D.C. finally gets back into the game

The Washington Nationals’ first hitter, Brad Wilkerson (Rich Pilling photo)

The old Montreal Expos make their debut as the Washington Nationals 19 years ago today with an 8-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies before a Monday afternoon crowd of 44,080 in South Philly.

Historians note that Brad Wilkerson is the Nationals' leadoff batter and needs only four pitches to deliver the team’s first hit as he lines Jon Lieber's 1-2 delivery into right field for a single.

The Nationals’ first homer comes in the sixth inning as Terrmel Sledge, following Vinny Castillo’s two-out single, lines Lieber’s next pitch into the right field stands.

Fans in Philadelphia promptly throw the ball back onto the field.

The baseball’s next stop reportedly is Cooperstown for a spot in the Hall of Fame.

“I’m glad they threw it back,” Sledge says with a smile after the game. “Somebody told me that it's going to the Hall of Fame. My eyes lit up. To have something in the Hall of Fame is unbelievable ... just unbelievable.”

Sledge’s homer cuts Philadelphia’s lead to 7-3 in a game the Nationals eventually lose 8-4.

“Playing in front of 44,000, that was an unbelievable feeling,” Sledge says. “Just a zing going through my body from head to toe.”

Ironically, the Nationals’ debut in 2005 comes exactly 31 years to the day after Washington plans to return to the majors with the anticipated relocation of the San Diego Padres to D.C.

Back then, the team’s makeshift front office sets Washington’s 1974 season opener for April 4 against the Phillies at RFK Stadium.

The move, though, never happens as a McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc negotiates a last-minute, late-winter deal to purchase the Padres from cash-strapped owner C. Arnholt Smith and keep team in San Diego.

After coming so tantalizingly close to getting the Padres in 1974, Washington has to wait until 19 years ago today before finally fielding another team.

“There was a lot of hype coming into this game,” Wilkerson says of the 2005 Nationals’ first game after spending 36 seasons in Montreal.

“Every Opening Day is like that, but this had a little extra spice moving to a new city,” Wilkerson says. “I think everybody on this team is glad it’s over and we can just go out and play baseball now.”