Free Republic

Fix the schools. That appeal has become the self-serving mantra of the anti-ballpark brigade in the city. The purpose is to disarm those who embrace the vision of a publicly funded ballpark along the Anacostia River waterfront in Southeast.

<p>Charlie Brotman knows a few things about the District's 32-year quest to bring Major League Baseball back to the city.</p> <p>There was the time in late 1973 the San Diego Padres almost moved to town. There were the pushes to get an expansion team in 1976, 1987, 1991 and 1995. There was the nearly finished deal, also in 1995, that would have relocated the Houston Astros to Northern Virginia.</p>