Opening Day

[jimhopkins82]

Ever since I started working full time after college, I've taken opening day off and watched baseball all day. (I also eat whatever I want, I've been eyeing those Dairy Queen blizzard commercials for a month) Its one of my favorite days of the year. Nothing too unique but I enjoy it. I was wondering if anyone else does anything special on opening day?

[AMBST95]

My son (turns 2 in May) and I will be attending our second Orioles Opening Day together. We will probably sit in our seats for all of 2 innings and then eat some ice cream, walk around looking at the sights, and then go home. It's his and my special day together, without Mom or his sister, that I hope remains a lifelong tradition.

[hangman62]

I used to blow off work and go to Mets opener for about 8 yrs..in the mid 1990's ...but now watch from the TV room

[HRBAKER]

I usually take Opening Day off and veg out watching all day.

[AMBST95]

This brings up something I think MLB does wrong. There should be a uniform Opening Day. I can understand giving last year's champ a game the day before, but there is no reason for MLB not to have all teams start the same day. It seems like every year, half the games are one day and the other half the next, or maybe even the day after that. If MLB made a concerted effort to make Opening Day more of an event, it could become one of those blockbuster days, just short of the Opening Round of March Madness or college football on Black Friday. It'd be one day of the year that MLB would own. With the MLB Network and ESPN, there really is a PR opportunity that MLB gets caught looking on every season.

[jerseygary]

Ever since I started working full time after art school, I had a provision put in all my employment contracts that I get opening day off and 3 half-days for baseball day games a year. I've done that in every city I lived - Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles... being in the creative field my co-workers and bossed thought it was eccentric. To me it was baseball and opening day is like New Years Eve to me. Now that I work for myself I no longer have to do that, but I wouldn't think of missing opening day, especially since I live across the river from Cincinnati which is the best place in the country for opening day.

If you've never been to Cincinnati for one, you absolutely must. The parade is something special to see and the city entirely shuts down. The festive atmosphere is like no other baseball-related event in any league.

When my tickets arrived in the mail last week, I got a feeling like I was a kid again. This year I get to take my fiancee to the parade and game, a tradition I hope to continue as long as we live. The extra bonus is she is a die-hard Angels fan and that just so happens to be who the Reds are playing that day. It's inter-league, but just the same, it's baseball!

MLB really screwed up when they took the first pitch out of Cincinnati. This city sure knows how to embrace the game. Japan? Puerto Rico? Cincinnati is where it should begin, every year.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by AMBST95

I can understand giving last year's champ a game the day before, but there is no reason for MLB not to have all teams start the same day.

The 2012 champs open the same day (4/1) as most everyone else. I think it'd take at least 2 more consecutive WS for the Giants to command that sort of special prime time (3/31) slot.

[jimm]

Pittsburgh's ballpark along with ATT in SF are 2 of my favorites. I would love to follow the Giants for a Cincy - Pittsburgh roady.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by jimm

Pittsburgh's ballpark along with ATT in SF are 2 of my favorites. I would love to follow the Giants for a Cincy - Pittsburgh roady.

I'll post if I make any road games this year.. I'd love to possibly connect with a fellow Giant fan/collector at a road park.

Giants' first hurdle cleared, 2 of 3 in LA from the very formidable and spendy 2013 version of the Dodgers. I'm fired up for Friday's home opener vs the Cards.. I'll be there BBQing/drinking before and yelling during. Looks like there's a possibility of rain, shades of game 7 glory in the NLCS last year.

[Jcfowler6]

Would love to meet up with any of you guys. Let me know when you are in Pittsburgh.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by Jcfowler6

Would love to meet up with any of you guys. Let me know when you are in Pittsburgh.

Absolutely. I'll be on the other side of the state next week for work. Would love to catch a Phillies game out there sometime, but I'll be totally tied up with work this trip.. No idea whether they're home next week or not anyway.

[jimm]

Looks like a beautiful day at ATT for the home opener vs StL. Good times with the flag raising and all, Go Giants!

[jimm]

Very cool, finally got to my first game last night. A couple moon shots by Pence and CarGo!

[itjclarke]

Nice. Pence is looking good so far (as are Pagan, Sandoval). Gonna be real nice when Posey starts lighting it up. I'm watching tonight's game from my hotel in Philly.. Is 2:25 am here and I have a 6:30am flight to catch, but I'm fired up cuz we just took a 7-6 lead.. Check that 8-6. Setting up to be a miserable day tomorrow though!