Monday, April 6, 2009
The Greatest Day of the Year
Ever since I was little, I have loved Opening Day. It starts in Little League with the opening ceremonies and continues all day as teams play their first games of the spring. Baseball, more than any other sport, carries a nostalgia that makes it special. I love basketball and enjoy football and hockey, but nothing really comes close to Opening Day in baseball. My love for this day did not wane when I stopped playing, but rather has intensified as I have grown up. It signifies the first day of a six month (and hopefully longer) journey where I will follow the ups and down of my favorite team. I will make several trips to the majestic Dodger Stadium to watch the Dodgers and hopefully more often than not I will leave with Randy Newman signing in the background. Optimism is prevalent throughout all the parks in Major League Baseball, and the first game always feels way more important than the single game it counts for in the standings. And so today at 4 PM the Dodgers will open their journey in San Diego against the rival Padres and notorious Dodger Killer Jake Peavy. Hiroki Kuroda gets the call from Joe Torre and he has the difficult task of trying to match Peavy's brilliance. I hope the Dodgers win, but it's not the end of the world if they drop the opener. There are 161 more to play after today. I remind myself amidst the excitement of Opening Day to keep this proper perspective. Unfortunately, as a fan, it's not always that easy. Great teams are developed over the long haul, and bumps in the road always occur along the way. It's important to enjoy the marathon that is the Major League Baseball season. I can't wait for it to get started.
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I really like the Randy Newman reference
ReplyDeleteYa I thought it was fitting in that, as Los Angeles fans, we have learned to associate "I Love LA" with happy times. Gotta love it.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. I consider Opening Day at Dodger Stadium a religious holiday....haven't missed one since '98 and will start lil' JD on his holiday this year. Can't wait until Monday.
ReplyDeleteYa it's going to be fun. I am excited Bills is getting the nod for the home opener
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the season opener was at home, would Bills get the nod? I see him as our #1.
ReplyDeleteYou and Adam going next Monday? If so, we'll have to meet up before the game.
Bills is definitely our number one. I'm glad he is pitching the home opener. Ya Adam and I will be there along with Matt on Monday. Where do you guys want to meet up?
ReplyDeleteWe'll be sitting in loge directly behind homeplate. Since we'll have JD, I doubt we'll be hanging out in the parking lot much prior to the game. Where are you guys sitting? Send me yours and Adam's cell #s to my email - - cubuffalo97 at yahoo dot com. I lost your guys' numbers when I got a new phone.
ReplyDeleteWill do... We're sitting in the top deck, poor college kids take what we can afford.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter where you are sitting so long as you are there. I wouldn't trade my top deck seat to Game 1 in '88 for a year of season tix to the Dugout Club. See you on Monday.
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