DC Sports

Politics is nothing new to Washington, D.C., even in the arena marked off with base paths and outfield grass. The stadium for the expansion Washington Nationals baseball team cost over $600 million dollars and while opponents decried the waste of taxpayer money, supporters promised the stadium would generate economic development. Land swaps, closed-door deals, an owner’s selling the ballpark out from under their team in the District’s past and make game strategy look like child’s play. The stories behind the district’s past stadiums, tracks and Olympics facilities and the dream facilities that never happened are described against the city’s unique political backdrops. Features drawings, photographs and maps.