Nationals’ ‘W’ – a symbol for win

The Washington Nationals played their first game with all the fanfare of opening day – not an exhibition opener.

Fans lined up at the stadium gates several dozen deep 1 1/2 hours before the first pitch Wednesday, there was a half-mile traffic jam – after the game had started – and every seat was sold out.

Playing for the first time since leaving Montreal, the Nationals beat the New York Mets, led by new manager Willie Randolph, 5-3 at Viera, Fla.

“It was special because of the situation. We’re all aware of it. You always try to keep your perspective that it’s an exhibition game,” Nationals manager Frank Robinson said. “It’s the next step, getting a little closer to the real thing, and you do get excited about that. You can’t get too up, though.”

After three years in limbo as the Montreal Expos, the team finally took to the field wearing home white uniforms with “Nationals” in red and gold across the chests and a curly white “W” on their hats reminiscent of the old Senators’ caps.

“It did feel good once I put it on,” said second baseman Jose Vidro, who played his entire eight-year career with Montreal.

Anaheim remains Angelic

The city of Anaheim won a round in its legal battle to force the baseball team to stop calling itself the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

A judge in Orange County rejected the team’s request to dismiss key elements in the city’s breach of contract lawsuit over the name change, which the team announced in January. Superior Court Judge Peter Polos said the issues should be decided at trial.

“It’s a great day for Anaheim, it’s a great day for Orange County and it’s a great day for Angels’ fans,” said Andrew Guilford, an attorney for the city. “They were trying to stop the lawsuit and the court said the lawsuit should go forward.”

Guilford said he will seek a trial date in August and hopes that before the end of the month an appeals court will rule on the city’s request for an emergency order blocking use of the new name.

Robinson receives award

Jackie Robinson was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, more than half a century after breaking baseball’s color barrier.

President Bush gave Congress’ highest honor to Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, in a stately ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. The Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate and the commissioner of Major League Baseball looked on.

“His story is one that shows what one person can do to hold America to account to its founding promise of freedom and equality,” Bush said. “It’s a lesson for people coming up to see. One person can make a big difference in setting the tone of this country.”

When Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, professional baseball was segregated.

He died in 1972 and his No. 42 was retired throughout baseball in 1997.

“This medal confirms what we know,” Rachel Robinson said. “Jackie Robinson stands as a heroic role model for all Americans who believe in justice and equality.”

Big Unit to throw this weekend

New York Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson, slowed by tightness in his left calf, could throw off a bullpen mound this weekend.

Johnson will not start the Yankees’ spring training opener today against Pittsburgh as a precaution. He is slated to pitch Tuesday against Atlanta.

“Tomorrow I could go out and pitch … I feel that good,” Johnson said. “I plan on throwing my side session on Saturday or Sunday, and see how it feels. Have a day off or two, play catch and take a long bus ride over to Orlando.”

Johnson played catch and went through a stretching session but didn’t participate in fielding or running drills.

Clearing the bases

Rick Mahler, who won nearly 100 games during a 13-year career spent mostly with the Atlanta Braves, died. He was 51. Mahler, the Spokane Indians pitching coach in 1998, died of a heart attack at home in Jupiter, Fla., while preparing for his second season as a minor league pitching coach for the New York Mets, the team said. … Right-hander Ryan Drese agreed to terms on a $6 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers that includes a team option for 2007. Earlier, the Rangers signed starting pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez to a one-year contract and renewed the contracts of outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix.