Opening Day
Now we finally can get to the real opening day. When the first pitch is thrown in Cincinnati this morning, I will feel that this baseball season is truly underway.
Growing up, I fondly remember old Crosley Field in Cincy and the ropes they used to put up in the outfield on opening day because the overflow crowd was allowed to sit on the “goat hill”, which the terraced hill in the outfield was called.
Reds outfielder Jim Greengrass hit four doubles on opening day in 1955 or so, at least two into the crowd on the hill.
Cincy always was the scene of the first pitch, that is until the comissioner decided that it was a good idea to start the season on Sunday night or in another country.
Anyway, when Cory Lidle, yes that Cory Lidle, throws his first pitch to the Cubs at 11:00 AM Pacific time, this marathon is underway.
So, what did you think of the Red Sox and Pedro last night?
Click below for more!The old days of Pedro coming in and blowing 95 MPH fastballs under your chin are gone forever.
He rarely hit 91 last night, but still is a very good pitcher with an exceptional change up. Problems begin when he lays an 88 MPH pitch over the plate in a key situation, it gets hit and can cost him big time.
He is a six inning pitcher, no more and maybe less at times. The Red Sox bullpen will play a big part in determining if he wins 15 games or more.
In any case, he might as well enjoy his 17 million dollar contract this season because he won’t see half that amount on a per year basis next season unless the Yankees simply want to drive New England crazy by overpaying for his services.
The A’s will miss Miguel Tejada’s defense more than anything this season. What a pleasure watching him play shortstop last night.
Sidney Ponson battled all night. If he could just come up with an effective off speed pitch he could be some pitcher. As it is now, he has to be perfect with his sinking fastball and cutter.
Gabe Kapler looks like he lost about 25 pounds. Must have cut out WhataBurgers like Jason Giambi did.
Kapler messed Johnny Damon up on a fly ball that should have been caught off the bat off Javy Lopez in the seventh inning which broke the game open for the Orioles.
Pokey Reese can pick it at short for Boston, he can’t hit a lick unfortunately.
Boston misses Nomar and Trot Nixon right now big time.
Manny Ramirez looked great at the plate last night. Sidney Ponson couldn’t get him out when it mattered. Luckily, he held Ramirez to a couple of singles instead of letting him go deep.
If the Orioles can get any pitching, they can play .500 this year.
Mark McLemore is now the answer to the question who will play second for the A’s this season. Unfortunately, he is recovering from knee surgery and won’t be available for a month. At 39 years old, what will he have left anyway? I would have looked at Rey Ordonez first since he is out of a job right now after bolting on the Padres.
The Mets got a bad break when Jose Reyes went on the DL Sunday. Muscle pulls are ruining the start of what should be a fine major league career for Reyes.
I hope Kaz Matsui can hit NL pitching. He sure didn’t look comfortable in spring training.
Ray Durham hurt again, Edgardo Alfonzo limping as well. Not the way the Giants need to start the season.
One thing about the Giants spring training record. SF rarely uses its regulars in the same spring game. Sure would be nice to see them all on the field at the same time tonight, if possible.
Don’t get into a late inning game with Texas. It is the one area of the team that can give you trouble. Francisco Cordero can bring it and they have some other arms too.
Chan Ho Park and Mark Mulder Tuesday night. Two question marks heading into this season.
Alfonso Soriano is something like 2-28 lifetime against Tim Hudson. Let’s see what he does tonight.
The Padres and the Dodgers today in LA. Milton Bradley forces Shawn Green back to first base. Not what Green had in mind.
All right now we can concentrate on the day to day story that will carry us through the next six months.
It sure felt good waking up today.
0 comments
watched a litle of the o’s-sox last night. The o’s have
really improved with tejada and javy lopez. Their pitching is suspect, The Red Sox will falter if martinez
is starting to lose it. Remember,it was cold last night
in baltimore and that may be a factor Pedro,however,has broken down in the past and may not want to cut loose until the weather warms up.
This is just speculation on my part and not fact. The realization that pedro is on the downside will be most
disturbing to the red sox nation and with all the free agents to be on the team this might be their last chance to win it all for a long time.
Jerry F
Here’s an e-mail I received this morning from a fan,
My quick thoughts on the season–
I was concerned before Spring Training with Crosby, Harden, Dye and Rhodes.
I remain very concerned about Rhodes and you may be correct that Harden may
become a closer. He has a hard time second time through. I do not belive
that Rhodes will be our closer for very long.
Karros will win the first base job because of his glove and bat.
If Kotsay stays healthy, he could be our best leadoff man and centerfielder
for years. I was at the 14 pitch leadoff walk game against Colon on March 6.
Looks like Chavez will have a monster year if Dye and others hit around him.
Kielty or Byrnes in left? Why?
It was really enjoyable to watch Tejada play last night. His defense is outstanding. It really takes a trained eye and experience with the game to see to a large degree. Many A’s fans did not appreciate him enough and think Crosby will immediately fill his place defensively. They shouldn’t be suprised if the A’s pitchers have highere ERAs this season though.
Kielty has a meek swing from the leftside of the plate. Given there aren’t many lefthanded pitchers in the league, I don’t think Kielty is going to be that helpful offensively. Beane should have made a harder push for Bradley.
I think Rhodes will be fine as a closer. He will blow a handful and keep A’s fans at the edge of their seats a good amount, but the adrenaline will kick in tonight for him and give him that something extra. I’m more concerned about him lasting throughout the season. The A’s offense, I think, will suprise some people this season.
-Mike E.
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