Take me out to the ballgame…

(In my best Rock impersonation)

FINALLY … BASEBALL HAS COME BACK … TO D.C.

That’s right kiddies, after months of debates and negotiations, the Montreal Expos are coming to town (much to the chagrin of the Baltimore Orioles).

The Expos play their last game in Montreal tonight.

Ever since the failed Senators experiment sent the Beltway’s only Major League Baseball franchise to Texas to become the Rangers, everyone here has cheered (or jeered) the Orioles.

I realized long ago that Virginians will never pony up the dough to get a professional sports franchise. We just turn to the Orioles. But now they will have competition within 60 miles, even at the farthest proposed new stadium location.

But where will the new stadium be?

Four D.C. sites have been under consideration; only the one near RFK Stadium would require no ownership contribution. A site at New York Avenue, near the U.S. Capitol, is more intriguing. A site near the National Mall, offering spectacular views and access to four subway stops, is the most intriguing (and expensive) of all.

The city has promised to build a $400 million stadium on the Anacostia waterfront, where the Expos, probably under a different name, will play starting in the 2008 season. Renovations to RFK, where the team will play until its new home is completed, will reportedly take at least three months.

Os owner Peter Angelos may have a good reason to be concerned. The team’s attendance might suffer, and their broadcast revenue may diminish. But, the reality is that no neighboring team could damage the Orioles as much as Angelos has in the past decade.

Will this be a good deal in the long run? I am not exactly sure.

There will be short-term benefits, of course. Increased revenue for the D.C., and its businesses is good for everyone involved.

We’ll see if it can work. If not, we’ll be losing another team and gaining another headache.