Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Opening Day brings optimism despite Rangers loss

By David Alvey

The Texas Rangers and optimism -- this will likely be the last time this year you see those two terms in such close proximity.

Never mind that the Rangers tanked in their home opener -- Opening Day is all about new beginnings and eternal optimism. Besides, this marvelous spectacle had little to do with baseball or significant stats. It was a day when young boys played hookey from school and grown men left the pressures of the office behind.

Opening Day is magical. You can feel the energy coursing through the air.

After the introduction of everyone from the ball girls and clubhouse personnel to every player on the roster, the festivities kicked into high gear as a giant flag was unfurled across the outfield while some Country music star sang the national anthem. (Sorry, I should have taken notes. Admittedly, I am NOT a huge Country music fan.)

An American eagle swooped out of the sky and made a few circuits around the infield before landing on his handler's glove on the pitching mound. An hour later I was wishing the eagle had hung around to pitch, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The highlight of the pre-game activities was a flyover by a B1 bomber, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.

Long-time Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel was led to the pitcher's mound by Rangers president Nolan Ryan. Nadel threw out the first pitch (high and away) which was caught by former Rangers catcher and current executive director to the president Jim Sundberg.

The Rangers had the misfortune to face the red-hot Baltimore Orioles in their first home game. Baltimore had won five straight games before coming to Arlington to embarrass our home team. By now, I'm sure you know the outcome.

Native Texan Jason Jennings started on the mound, and it wasn't long before he had the bases loaded in the first inning. He escaped without serious damage, but gave up a home run in the second and it was pretty much downhill from there.

But, remember, this story is not really about baseball. I'm not going to bash the Rangers or recount how many years I've cheered them on (since 1973 when I worked as a peanut vendor at Arlington Stadium if you must know)...only to have my hopes dashed after the nefarious All-Star break.

I left the ballpark yesterday about the same time Jennings did...at the bottom of the fourth inning with the Rangers down 0-4. But my departure had nothing to do with the play on the field. I had a prior commitment to take my sons to baseball practice.

While I revel in the memories of the Rangers' Opening Day. I enjoyed watching a bunch of scraggly young boys chase errant balls on their field of dreams even more.

Maybe one day I'll get to watch some of them at a future Opening Day.

This article was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community.

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