PHOTOS: World Series excitement hits home for DC

In the neighborhoods that surround Nationals Park, there’s growing excitement over the prospect of a World Series championship for hometown heroes the Nationals.

At the King Greenleaf Recreation Center just blocks from the ballpark, D.C. native Kenny, who goes by “Chicken Bob,” said he’s enjoying the excitement. And he’s not a bandwagon fan — he showed off his Nationals tattoo: a big curly “W” with the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol in the background spreads across his chest.

“I used to attend the games before the stadium was here — I attended the games at the old RFK stadium.” He said he got the tattoo in 2011. “I just got the tattoo just because I love my city so much. I just had to.”

He said he’s considering adding tattoos of other D.C. teams — except for one. “I hate the Redskins,” he said. “They don’t play in D.C.! They don’t play in my city.”

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Kenny, or “Chicken Bob” is a lifelong D.C. resident who’s followed the Nationals since they came to D.C. He said he might consider adding some other team tattoos — but not the Redskins. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

<p>Around the corner from the rec center, 15-year-old Davis Johnson and his dad explained they flew in from Rhode Island to catch the games. How did a teenager from Rhode Island become a die-hard Nats fan?</p>

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Here’s the close-up that proves the Nationals are close to Chicken Bob’s heart. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Around the corner from the rec center, 15-year-old Davis Johnson and his dad explained they flew in from Rhode Island to catch the games. How did a teenager from Rhode Island become a die-hard Nats fan?

<p>“I originally started watching them because of Bryce Harper — I just liked the way he played — I liked how he always played hard,” Johnson said. And after Harper left the Nationals, Johnson said he stuck with his team. “I’ve been watching them for so long.”</p>
<p>Like other fans, he was disappointed the Nats<a href="https://wtop.com/washington-nationals/2019/10/altuve-astros-show-up-in-world-series-win-game-3-in-dc-4-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> didn’t take Game 3.</a></p>
<p>“They’ve just got to have approaches at the plate, I guess. They’ve just got to have a better idea of what they want to do.” He’s got his fingers crossed for a World Series championship for his adopted team.</p>
<p>Just across from the ballpark, there’s a liquor store on the corner, an old style shop plastered with ads on specials and neon signs. Jackie Lam runs the shop, and business is booming with the World Series. He was too busy to talk, but posed for a second in his red Nationals shirt.</p>

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Davis Johnson, 15, and his dad flew in from Rhode Island for the World Series. He’s hoping they can get the win tonight. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

“I originally started watching them because of Bryce Harper — I just liked the way he played — I liked how he always played hard,” Johnson said. And after Harper left the Nationals, Johnson said he stuck with his team. “I’ve been watching them for so long.”

Like other fans, he was disappointed the Nats didn’t take Game 3.

“They’ve just got to have approaches at the plate, I guess. They’ve just got to have a better idea of what they want to do.” He’s got his fingers crossed for a World Series championship for his adopted team.

Just across from the ballpark, there’s a liquor store on the corner, an old style shop plastered with ads on specials and neon signs. Jackie Lam runs the shop, and business is booming with the World Series. He was too busy to talk, but posed for a second in his red Nationals shirt.

<p>Outside the store, Tracey Adams, a D.C. native, is on her way to work at the concessions at Nationals Park. She beamed when the team is mentioned.</p>
<p>“I’m over the top!” She said. “I’m so happy just to make it where we made it is a blessing. If we win it all, I will be so excited!”</p>

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Jackie Lam, who operates the Cap Liquor store just across from the ballpark says business has been booming, and he’s happy to cheer the team on. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Outside the store, Tracey Adams, a D.C. native, is on her way to work at the concessions at Nationals Park. She beamed when the team is mentioned.

“I’m over the top!” She said. “I’m so happy just to make it where we made it is a blessing. If we win it all, I will be so excited!”

<p>She won’t be alone in her excitement.</p>

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Tracey Adams, who works at the concessions at Nats Park said, “I’m over the top,” at the thought of a World Series victory. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

She won’t be alone in her excitement.

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D.C. resident Travis Haney shows off his Nationals tattoo. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

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This button belongs to another man who didn’t want to talk — he just wanted his button to do the talking for him. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

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Corey Jenifer, a Malcolm X Elementary School parent, brought three of his own children and 14 other members of the school’s marching band, down to Nats Park to soak up the atmosphere. They’re also doing a little fundraising to help buy new equipment for the kids. They cheered, “Go Nats, go!” (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Kate Ryan

As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.