DC Baseball: Bring Back the Grays!

[FightinNewDem]

Conventional wisdom has it that the Expos will become the Senators when they begin play in Washington next year. But the Senators, in both of their previous incarnations, epitomized futility. They were the Devil Rays of their day, the perennial doormat (the Walter Johnson era the conspicuous exception).

So let's do the right thing. Let's bring back the Grays.

The Homestead Grays were the Negro League team that shared Griffith Stadium with the Senators. Unlike their American League roommates, the Grays were a powerhouse. Led by power hitting catcher Josh Gibson, the Grays won nine Negro league pennants.

A new Washington Grays would be a great way to honor their original namesakes. It would be a nice bit of symbolism that would right the wrongs of an earlier era.

DC Mayor Anthony Williams is on record as supporting the Grays proposal. You can show your support by signing the petition at:

http://www.rememberthegrays.org/

[dave123williams]

1. First in war, first in peace, last on the color palate.

[Catch22Dem]

2. I think that's a GREAT idea!

How cool would that be?

[olddem43]

3. Great idea - I hope it flies.

[Zuni]

4. The Senators is such a good name

I really like that name for a DC team. I will always be an Orioles fan first though.

[amerikat]

5. A classic X-Files episode about the negro leagues

called "The Unnatural". I like the name(Grays), but will always think of this when I hear it.

[FightinNewDem]

9. Actual Grays uniforms

I loved that episode...

The uniforms and caps used by the "Roswell Grays" in the X-Files are actually the same uniforms worn by the Homestead Grays during their glory years in DC. The whole "Roswell Grays" bit was a homage to both the New Mexico UFO story and to Josh Gibson and company.

[soothsayer]

6. I'd rather have the Nationals if we can't have the Senators. The Grays

sound too much like gray aliens, or somehow like neither black nor white but gray. But I do appreciate the history behind the name, but the Nationals was the original name before the Senators.

[meow2u3]

7. What about the Admirals?

Naval commanders--Kerry material :think:

[JohnKleeb]

8. Would be more apt IMO if they played in the Tides of Virginia

[FightinNewDem]

10. Norfolk Admirals

The Norfolk Admirals are a real team. They play in the American Hockey League, hockey's top-level farm circuit.

[Beware the Beast Man]

11. Boo! You can't have them!

Pittsburgh lays claim to the Grays, and we're not sharing!

[mac56]

12. IIRC, the Rangers own the rights to the "Senators" name.

Let them keep it. Go with the Grays or the Nationals.