The crack of the bat, the popping of the mitts and the roar of the crowd: It’s all coming back this week. Major League Baseball opens the upcoming 2006 season this week, but not without some streaks ready to be broken and some controversies along the way. Barry Bonds has received a lot of attention due to the ongoing steroid scandal, but there are also tons of other positive things to look forward to this season. One of the most historical records in sports history has a chance to be broken this season: 56. Of course, that’s the amount of games Joe DiMaggio hit safely in way back in 1941. This is the record they said could never be broken. But as every fan knows, every record is made to be broken. This year, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop, Jimmy Rollins, is carrying a 36-game hitting streak into the season. Rollins, a career .273 hitter, only has another 20 games to go to tie the record.
This is just one reason to look forward to the season. Every year, baseball fans across the globe look forward to opening day. Every team is in first place and has as much a shot as the next team. No weaknesses have been exposed and its just pure excitement. There is the chance too see your team’s ace go head-to-head with the opponents’. Where else can you see Curt Schilling face off against Randy Johnson or Mark Prior going head-to-head against Albert Pujols.
Nothing beats heading to the ballpark on opening day with some family or friends and feeling the rush of the full crowd at the stadium. This is the only time of the baseball season where every stadium will be packed to capacity.
Nowadays, most baseball fans engage in some sort of fantasy baseball or rotisserie league. In fantasy sports, you pick a roster full of players to fill out your team and results on the field determine how well your team does. Nothing tops opening day for these people because it kicks off the start of another season full of excitement, camaraderie with friends, and possibly a big payday.
Baseball is America’s pastime and has survived scandals from throwing the World Series, betting on the game, work stoppages from the players and now steroids. Every opening day reminds adults of their childhood with their fathers at the park and just rekindles every wonderful memory at the park, whether it’s the good old days at Veterans Stadium, Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.
CRACK! POP! CHEER! It’s all back. Get ready to cheer for your favorite team as Major League Baseball returns this week.