By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com

The efforts of Mayor Anthony A. Williams were central to bringing the Nationals to D.C. (Evan Vucci/AP)

The mayor sat down with MLB.com to talk about baseball in Washington.

MLB.com: What are your thoughts on how baseball coming to D.C. will impact the community?

Williams: I think one thing that we lose in all of the economic debate and accounting and all the numbers flying back and forth is what baseball means to a community and a city, in terms of its psychology and its morale. I can tell you as mayor of this city, the mood of the city, the hum of the city, the pace of the city changes based on how our teams are doing.

I was saying yesterday when we named the team, that growing up I remember going into the dentist's office and the baseball game was on. You go to the auto mechanic with your dad, and they had the baseball game on. I remember actually waiting outside the principal's office to get punished, and I had to wait till the inning was over, because she was listening to the Championship Series where the Dodgers were playing. That's how important baseball is toward a general rhythm of life. If we're going to be a great city, then we need to have baseball. If we're going to be the nation's capital, we ought to have baseball.

MLB.com: Who were you a big fan of in baseball while growing up?

Williams: I grew up in L.A., so my dad was a Dodger fan because of Jackie Robinson ... I remember the Dodgers' move to L.A., and all African-American men were National League fans and big fans of the Dodgers, but I actually grew up liking the Cardinals. I was a big fan of Bob Gibson. Bob Gibson was an incredible pitcher. Stamina. Endurance. Determination. Command of the plate with power and precision. Am I right? Sandy Koufax, those pitchers in the '60's. Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, those were some incredible pitchers.

MLB.com: What's your vision for what baseball's going to become in Washington? What do you see?

Williams: You can't really quantify, it's hard to describe just a qualitative impact it will have on the city, almost like an impression. But I also think it's going to be good for the city, economically. I think we're going to see construction jobs, you're going to see operating jobs. Because what you're talking about here in our city is moving a major corporation in with the city. Then, I think we're going to see, in addition to that economic development, you're going to see community benefit.

We have planned a historic community benefits package out of this, where the tax dollars that are generated by the development around the stadium over time will generate $400 million that will go into schools and libraries and rec centers, which can complement what baseball, the owners will be doing. I'd like to rebuild a tennis and learning center in the city. I want to work with the Sports Commission and work with the new owner and baseball to build a baseball and learning center.

MLB.com: You really seem to have a passion for baseball. Is that your favorite sport?

Williams: Baseball's a great game. I'll be a Nationals fan. I'm now, officially, a Nationals fan. I'll be able to see the Cardinals come here.

MLB.com: Heading into the council vote on Nov. 30, are you still confident that you have the votes to get the stadium financing bill through?

Complete Coverage • D.C.'s team to be the Nationals • Bauman: Something to hold on to • Former Senator glad MLB is back • Name not new to Washington D.C. • Q & A with GM Jim Bowden • Nationals following strategic plan • The Nationals, position by position • Nationals release 2005 schedule • A look at the Nationals' farm system • Official site of the Nationals Sights & Sounds Fox 5 TV coverage: 56K | 350K Bowden rallies the fans Mayor Williams on baseball MLB.com's Mark Newman explains the history of the Nationals Press conference Washington Greats | First Pitches 2005 Schedule | Tickets | Register Check out the Nationals Shop >

Williams: Yes, I do believe that we have the votes. I think history will judge that [Councilmember] Jack Evans played a huge role in this, in the consults. I'm not sure whether I'm going to remain politically active; I know that he's going to remain politically active through this term, and he's taken on some damage.

But I think he's showing real leadership, same with [Councilmember] Harold Brazil. Jack is actually one of the best politicians in Washington, D.C., and I'm including the Congress. He's a good tactician. He knows his business, and he knows how to get things done. I've been on the other side of him, and it's not pleasant sometimes. He knows how to work the politics, and I admire him for it.

MLB.com: What do you see on Opening Day? What's it going to be like?

Williams: It's just going to be an incredible feeling. First of all, for everybody to be back for a major event at RFK [Stadium]... but then to have a team there. I would hope the president would be there. It would just be an incredible, positive day in the city.

MLB.com: When people look back on your administration, is this going to be one of the things that people might say would be your biggest victory?

Williams: I would think so. I think over time, right now, people are saying it's my Waterloo, and this and that. But I think over time people will say, "Yeah, the mayor did a lot of good things in the city, and this was one signal achievement."

MLB.com: And one that's also been your toughest battle?

Williams: Probably. This is up there in the top tier. If not the toughest, certainly one of the top three, no question about it. I knew we were going to get some heat, because this is the rich bracket. This is where we are right now [in the world of sports]. I would have liked it differently. But at certain points, in order to get something in, you've got to make a decision. And I'm glad we did it. I'm glad the city was in a position to do it.

MLB.com: After everything starts in April, will you be happy with what you see?

Williams: I will be happy with what I see because baseball is ultimately about dreams. If little kids can come to the stadium and they can dream, and then they can live out these dreams through a great sport, and our community can live out its passions and its ups and downs and highs and lows with a great sport. I think one of the great things about baseball is there are so many games, and the games go on, it's almost kind of part of the rhythm of life.

MLB.com: When the votes of the D.C. Council go through next Tuesday to give you the stadium financing plan, how will you celebrate?

Williams: I'm not going to celebrate until I actually see the owners have voted, until I actually see an owner here, until I see the team playing in RFK -- then I'll celebrate. I don't want to be premature.

MLB.com: Do you want to throw out the first pitch?

Williams: I think if President [Bush] were to come to the game, he should throw out the first pitch. I would hope that he would come. I would like to personally invite him to come. I think as an American and as a Washington, D.C., citizen, I would like to see the president throw out the ball.

MLB.com: Will you invite him?

Williams: All in due course. I certainly will when I see him, no question about it. I would be very, very honored to see the president throw the first pitch, and if I can throw the second one, it would be great. Hopefully, I won't throw a dirt ball.

Jeff Seidel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

print this page    |    email this page