opening day

I have never been to an opening day 

    Hard to believe, right?

    I mean, I grew up 6 blocks from Wrigley.... yeet I never went to an opening day.

    And believe me.  There were plenty of tickets available when I was growing up.  The first year Leo Durocher was manager he took over a team that finished 8th in a 10 team league.  He said, "This ain't an eighth place team."  And he was right.  They finished 10th that season.

    I went to Cubs games before it became fashionable.  Games when the upper deck was closed off because not enough seats were sold.  

    Digression:  I remember the upper deck having a moving sidewalk to get there.  It was a big conveyor belt.  I remember it.  Don't I?

    I also remember when I was in college I went to a game at Wrigley in September and there were about 700 people in the park.  I sat in the bleachers and could hear the infield chatter.  It was surreal.

    I also remember playing pinball with some drunks who wore umbrellas on their heads.  They were the paddles and I was the ball, being. bounced from on to the other as we walked down the street.  

    Back in the early days you could smell the cigar smoke mixed in with the beer and hot dog aromas. 

    It was great to go to a game.  It still is.  

    The ballpark has been improved.  Better food, no smoking, most if not all of the stainless steel urinal troughs are gone, and there is more room on the concourse.

    But the main attraction is the team on the field.  I like PCA and Matt Shaw.  I think they will be stars in the future.  The rest of the team is solid, but relief pitching is always suspect.

    Anyway, opening day is when all the fun begins for the home team. And the fans.

    I just wish it was warmer.  And I was there.

Peace and Love