[Gurgi]

Not over the Orioles of course but root for them to do real good. So that the viewership of Masn goes up and the Orioles get more money?

Can you root for the Nats for this reason?

[Frobby]

I see no reason to root against the Nats. I live in the DC area, and I root for them, but I have no passion for them.

[NewMarketSean]

I see no reason to root against the Nats. I live in the DC area, and I root for them, but I have no passion for them.

Sounds like most of the DC area.

[Orioles West]

I can't bring myself to do it. I didn't initially care one way or another, but I've read some fairly crazy vitriol from Nats fans against the Birds on a number of message boards beyond the OH.

I realize every fan base has nut jobs, I may be one for the O's, yet I don't understand how an area that would generally support Baltimore for a few decades would turn on the same place so quick.

I'm not a PA cheerleader by any stretch, although I absolutely understand his concerns about having another team in his back yard. I saw the articles about Oriole merchandise stores closing in and around DC and people writing to ESPN.com about how happy they were to see them disappear.

Weird rivalry to me, but based on what I've seen and read so far, I'm not a big fan of Nats fans.

-Don

[MikeAD]

I see no reason to root against the Nats. I live in the DC area, and I root for them, but I have no passion for them.

I agree, I don't cheer for them in the way that I cheer for the Caps, but I will go to a couple of Nats game every year, and when I go I don't hope to see them play poorly.

Neither poll option really works for me.

[byrdz]

For the most part I'm indifferent about the Nats so I'd root for them in any other situation other than playing the O's. I do hate when they beat the O's.

[Migrant Redbird]

For the most part I'm indifferent about the Nats ....

As am I. I'll root for them if they're playing the Pond Scum (Mets), Phillies, Cubs, or Yankees and against them if they're playing the Cards, while mostly ignoring them the rest of the time.

[RShack]

If you look at it from 10,000 feet, the BAL-DC area is lucky to have a team from each league.

It would be best for baseball fans in the area if both teams were good.

I reluctantly voted "yes", but I didn't want to, simply due to the pejorative way the options were worded.

That's a good way to get very skewed poll results.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I'll probably be glad to root for them within ten years, once they are the Las Vegas Aces.

[Hooded Viper]

I was brought up hating all sports teams Washington and I stick by that philosophy!

[Orioles West]

I'll probably be glad to root for them within ten years, once they are the Las Vegas Aces.

You said it better than me.

-Don

[Big Mac]

I root for the Nats and hope they do well. I am not a fan of them by any means, but I have nothing against them.

I'll probably watch some of Jordan Zimmerman's starts this season.

[wickedwitch]

Where's the "they're my second favorite team" option?

I can't bring myself to do it. I didn't initially care one way or another, but I've read some fairly crazy vitriol from Nats fans against the Birds on a number of message boards beyond the OH.

I realize every fan base has nut jobs, I may be one for the O's, yet I don't understand how an area that would generally support Baltimore for a few decades would turn on the same place so quick.

I'm not a PA cheerleader by any stretch, although I absolutely understand his concerns about having another team in his back yard. I saw the articles about Oriole merchandise stores closing in and around DC and people writing to ESPN.com about how happy they were to see them disappear.

Weird rivalry to me, but based on what I've seen and read so far, I'm not a big fan of Nats fans.

-Don

PA really pissed off DC residents. If he sold the team, I think Washingtonians' opinions on the Orioles would become more positive.

[Boy Howdy]

I was born & raised in Baltimore, but also lived in and around DC.

I love the Orioles and like the Nats. I root for them both, but it's Orioles all the way when they meet head-to-head.

An O's/Nats World Series one of these years would be very nice indeed

[Mad Mark]

An O's/Nats World Series one of these years would be very nice indeed

As long as you're not a Fox executive! :rofl:

I'm indifferent to the Nats, generally, but some of their fans really rub me the wrong way as far as their attitude towards the Orioles is concerned. Angelos did his usual ham-fisted worst at selling his opposition to a team carving off the richer part of his market, but his arguments were absolutely correct regarding the damage placing a team in Washington would do to the Orioles.

coming!

The revenue problem would be far less severe if MLB had a rational "all for one and one for all" revenue distribution system, however.