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Backpack strap used by Apollo 14 moonwalker sells for $41K

By The Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — A backpack strap used by an Apollo 14 astronaut as he moved around the surface of the moon in 1971 has sold at auction for nearly $42,000.

Massachusetts-based RR Auction says the strap that Edgar Mitchell brought back as a souvenir of the mission fetched $41,806 this week. The buyer’s identity was not disclosed.

Mitchell spent nearly 9½ hours on the lunar surface, where he left the life support backpack before returning to Earth. Astronauts typically left such items on the moon to save weight and offset the moon rocks they needed to bring back with them.

The suit he wore is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.

Covering the Bases: Nats and the rain

By Jonathan Warner
WASHINGTON -- It's rather ironic that the Nationals' longest night in Atlanta this weekend ended up being their best of the series. However, I don't know if Braves fans will say the same thing. They had to wait out a 3-hour, 41-minute rain delay late Saturday. The game didn't start until 10:50 p.m., and because it went 11 innings, didn't end till 2:29 a.m. Major League Baseball can't control the length of games, but it can certainly limit the time fans must endure before play begins. Anything beyond two hours is a disgrace. It shows no respect for the paying customer. If fans finally lose patience, head home and then play begins, not only do they miss the game, but there will be no refund either. All clubs do it. I've sat through many long rain delays in different cities. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. However, while I'll return for more games, you have to think some fans may not ever be back. - Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg were supposed to make the Nationals World Series contenders. So, it's rather ironic that they're in first place with both having rather unimpressive years. In addition, the Face of the Franchise, Ryan Zimmerman, has been sidelined most of the season. So how are they doing it? Pitching and defense. Washington had only one All-Star and now Jayson Werth is dealing with nagging injuries. The Nationals' MVPs have been Anthony Rendon, Ian Desmond, Denard Span, Tanner Roark and Doug Fister. So far, though, it hasn't been good enough to beat the Braves, at least head-to-head. Maybe in the end it won't matter. - Watching the Nats-Braves game Sunday night once again highlighted an annoying factor of ESPN. The freakin' news crawl. STOP IT. PLEASE. I don't need to be reminded every two minutes that Tony Stewart has released a statement or watch repeated Arena Football League scores. Who even knew the league still existed? - One final thing. The PGA Championship hands out a true award. The Wanamaker Trophy is a size befitting a major championship. Not quite as big as the Stanley Cup, but impressive nonetheless at 28-inches high and 27-inches in diameter from handle to handle. It weighs 27 pounds. The World Cup, meanwhile, needs to up its game. A World Championship deserves a world class trophy. 14.5 inches tall just doesn't cut it. Follow @WTOP and @WTOPSports on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook. .
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