Opening Night and Opening Day

Question of the Day: Which teams did you have in your Final Four?

Today is the day. Today is the day that me and millions of other fans have been waiting for since Angel Pagan caught the final out of the World Series. The San Francisco Giants swept the Detroit Tigers 4 games to none and I couldn't wait for baseball to start again. Off season began, free agents went to new teams and trades took over the headlines.

The biggest news of the off season included; Josh Hamilton was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Zack Grienke was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Atlanta Braves traded away prospects and utility man, Martin Prado for superstar outfielder Justin Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson. And just recently two record contract extensions were signed by pitcher Justin Verlander of the Tigers and Giants catcher Buster Posey.

The off season, at points was just as exciting as the regular season and post season but the atmosphere around a new season about to start is indescribable to me. The buzz of a new start from fans, and the predictions of how players old and new will perform fill the air. Opening night will be kicked off with a match up with a former power house in the Texas Rangers taking on the newest team in the American League, the Houston Astros. The Astros joined the American League West  this season, becoming the new cross state rivals of the Rangers. Although the rivalry will seem to always end in a Ranger win, the games will sure to bring out the passion of the two teams as well as an increase in the attendance numbers.

The great thing about Opening Night in baseball is that, the very next day is Opening Day where every other team plays their first games of the season. The best thing about them is that the teams start off playing their rivals. The Braves will play the Phillies, the Giants play the Dodgers, and no Opening Day will be complete without the New York Yankees taking on  the Boston Red Sox.

Both Opening Night and Opening Day have a charged buzz around them like no other sport in America. The original pastime being played for the first time since October, and after long wait fans will be able to sit in their sits seats with their families and enjoy the game that helped shape this country in its time of darkness. I missed baseball so much. More this year than any other. I don't know why but I know that my mind will be fixated on the game that I love until the final out is taken in the World Series in October.

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