BallparkJB: Orioles – Nats Park may be newer, but not as cozy as OPACY. If you go to an O’s game in Baltimore, it feels more like a real MLB game … not so at Nats Park.
CC: Orioles – Nats Park is nice, but the Camden Warehouse in right field makes for a very aesthetically pleasing and distinctive facet of a ballpark.
JF: Orioles – Camden Yards pioneered the retro look for countless stadiums across the country with its right-field warehouse, Baltimore skyline and jumbotron clock with “The Sun” banner.
NF: Orioles – Even after more than 20 years, Camden remains a top park in all of baseball. It’s four years older than Turner Field, a bottom five park that will be abandoned in a couple years. Nationals Park is easily accessible and fan friendly, with wide concourses and good sightlines. But it’s got all the character of Crystal City.
GW: Orioles – There aren’t many places that top Camden Yards. It’s still in my top five and probably always will be. I think Nats Park missed the opportunity to do something great with park. If someone asks me what jumps out about Nats Park, I don’t have an answer. That’s not a good sign.
Verdict: Orioles win 5-0
Overall: Orioles lead 1-0
(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
AP Photo/Gail Burton
Franchise TraditionJB: Orioles – Baltimore has been around a little longer of course, so it wins this one. But Washington is steeped in baseball tradition and more of that past needs to be brought up.
CC: Orioles – This goes to the O’s by default as they’ve existed much longer (not counting the Expos years).
JF: Orioles – My grandmother sat on Walter Johnson’s lap as a kid, so I’m well aware of the Washington Senators’ history. But between the Senators and the Expos, the Nats have a bit of an identity crisis – an identity they’re still creating from scratch in many ways. The Orioles have stayed put in Baltimore since 1954, raising generations of black-and-orange diehards idolizing Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer, Earl Weaver, Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken Jr. If you want to talk success, the O’s have won three World Series titles (1966, 1970, 1983) compared to just one in Washington (1924). When it comes to franchise tradition, this one is a no-brainer.
NF: Orioles – The Nats have had a couple chances recently, but until they bring a pennant (and possibly a ring) to D.C., they’re fighting against decades of history.
GW: Orioles – It’s been a fun 10 years in D.C. for sure, but when you look at tradition I think the Orioles take this category as well, between the World Series, the Hall of Famers, etc.
Verdict: Orioles win 5-0
Overall: Orioles lead 2-0
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Current SuperstarsJB: Nationals – The Nats have a few, and the O’s do as well. The All-Star Game may have more O’s on the team, but the Nats get the edge due to Harper and Rendon (when healthy), etc. Baltimore has Jones, Machado and well … a few others. They’re more of a balanced team.
CC: Draw – There are four “superstars” I would consider out of both teams: Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Adam Jones and Manny Machado. Harper takes the #1 spot and Scherzer #4, with both O’s in the middle. So I’ll safely say they both teams have a very strong pair they can market.
JF: Nationals – As much as I love Manny Machado, Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy, in the interest of not sounding like a homer, I’ll admit that Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg are bigger national names.
NF: Nationals – Manny Machado is a poor man’s Bryce Harper, and Baltimore doesn’t have anyone to compete with Max Scherzer.
GW: Nationals – The Nats lineup is loaded. They have perhaps the best player in the game right now in Bryce Harper. The Orioles have their share of players as well, but the Nats take this one.
Verdict: Nationals win 4-0-1
Overall: Orioles lead 2-1
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
ManagersJB: Orioles – Buck has been a manager longer. I would have liked to see Williams get more experience before joining the Nats, but that was Rizzo’s call.
CC: Orioles – Buck Showalter can be stubborn at times, but his experience and his ability to rescue seemingly lost franchises gives him a slight edge over a “young” manager in Williams who is great as well.
JF: Orioles – With all due respect to Matt Williams, Buck Showalter is one of the most respected skippers in the game. Not only did he build the New York Yankees (1992-95), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2000) and Texas Rangers (2003-06) into World Series powerhouses, he just last year lead the Orioles to their first AL East title since 1997. Showalter is a god in Baltimore, where fans live by the motto: “In Buck We Trust.”
NF: Orioles – If Davey was still around, this would be tough. But Buck’s done way more with less talent.
GW: Orioles – Buck Showalter is a proven manager. He has turned this ballclub around after 14 losing seasons. Matt Williams could get there, but not yet. If this were still Davey Johnson’s club, then he would get the nod.
Verdict: Orioles win 5-0
Overall: Orioles lead 3-1
(AP Photo/Michael Perez)
AP Photo/Michael Perez
UniformsJB: Orioles – The O’s have that look … it’s hard to explain. The Nats have too many options.
CC: Orioles – This is subjective but the Orange Oriole bird is beautiful, the Nats colors are patriotic but just not as distinctive.
JF: Orioles – The red, white and blue color scheme is a nice touch for the nation’s capital, but the cartoon Oriole bird is a much cooler logo than the Curly “W.” What are you, Walgreens?
NF: Nationals – The patriotic blues put Washington over the top. If you disagree, you probably hate America.
GW: Nationals – I like the Orioles old school uniforms with the bird and the road uniforms that say Baltimore, but going with the Nats on this one. I like the Curly “W” on the home uniforms and Washington on the road. The patriotic uniforms are a winner as well.
Verdict: Orioles win 3-2
Overall: Orioles lead 4-1
(AP Photo/Matt Marton)
AP Photo/Matt Marton
MascotsJB: Orioles – The Bird is better than the Eagle, but the ORIGINAL Racing Presidents are close.
CC: Nationals – I’m counting the Presidents who run around and race as the Nats mascot(s), which blow away most if not all other mascots in baseball.
JF: Nationals – The Oriole Bird is way cooler than Screech, but I’ll give the edge to the Nats for the racing presidents. Only in D.C. could this gimmick work – unless they someday put a team near Mount Rushmore. One gripe: the Nats should have never let Teddy win. The “lovable loser” angle was the fun of it.
NF: Nationals – The Oriole Bird may have some cache, but even with a roster of Racing Presidents now bloated enough to play a game of three-on-three, Teddy and the gang take this one.
GW: Nationals – If we are including the racing Presidents, I’m going with the Nats. If it’s the Oriole Bird vs. Screech, Baltimore gets the vote.
Verdict: Nationals win 4-1
Overall: Orioles lead 4-2
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
NeighborhoodJB: Nationals – Tough choice, but I’ll take Nats Park as it’s improving, where B-More is not … and a casino doesn’t quite help.
CC: Orioles – The area around Nats park is developing and the bars/bullpen area is cool, but with Pickles right outside Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor/Federal Hill a short walk away, Baltimore’s neighborhood is better for the fans.
JF: Orioles – The Washington Navy Yard could one day become the better neighborhood, but it’s hard to top the Inner Harbor for a game-day experience.
NF: Nationals – I love Fell’s Point, but that’s a full neighborhood over from the overrated Inner Harbor, nearly as far as the distance from Nats Park to Chinatown. The quickly developing Navy Yard has more promise closer to the ballpark for pre- and post-game options.
GW: Nationals – This is tough too, as there are not many good places at Camden Yards other than a couple local bars right outside and the Inner Harbor. Nats Park area is up and coming with already a few options for food and drink with a lot more to come.
Verdict: Nationals win 3-2
Overall: Orioles lead 4-3
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Ballpark FoodJB: Nationals – I don’t eat ballpark food, so it’s hard to comment, but I know the selection is better at Nats Park. Of course, the O’s press box food is much better.
CC: Orioles – Boog’s BBQ sandwiches are amazing at Camden Yards, plus now they have a Gino’s concession stand which has some of the best burgers in Maryland. Plus when you’re in Maryland you’ll have a lot of crab-related food items which is always awesome.
JF: Orioles – You can definitely get some great food at Nats Park, including D.C. staples like Ben’s Chili Bowl. Me? I’ll take Boog’s BBQ and Dempsey’s crab cakes any day.
NF: Nationals – Nats Park has better variety, while Camden Yards is more authentic to Baltimore, between the crab mac & cheese dog and Boog’s BBQ. If it comes down to which singular food item I’d prefer the most any given day, the double shackburger (and a black-and-white shake) from Shake Shack tips my vote to D.C.
GW: Orioles – This is very close, but Boog’s BBQ might put Camden Yards over the top on this one. The Nats have a good amount of options, but no Boog’s.
Verdict: Orioles win 3-2
Overall: Orioles lead 5-3
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
BeerJB: Nationals – I don’t drink anymore, but Nats Park offers a whole lot more of a selection.
CC: Orioles – Natty Boh’s on tap? A Baltimore staple that’s cheaper than your standard domestic beer. Sign me up!
JF: Nationals – Baltimore has the one-eyed squint of Natty Boh, but let’s give D.C. the edge for its array of craft breweries. Plus, after the game, you can hop down to Bluejacket.
NF: Nationals – Baltimore’s got the Natty Boh tradition, as well as Brewer’s Art and Union Craft, but can’t claim Flying Dog as their own. Meanwhile, Nats Park pours DC Brau, Port City, 3 Star, Atlas and Mad Fox, all local breweries. D.C. wins this one.
GW: Nationals – Nats Park has a great variety of beer, it wins.
Verdict: Nationals win 4-1
Overall: Orioles lead 5-4
(Getty Images/Rob Carr)
Getty Images/Rob Carr
FansJB: Orioles — O’s fans have been around longer, but more and more I see fans of other teams — including the O’s — switching to the Nats — or calling the Nats their new team. It makes me sick — pick one team. Stick with them, win or lose. That’s a fan. But there’s a lot of bandwagoners for the Nats, too. D.C. is an event town …
CC: Orioles — I think this has a lot to do with the O’s being in the area longer than the Nationals, but when I think of a great baseball crowd I picture the crowd singing along to Seven Nation Army after Manny Machado hits a home run.
JF: Orioles — I’m admittedly biased, but Baltimore baseball fans get my vote. Many are blue-collar lifers, while D.C. baseball fans boast too many white-collar transplants. I was at Game 2 of the ALDS last year when Delmon Young hit that go-ahead 3 RBI double — and Camden Yards was deafening. I’ll dare say it was louder than Nats Park during Jayson Werth’s walk-off homer in the playoffs (Ed. Note: please direct all hate mail to jfraley@wtop.com). There’s nothing like dancing to John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” during the seventh inning stretch or chanting “Oooooo, oooooo, oooo” to the tune of “Seven Nation Army.” Sorry, Nats fans. You can keep your “bang zoom.” I’ll be busy with my “rockets red glare” shouting “O” during the National Anthem. No, this isn’t disrespectful, the star-spangled song was written in Baltimore.
NF: Nationals — While I agree that O’s fans are louder, the daily desecration of the National Anthem wipes out any street cred they may have built up. And as an A’s fan, I appreciate the Nats’ fan edge in sabermetric thinking and advanced statistical analysis. Smart baseball > loud baseball over the long haul.
GW: Nationals — The yelling of “O” during the National Anthem automatically disqualifies O’s fans from this category. It’s awful and I can’t stand it. Nats fans have been given a tough time because a lot of them seem like they are still learning how to act at a game with baseball still fairly new, but things have gotten a lot better at the ballpark the last couple years. Winning does that too.
Verdict: Orioles win 3-2
Overall: Orioles win 6-4
(Getty Images/Greg Fiume)
WASHINGTON — The Nationals and Orioles head to Baltimore this weekend to square off in a three-game set. That got us thinking — in the spirit of The Battle of the Beltways, which beltway city is a better baseball town?
Each year that the Nationals become further entrenched in the Washington sports landscape — and each year that they square off against the Orioles in Interleague Play — the Battle of the Beltways grows as a rivalry. It helps, of course, that each team has made the postseason twice in the past three years, adding weight to the games themselves. Since 2012, the Nats (326) have won more games than any NL team but the Cardinals (330), while the Orioles (317) share top win total in the American League over the same time with the Athletics.
But there’s more to a baseball town than winning and losing. To determine that requires an analysis of the teams, the ballparks, the history, and other aspects intrinsic to the ballpark experience. We’ve broken those down into 10 categories, and enlisted five staffers with plenty of experience watching each team play in their home venues.
J. Brooks, sports reporter
Chris Cichon, operations
Jason Fraley, digital entertainment editor
Noah Frank, digital sports editor
George Wallace, sports reporter
So without any further ado, let’s dive in and do this. Flip through the slides to see where we come out on each category, and leave your own thoughts in the comments.
