Sept. 23 -- SO LONG, RFK

WASHINGTON -- Cool ceremony going on right now on the field. In honor of the last scheduled baseball game at RFK Stadium, several former Washington Senators players have joined the Nationals on the field. Included among them are Frank Howard and Dick Bosman, two of the most popular players in Senators history.

This is a rather interesting ceremony since RFK isn't going anywhere. The 46-year-old stadium on the eastern edge of Capitol Hill will remain standing and serve as the home of the DC United soccer team. But, in April, the Nationals will move into a new ballpark on the banks of the Anacostia River. Drove by there earlier this morning, and it appears to be rising quickly. Much of the upper deck already is in place. Word is there will be a view of the Capitol Building over the outfield wall. Should be nice.

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Meanwhile, the Phillies just keep winning. Ryan Howard went from a four-strikeout goat to a 10th-inning hero last night, driving home the go-ahead run in a 4-1 win. And, once again, the bullpen came up huge. J.C. Romero, Tom Gordon and Brett Myers, whose durability is becoming a marvel, pitched for the fifth straight time and didn't allow a run. I wouldn't be surprised to see them again today.

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Adam Eaton didn't pitch well (again) Friday night, but the Phillies will have no choice but to use him this week, probably Friday against the Nationals. Also, within the notebook, there's news that Scott Mathieson will be undergoing a second elbow surgery in 12 months Monday.

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My Sunday baseball notes examine a storyline that has been lost amid the pennant race. Chase Utley is trying to become the first Phillies player since Richie Ashburn in 1958 to win a batting title. Also, Sen. Jim Bunning can relate to what the Mets went through last week.