Opening Day. “Play Ball!” No Better Words

Opening Day - baseball starts anew today. Every team is 0-0 with lofty World Series aspirations in their heads, yet to be tempered by the reality of a 162 game marathon slugfest where only the best survive to the postseason. Green grass and white lines with traditional bunting strewn over the bleachers is a visual tapestry that gladdens the souls of baseball fans after a long winter. Baseball is back for those deeply engrossed in a lifelong love affair with the greatest game played, our national pastime.

The purported death of baseball is greatly exaggerated. Too slow and too long. A game watched by old people. Kids have abandoned the game. These arguments get spun by pundits every year. The scenes being played out today on Opening Day refute those closely held observations.  

Stadiums open their gates to fans today and they come just like in Field of Dreams. Fathers and sons and daughters, buddies and business people, grizzled old-time fans and first timers. Generations young and old coming together to celebrate baseball on the best of days, Opening Day. A melting pot of diverse people with one goal, rooting for the home team. Connected by the love of the region or city’s baseball team. 

Who hasn’t walked through a tunnel that empties into the vastness of the stadium and felt truly in awe?  It’s a moment that never gets old no matter how many games you’ve attended. Taking in the entire splendor that is a major league ballpark. Checking out the lineup and the day’s starting pitcher.   Arriving early and catching batting practice. Enjoying a cold beer or a ballpark frank. Anticipating the at bats of the likes of Trout, Judge, Ohtani and Harper. Following the away games on the jumbo scoreboards and placing a wager or two. Buying branded apparel to sport at upcoming games to show your allegiance as a true-blue fan. It’s Americana through and through. 

Is there any sport better at revering its all-time greats? Cooperstown blows away any of the other sports Halls. You can literally get lost for hours with buddies arguing over the merits of potential Hall of Fame inductees. If you’re of a certain age, the act of dissecting a box score is a daily go-to habit. They tell a story in and of itself, much like listening to a game on the radio. A great pastime to while away a summer afternoon with your favorite lager or pilsner and a good cigar. 

Name another sport where the names of the stadiums are truly “destinations” and bucket list worthy. Like entertainment icons, they’re one name stars – Fenway, Wrigley, Camden. Has anyone ever wanted to go to all of the NBA or NFL stadiums?  Sure, SoFi stadium is an architectural masterpiece, but give me Dodgers Stadium with the palm trees gently swaying in the background with an early evening breeze any day of the week.

As the recent World Baseball Classic demonstrated, baseball is increasingly a world game. The worldwide interest was off the charts. Almost 40% of the Japanese population tuned in to the final against the USA. It presented great theater with two MLB giants, Ohtani and Trout, going mano a mano with two out in the bottom of the ninth. You can’t script drama like this. On Opening Day you’re never sure what history or magic you’re going to witness – a no no, a perfecto, a cycle, a grannie or a golden sombrero. If you’re truly a baseball fan, you understand. It’s Opening Day and time to celebrate all the greatness baseball brings for the next seven months. “Play Ball,” no better words.

Go Sawx.!