Throw out all the spring training records they don’t mean a thing. Bartolo Colon threw the first opening day shut out for a Cleveland pitcher since Sonny Siebert tossed one in 1968. The Angels lived in the rarified air of Arizona all March and joined in the Cactus League hit parade on a daily basis. Sunday night, all goose eggs for the halos vs. the rejuvenated Colon.How did you like the new Anaheim uniforms? I did, they reminded me of the Indian garb of the late 60’s (I thought of Luis Tiant when I first saw them) or maybe the 56 Redlegs with Johnny Temple and Big Klu (one of the nicest guys in the game).

Starting on opening day is an honor for any pitcher and should signify the go to guy for the team. Does that theory hold up?

Roger Clemens begins his push for 300 wins, so he gets the ball, plus he’s a hall of famer. The Orioles Scott Erickson has fought back from a serious arm injury, the O’s give him the honor of game one as a reward. Nice gesture.

Kevin Jarvis, San Diego versus Randy Johnson. Randy needs no explanation, but Jarvis may be the most experienced of the young Padre staff, scary, but true.

Jon Leiber, 20 game winner takes the heat off Kerry Wood. Now Wood can sneak in, in game two without the fanfare and maybe not try to strike out 27 in his first start.The Reds Joey Hamilton pitches on sheer nerve since his arm is barely moving. He too, is coming back from a serious rehab, what is this, sentimentality in baseball?

Mark Mulder, 20 game winner, Mr.Cool goes against the 65 million dollar man, Chan Ho Park. Perfect match up. Chan Ho has an ERA resembling a Coors Field pitcher in games away from Dodger Stadium. Now he banks in Texas, he better pitch well on the road because as far as he is concerned they are all on the road this year.

Brad Radke trys to be the man to lead the Twins to the top. Frankly, I like Eric Milton a lot more, although Radke was lights out to start the season last year. Jeff Suppan is simply the best pitcher on the Royals.

Robert Person, Phils, is the most experienced pitcher on the staff. He really had some nice games up until the final ten days of the year when the Phillies needed him most. Greg Maddux, this game will be over in two hours thirty minutes including the National Anthem.

Mark Buerhle versus Freddy Garcia, a classic battle of number one guys. Everyone will try lefties against Seattle again. Buerhle pitched a gem against the Mariners last year in Comiskey early in the year, but got a no decision.

All eyes are on Pedro in Boston plus a few 700 million dollar owners. If the meal ticket isn’t the old Pedro, people will be very nervous. Toronto’s Chris Carpenter is capable of stealing the show. Bull pens will decide this one.

Mike Hampton goes against Matt Morris. Three years ago, Hampton would be the favorite. Now he fights to retain his number one slot on the Rockies against the Cards best pitcher.

Ron Villone. Pitt, I can’t tell you why other than the fact the next choice would have been Kip Wells. Al Leiter for the Mets wants the ball and I am happy to see him get the honor. He is one mean pitcher. He could pitch in any era.

That’s opening day. Not a bad match up in the bunch.

I always say following the baseball season on a daily basis is like getting a great book and each day you get to read another chapter. You don’t know how it will end, but it will be one helluva story.

Enjoy it.