Alex Rodriguez knows all about Washington. Talking on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, A-Rod thinks we're all lining Pennsylvania Ave. debating the latest between President Donald Trump and Congress. There's no time for sports because we're political wonks.
Stay in your lane, bro.
I'm also a licensed Washington tour guide, so I meet many people around the country and world who are surprised what a nice city this is. With assumptions formed by blathering TV political pundits, visitors think Washington is some steel cage match between politicians.
WATCH: A-Rod Takes A Shot At D.C.
A-Rod, here's the real story from a native – we have lives like everybody else in the country. Sure, the city's business is politics, but the people you're thinking of are outsiders. Washington is simply the landlord for politicians. When people hate on Washington politics, I say these are your people, not ours. As a U.S. territory named after George Washington and Christopher Columbus (the C in D.C.), we only have a shadow representative. Despite paying more taxes than 22 states, we have no say over what happens on Capitol Hill. So, if you don't like what's going on in Congress, vote in someone new. That's how the system works.
But, don't blame Washingtonians for the country's ills or think it's all we do. Sure, there are 450,000 federal employees in the District. We count money, regulate industries and direct the military. But, every city has its butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. (Well, maybe not the last one.)
Washingtonians are like everyone else – we go to work and go home, just at a maddening slow pace. We watch sports despite the pro teams too often frustrating us. And when one finally wins a championship, there's a big parade just like in New York, Chicago or Kalamazoo.
Sorry, A-Rod, but people here have multiple interests outside politics because it's a fantastic city. There are museums, music, theater and more. That's the great part of Washington – there's always something to do. And, quite often that's attending sports.
Claiming Washington isn't a baseball town is a clueless statement. The Nats have finished in MLB's top-10 attendance for seven straight years by drawing more than 2.3 million annually. This year's opening three-game series drew the fifth-most fans in baseball.
A-Rod, stick to what you know. Just remember you know nothing about Washingtonians.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks
