That first pitch. The opening kickoff. Drop of the puck. Opening tipoff. Whatever your sport of choice, its respective season opener is cause for celebration. For me, it happens to be baseball.
There is nothing quite like the start of the Major League Baseball season. The smell of the grass, the crack of the bat, the promise of warmer weather – and a season of unknown – are all reason enough for me to become giddy like a child. Who can blame me? Baseball is still America’s pastime in my eyes. Having a winning team in our city helps, of course. Regardless, fans of those perennially in the playoff hunt, as well as the habitual cellar dwellers, come out in droves to support their squad – at least on Opening Day. For if only for one day, there lies hope for everyone.
After Day 1, the Pittsburgh Pirates were in first place, and on pace to go 162 – 0. Ironically, the New York Yankees were in last place, and on pace to go 0 – 162. The Phightin Phils? First place! On pace for a perfect season! Not only that, with his 6 RBIs, 3rd baseman Placido Polanco was on pace to drive in a whopping 972 runs for the season! I told you this was a special day. Unfortunately, 3 games into the season, none of the above is a remote possibility, but at least for one day, the impossible can be imagined.
How can you not love Opening Day? It has National Holiday written all over it – and it’s a helluva lot more interesting than Earth Day. Here’s to another magical season full of peanuts, cracker jacks, and Phillies victories!
What does it for me is the smell of cut squid on the opening day of fishing season.