Last night I was able to attend the press conference for the new owners of the Washington Nationals, the Lerner family and associates, held at the Fairmont Hotel on M Street NW. I did not have any trouble getting in, I simply walked into the Fairmont and asked where the Lerner press conference was and I was poitned in the right direction.

I posted 25 photos of the event on my Web site. You can watch the first part of the press conference and via wusa9.com.

I was taking photos most of the time, so I had to put these notes together from memory:

# “Well, it’s been some kind of day.”

Ted Lerner read from a prepared statement. His best line — “I had not realized I was such a man of mystery until I read a couple of recent newspaper articles.” He generally did not answer questions from the press, his son Mark and Stan Kasten, Nationals president.

# Ted Lerner pronounces the city, “Warsh-ing-ton.”

# Mark Lerner also read from a prepared statement.

# Stan Kasten spoke without notes. His three main points: player development, customer satisfaction, community relations.

# Kasten said that he expected to get the Nats on Comcast because it is the best thing for all involved, but did not elaborate on how it would happen.

# When asked if they lived in the District, Ted said “yes” and they paid $10 million in taxes to the city. Most other questions were answered by Mark Lerner and Stan Kasten.

# Vincent Orange showed up early in the press conference, Marion Barry showed up about halfway through. Both were noted by Edward Cohen, son-in-law of Ted and a principal owner. Thank god those two, along with Jim Bowden are happy with the Lerners, I don’t know how I could accept this ownership group without their endorsement.

# James Brown mentioned that grandfather was involved with the Hattiesburg Black Sox, a Mississippi baseball team that continues to this day.

# I got a press kit, the releases are linked below

# I met Charlie Brotman and had my photo taken with him.

# Barry and Orange managed to get down to the stage quicky after the formal press conference. Barry shook Ted Lerner’s hand for over a thirty seconds and was in the middle of several photos taken of all involved.

# Interestingly enough, Barry and Orange were the only to council members there. They were introduced to polite applause.

# Adrian Fenty had this to say in The Post: “There’s too much to gain for everybody, even though the process wasn’t the greatest,” Fenty said. “It’s a great time for a new fresh start. We need to get momentum back for the Nationals.”

# Stan Kasten announced he would be available to District officials, promising to give out his phone numbers. Kasten got a good laugh from the crowd when he told WTOP’s Marc Plotkin that priviliege was reserved for people who were elected.

# nationals.com beat writer Bill Ladson lives up to his nickname, “Rocket.” The guy moves fast.

# I did not see any MASN crews over there.

Media reaction

The Post