Opening Day Roller Coaster

This is the first year I actually know when Opening Day for baseball is. Yes, it’s today. Well, kind of, sort of...sure. They played a few games in Japan (those don’t count, really). They opened up Nationals Park last night (that’s technically..."opening night"). Today...today is Opening Day. Yes, a friend of mine actually tried to defend that last night was Opening NIGHT and today is Opening DAY. The logic is lost on me...it’s okay, I’ll live.

So, I decided to watch the Cubs/Brewers game today. Figured, if we are going to keep giving baseball the good college try, let’s be excited about Opening Day. The Cubs dedicated a brand-spanking new statue outside of Wrigley Field of Ernie Banks. He threw out the ceremonial first pitch. It was gonna be a good day, right?

Let’s start with a 40 minute rain delay. Hey, at least it wasn’t postponed by rain like the Yankees game...I’ll deal with the delay. Zambrano pitches well...the only blemish an infield hit that so really wasn’t a "hit." Fukudome, our Japanese import, hit a double on his first Major League Baseball pitch. Nice...this is a good sign... Maybe this Cubs team can give us fans something to cheer about...dare I say, actually live up to some of the analysts’ call for a World Series victory.

50 minute rain delay....

Finally, back to baseball...my interest waning...boredom setting in during the next 5 innings of 3 hit baseball. I mean, Zambrano showed great stuff and is showing that he might be worth his big price tag. He even picked off a runner at 2nd beautifully. Marmol pitched a great set up 8th inning, picking up where Zambrano left off. But the only Cubs offense came from Fukudome, a walk and a single (on top of his 1st double). No other base runners for the Cubbies.

So, we waltz, slowly, into the 9th... Our new closer, Kerry Wood, strides up to the mound. A lot of expectations for Mr. Wood. (He’s got some heat...he was clocked during the final spring ball game over 100 mph). And he let us all down...first pitch, hit the batter. Walks Fielder (not sure if the best decision since Fielder had gone 0-2 today). Allows a single that sends in a run. So, let’s allow a right field double...yeah, that sounds good. The Cubs are down 0-3. I sat through 2 rain delays and 8 snooze-able innings to lose it in the 9th. Ugh... Wood finally gets us through the rest of the inning.

With very little hope...we stumble into the 9th. A single...really...it can happen. A walk... 2 base runners, no outs. Could it happen? Fukudome up to bat...he’s our only offensive player today...3-0 count...and this is why we like the Japanese (cars and people)...3 run home run...yes, that is why I watched 8 innings of paint drying. And by the way, this was all against Gagne (formerly of the Red Sox and the Rangers...who sucked ass in both places...yeah, the Brewers are on crack if they think he will close effectively in Milwaukee).

Now, we are in the 10th and its not looking pretty right now. The Brewers have scored one more run and are threatening again with 2 outs. The season may start 0-1. We will see (the top of the lineup is up at the bottom of the 10th)... But it felt great to see Fukudome drill it out to the center field bleachers. Baseball season has begun...