Yesterday, per The Nationals, Mike Rizzo, president of baseball operations and general manager, issued the following statement:
“Per MLB’s protocol, all players and staff were tested for COVID-19 on Friday, July 3. Seventy-two hours later, we have yet to receive the results of those tests. We cannot have our players and staff work at risk. Therefore, we have cancelled our team workout scheduled for this morning. [Monday]
“We will not sacrifice the health and safety of our players, staff and their families. Without accurate and timely testing it is simply not safe for us to continue with Summer Camp. Major League Baseball needs to work quickly to resolve issues with their process and their lab. Otherwise, Summer Camp and the 2020 Season are at risk.”
Be that as it may the Nationals also report:
“The Washington Nationals – in conjunction with Major League Baseball – announced their 60-game 2020 schedule on Monday, along with a three-game exhibition slate. The 16th season of Nationals baseball will commence with an Opening Day matchup on ESPN against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park on Thursday, July 23rd at 7:08 p.m. ET. Read More
Photo by Erin
ADWeek broke the news:
“On Friday, three separate letters signed by 87 investment firms and shareholders worth a collective $620 billion asked Nike, FedEx and PepsiCo to terminate their business relationships with the NFL’s Washington Redskins unless the team agrees to change its controversial name.”
The Washington Post reports:
“FedEx on Thursday became the first major corporate backer of the Washington Redskins to call on the team to change its name, the most significant development yet amid mounting financial and political pressure on team owner Daniel Snyder in the long-running controversy.
Late Thursday evening, without making an immediate public statement, Nike appeared to remove all Redskins apparel for sale from its website.”
From Events DC:
“Today, Washington, DC announced its official bid to be a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the greatest global sporting events. With Mayor Muriel Bowser’s support and leadership, Events DC, the District of Columbia’s official convention and sports authority and members of the newly formed Washington, DC FIFA World Cup 2026 Advisory Board have officially launched DC’s bid to host World Cup matches. This virtual launch announcement unveils the vision and brand identity for the city’s pursuit to bring the FIFA World Cup to DC.
As a global city with deep roots in soccer history paired with world-class infrastructure and a proven ability to host high-profile, international events, Washington, DC is positioned to be an unmatched host city for the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup, for the first time spanning three nations: Mexico, Canada and U.S. Read More
Photo by Nathan Castellanos
Ed. Note: We first started following this development back in April 2014!
From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who has long sought long term-investment to maintain the three public golf courses in the District of Columbia, today celebrated the announcement that the National Park Service (NPS) will begin negotiations with National Links Trust (NLT) to operate the three historic golf courses here in the District.
NPS will negotiate a long-term lease for the East Potomac, Langston and Rock Creek golf courses to ensure an optimum recreational experience for golfers and capital improvements. Read More
Photo by Erin
From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today called on the owner of the National Football League’s (NFL) Washington team, Daniel Snyder, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the team’s racist name, an issue she has long pressed.
“I again call on Dan Snyder, the owner of the Washington football team and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to recognize this historic moment and change the offensive, racist name of the team,” Norton said. “The name has cost Snyder far more than it could possibly be worth. The racist name stands in the way of the team playing in the nation’s capital at the RFK Stadium site, Snyder’s preferred venue. My bill (H.R. 1883) would allow the District of Columbia to buy the RFK Stadium site, which is federally owned. However, the Congress has been clear it will not approve the bill to sell this site to the District as long as there is a chance the Washington football team, with its current name, would use the site. Read More
Thanks to spaxson for again sharing this great google doc of today’s Juneteenth events with us.
Photo by Denise Rucker Krepp
Also happening this morning – thanks to Denise for sharing with us around 8am: “George Preston Marshall statute at RFK is being taken down this morning. Truck just arrived to haul it away.” Read More
“Citi Open gets the green light to hold 2020 championships in DC the third week in August. (Citi Open Tennis)”
Burned out the Bundesliga? Baseball talks? You’re in luck!
From a press release:
“Three months after the pro tours suspended their seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ATP and tournament officials announced today that the professional tennis tour will return to the world stage with the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. from August 13-21.
The tournament is working closely with local officials on the health and safety plan in order to secure all the necessary permits and approvals for the event. The current plan is for the Citi Open to host this year’s tournament without fans in attendance, but officials remain optimistic that as the region continues its phased reopening, and conditions improve, they may be granted permission to allow limited fans onsite. Read More
And they are magnificent.
Ed. Note: You can own a limited edition ring for
for $15,000.
From the Nationals:
“The Washington Nationals and Jostens, the leading provider of custom, hand-crafted fine jewelry for professional sports teams, today unveiled the 2019 Washington Nationals World Series Championship Ring. Read More
Thanks to Dean for sending the awesomeness above from 16th Street, NW.
Please email your awesomeness to [email protected] and let me know where you found it.
Much more awesomeness: Read More
Photo by Pablo Raw
“Dear PoPville,
I’m a total newbie to roller skating (trying to keep my brain and body active), and just bought some quads this week. Are there any roller skaters in DC that have suggestions for socially-distant locations to practice? Obviously the rinks are closed, and I don’t want to risk tearing up any tennis courts, but am looking for a smoother surface + low traffic area as I expect to fall a lot.
Would prefer around SW, but can drive if necessary!”
