It's Time
"I love Opening Day. I think we all do, whether it's the players, coaches, or front office. It's just a special day in our American culture. It's weaved into the fabric of what we are, and I think it's a great day." Bud Black
"An opener is not like any other game. There's that little extra excitement, a faster beating of the heart. You have that anxiety to get off to a good start, for yourself and for the team. You know that when you win the first one, you can't lose 'em all." Early Wynn
Today is Opening Day. It's finally here, after months of waiting it out. It's our unofficial holiday where everyone wants to call in sick from work and skip class. It's the first game of 162 games. It's the first day of a wonderful six months of the greatest sport on Earth. It's one of the first things written on my calendar when the year changes. It's signaling my favorite season is just around the corner: summer. The boys of summer are back.
On Opening Day, my heart beats faster because I have six months of the greatest sport in the world ahead of me.
"You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen." Joe DiMaggio
This is the fifth Opening Day I'll be watching since my fandom was rather casual until the middle of the 2004 season. It won't be my favorite Opening Day (that was 2006), but it's the one I've anticipated the most since I've been writing about the White Sox practically daily for the past four months.
Since I've watched the White Sox on Opening Day, they have a 2-2 record. All against the Indians. So needless to say, having them start against the Royals
Not only do baseball fans get excited for Opening Day, presidents have also shown excitement for it. Since 1910, eleven presidents have thrown out a ceremonial first pitch. While current president Barack Obama will unfortunately be unable to throw out the first pitch for the White Sox, I sincerely hope he'll be able to make one appearance at US Cellular Field to throw out a first pitch for his and my beloved White Sox. After all, the nation heard him say in an interview with Stuart Scott on ESPN, "White Sox, that's baseball. Southside."
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Roger Hornsby
Nothing historic happens in the offseason. We all sit and stare out the window, waiting for spring like Roger Hornsby. Well, maybe not literally. Opening Day has had its share of history. Ted Williams hit .449 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in all of his Opening Day performances. He also had at least one hit in every Opening Day game he played in. In 1940, a huge pitching event occurred. White Sox pitcher Eddie Smith went head-to-head with Cleveland pitcher Bob Feller. Both had great performances, but Feller ended up throwing the only no-hitter in Opening Day in Major League history. Hank Aaron hit his 714th home run, tying Babe Ruth on Opening Day in Cincinnati.
Greg Maddux (through 2004 since baseball-almanac.com has not updated its Opening Day page since then that I'm aware of) had a 6-0 record in 7 career Opening Day starts. Other perfect pitchers include Jimmy Key (7-0) and Wes Ferrell (6-0). Walter Johnson pitched nine shutouts with a 9-5 record. Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey Jr. each hit eight homers on Opening Day, and Willie Mays and Eddie Mathews each hit seven. Great performances are had on Opening Day.
What kind of historic things might happen this Opening Day? Well, for starters, Jordan Schafer, in his first major league at-bat, hit a home run for Atlanta. What will happen today in the twelve games played today? Will there be a no-hitter? Will there be a perfect game? Will there be a grand slam? Only time will tell, but I'll be ready for whatever these teams will throw at me.
"The good thing about Opening Day is, at the end of the day, it counts. It's on record." Jimmy Rollins
Everyone is 0-0 and in first place (excepting the Phillies and Braves). Everyone is starting new. Everyone is throwing out the spring training records. They mean nothing and have always meant nothing.
Today is the first day where it matters. After the first game, there are 161 more games that can make or break the season. There are 161 more chances for success, 161 more chances for failure. 161 more chances to write your team in the record books.
Is this the year that the Mariners, Rangers, or Nationals make it to the Series for the first time? Is this the year that the Cubs finally win it all again? Will all of the money the Yankees invested pay off? Only time will tell, but we have six glorious months of baseball to look forward to while anticipating the answer to all those questions.
"There is no sports event like Opening Day of baseball, the sense of beating back the forces of darkness and the National Football League." George Vecsey
I love football. It was my first love. I love that the Chicago Bears traded for Jay Cutler and signed Orlando Pace on Thursday. I love Brian Urlacher almost as much as I love AJ Pierzynski (key word "almost"). I love the anticipation leading up to my weekly football games on Sunday. Now that I live in San Diego, I look forward to Bears games that I can see like it's the Super Bowl or the World Series. I love that in Super Bowl XLI, Devin Hester returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown for the first time ever in a Super Bowl.
But there's something about baseball. Something different. Something more exciting to me now. Football will always be exciting for me as well, but baseball holds my attention longer. It makes me happier. It makes me jump out of my seat, yelling along with Hawk. Yes, I will scream "stretch," "get on back there," and my favorite, much to the chagrin of practically everyone I know, "that ball hit deep, way back, he looks up, you can put it on the booooooooooooooard YES!" I do it every time. I do it in my living room, I'll do it in your living room if I'm ever there, I do it in bars, and I do it at the game. I'm one of the most obnoxious people you may ever meet. But you'll love me once you meet me.
Just like you did with baseball.
Video Credits
2006 White Sox Opening Day Video: YouTube user sxsder24
Chicago White Sox Tribute: YouTube user PrincssJennfer
white sox dont stop believing: YouTube user timoney
Chicago White Sox Pride: YouTube user Ozuna38
Chicago White Sox Promo Video: Lefty-Pierzynski 4/1/2009: YouTube user ITSkylineBlogNews
2008 White Sox Montage: YouTube user kykygruber
Yay Jen! It is FINALLY here! And our Opening Day is in danger of being rained out! ugh!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
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That Pierzynski video is pretty funny! I love the look on the kid's face when he looks at the ball with the scrawled A.J. on it! Too bad the weather is wreaking havoc on Opening Day today.
Sue
Rants, Raves, and Random Thoughts
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Yay for 100th entries! This was a great entry. I honestly do not know how I am planning on paying attention during class today. Why did my history professor decide that today was a good day to schedule our test? Why? I will not be able to concentrate at all. I have a baseball playlist that I will be listening to all day. And I swear if my Psych professor decides to let us out at 2 instead of 2:15 I am staying in the room until 2:05 to watch Grady's first at bat of the season, I don't care what people think.
Sorry your Opening Day got snowed out. I'm glad the Indians are in Texas. Only kind of though. Cliff Lee's ERA is going to get killed today. I decided if he can give up less than 6 runs I won't be worried about him anymore.
Melissa
http://clemsongirlbaseball.mlblogs.com
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nice blog check mine out http://soxwincubslose.com
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Sorry you got delayed a day, but you'll have the big Opening stage all to yourself tomorrow and you don't even have to put up with the snow. Decent deal.
- Toby
http://welcometotheshow.mlblogs.com/
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Nice tribute to the Palehose!
Don't ya just love a snow out on opening day!
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That was sooooo great, Jen! It was so much fun to meet you and hang out at Petco yesterday! I loved the entry! That was pretty EPIC!!
http://kaybee.mlblogs.com
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Sucks your game was delayed today :(
But great post...I LOVE the Pierzynski commercial. Too funny :)
http://loveebaseball02.mlblogs.com/
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Julia - I'm totally excited, even though the Sox are postponed. Both of them now. I get the Padres and my new favorite Padres player, Jake Peavy. :)
Sue - I love love love the AJ video. I needed a humorous one in there rather than all the awesome serious videos, and since I found it on YouTube rather than just the link from WhiteSox.com, I totally put it up.
Melissa - I think your teacher just wants to spite you and make your life difficult. Had the Sox opener not been postponed, I'd have been doing the same thing with AJ, and he's batting seventh!
White Sox Real Talk - thanks! I'll definitely head over there!
Toby - when you put it that way, I'm not so bitter about the postponement! Thanks for the new perspective!
Hitmen - since it's a Sox blog, the videos HAVE to be all Palehose. :) Hopefully the snow won't be a problem tomorrow.
Kaybee - thank you! Yesterday was definitely a blast, and I'll be talking about it in tomorrow's blog. :)
Sarah - AJ's definitely a character. Which pretty much explains my absolute adoration of him. Hahaha. I guess I can live with a delay until tomorrow. However if there's no game tomorrow, I'll be really angry!
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Opening day for the Corpus Christi Hooks isn't till April 9th. We have an exhibition game against our Triple A affiliate, the Round Rock Express on April 7th. Opening day coincidentally happens to be my wife's birthday.
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Jen,
Here hoping to many more 100's for you in the future.
I do have to say I loved journey before that song got played so much you could not hear it for 5 years. But, it brought together your club, and that is a positive thing. Again Congrats on 100, and for being a classy competitor this weekend.
That is what i like about so many of the people on here....They are pure class in a glass.
Keep up the awesome writing.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
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Congrats on your 100th entry! I can't wait for opening game :) By the way, I fixed my entry so you can see the pictures now. I can see them but why can't you guys?
http://hyunyoung.mlblogs.com
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Dan - enjoy your Opening Day when it gets here! There's nothing better! And good luck to the Hooks this season! And happy birthday to your wife.
Renegade - it took me about four months to get to 100, but now that the season has started, it might take less time to get to 200! I couldn't listen to "Don't Stop Believing" in 2006 because I got so sick of it after we played it to death in '05. But now I can listen again and think of all the wonderful times we had that season. With my AJ, my Crede, and my Rowand. How I wish they were all still Sox. At least I still have one. Good luck to you in the rest of the Max tourney!
Hyun Young - 45 minutes from the time I post this and it's Padres baseball with my new favorite Padre pitching! Woo! I'll make sure to get back to your blog and see if the pictures work for me.
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I love Opening Day. Every team is in first place, no matter what you finished in the season before. All Spring Training stats, standings, and records are gone, and you have 162 games to be the best team you can.
http://bronx-awesome.mlblogs.com/
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Babu - exactly! Love love love Opening Day! And I'll be even more excited when my White Sox open tomorrow. :)
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Jen,
I loved this entry, and the quotes fit perfectly. We did have a grand slam today, from Mr. On-My-Fantasy-Team (aka Hanley Ramirez). That's so cool that so many people have records over the course of many Opening Days, or have done something spectacular on Opening Day. There are still three more Opening games... so history can still be made. I totally want to watch a game with you now, to hear your home run calls.
"Let us leave our closed rooms, the game of ball is glorious" -Walt Whitman.
Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com
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Good luck in your delayed opening day! May it have good pitching : )
Tom
http://rockymountainway.mlblogs.com
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Elizabeth - I'm glad you liked it! There was a Yogi Berra quote I had, but it didn't fit in anywhere. I might use it in today's blog just to use it. It has to do with home openers, and since the White Sox open in less than 2 hours, it'd be appropriate! I had the Marlins game open and saw Hanley's slam, and my immediate reaction was "Elizabeth must be thrilled!" Hahaha! My home run calls are so ridiculous...Hawk is obviously sitting in the booth calling them, but I'm jumping/dancing/whatever around my living room when I do it. I'm awesome hahaha!
Tom - thanks! Buehrle's pitching, so I think we'll be OK. :) Sorry your Rox lost yesterday, but I watched the game and that was a REALLY good game! Hope you had fun.
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Ah, man, what a game!! The postman, the ComEd guy and I all crowded around my office computer to see Thome blast Farnsworth. Wow. It was pandemonium here on the Southside.
--Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
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Jen,
Believe me, I know how fast they can come out of your mind when you are thinking of baseball.
I think mine today was my 450th blog, and that is just since August 2008on MLBlogs.com, and including my other blogs from April 2008.
It is always fun once the season get going.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
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Jeff - if my neighbors don't hate me for some reason, they will soon enough because I screamed when it started flying to the seats, and being the obnoxious person I am, I did the home run call with Hawk. It. Was. AWESOME.
Renegade - I kinda fear for the keyboard on my laptop because if I crank out multiple blogs while taking notes for class AND writing outlines for those classes AND writing papers AND sending IMs to my friends, my keys may start dying!
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