When you hit a certain age, like I have, the Christmas season and birthdays do not have the same excitement as they might have at one point in time. However, no matter how many years pass and how many things change around me, the one constant for as long as I can remember is the feeling I get on the first day of the baseball season.
Is it the longing for the past? I don't think so. But what is it? Why is one day so much more special than the others?
Following the Chicago Cubs for years upon years, Opening Day meant there was hope for the upcoming season...but by June that hope was usually dashed. There were a few special summers sprinkled in that have been etched in all of our memories. For me the summers of 1984, 2003 and 2008, regardless of final outcomes, will always mean more to me than others.
Baseball is different from all of the other sports. It takes dedication to follow a team day in and day out for six months and not just one day a week. Baseball is the game we played as a child that was taught to us by our fathers in a yard that is much smaller now than it was years ago.
Every first pitch of every game offers an excitement and an anticipation of thinking something special could happen on that day. As Pat Hughes told me, "We might see a no hitter. We might see a guy hit four homers. We might see a perfect game. We might see a triple play. You never know what you are going to see."
"Baseball is a religion rather than a sport."
Baseball is Our National Pastime...and today is Our National Holiday.
Happy Opening Day!
As I'm currently in Scotland waiting for the Cubs radio broadcast to stream live over the internet, I figured I'd try to stifle my boredom by throwing out a lineup projection. This last day is almost has rough as the entire winter!
Starting lineup for your 2009 Chicago Cubs (projection)
Soriano LF
Fukudome CF
Lee 1B
Bradley RF
Ramirez 3B
Fontenot 2B
Soto C
Theriot SS
Zambrano P
I know it seems too easy to predict and almost a worthless exercise, but I'm running out of baseball-related material to read online. Hopefully, at 2:30 in the morning here, I'll be singing "Go Cubs Go...."
Can't wait!
Mike, you are right on with the Opening Day lineup. Exactly what Bruce Miles reported last night.
Couldn't have said it better myself. It is an important day. For example, the last few years it has been something that I have taken off work early for. I don't even do that for my own birthday. I work on Columbus day, but not on Opening Day. Yes Neil, it is a holiday indeed! GO CUBS!!!!!!!
Neil:
A very poignant article for all of us who love the game.
It is finally here!!
Neil...sweet and right on target! Sata is here. To some degree, the feeling can also be compared to the first day of school after a loooong summer. Not that, as a kid, I wanted the classes to start but hanging out at school was so cool for me. I'm just looking forward here in doing what we did in High School Senior year...To have a blast with my CCO pals, to graduate from the regular season with good marks and to finally have that ring ceremony we've been waiting for.
PLAY BALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!WOOOOOOOHUUU!!!
i meant Santa C.
Neil, I've said it before, but thank you for hosting this site and everything you do for the Cubs fans who frequent here from around the world. People in Louisiana (unless you're talking about LSU baseball) seem to have forgotten that the sport exists, and it's difficult for me to find someone to talk ball with (much less Cubbie ball!). So...thanks.
Lagniappe--the guy who plays LF for my softball team does the little Soriano hop every time he catches the ball...I've asked him WHY??, but he doesn't know. I was hoping for some insight
Ever since I was laid up for the summer in 1969 I have been a Cub fan.
Opening day has ALWAYS been a day of hopes and dreams.
It's good to break out the Cubs jersey at work again.
Go Cubs!
Thanks again, Neil, for your efforts with this wonderful website.
Now, lets get down to business here.....
Im looking forward to a sucessful year here. Lets make it happen, Cubbies!
I'm going to miss opening night tonight because I will be at a basketball game.
GO GREEN!!!!!
Don't forget the summer of 89! The Boys of Zimmer made it a fun summer!!