The Phillies did nothing to help my fantasy team last night. I have four Phils on my roster and all four of them played, and half of them (and unfortunately it was the half that played the most innings) stunk the place up. Really, Brett Myers? Three home runs in the first two innings? I understand that you're excited to pitch the season opener (especially after Cole Hamels was crowned King of Philadelphia), but haven't you done this before? Three years running now? Yeah. That's what I thought. I'll expect much better of you in five days.
They said it about the Cardinals in 2007. Many more games like last night and they'll be saying it about the Phillies, too. Hung-over.
I am very excited about the game today (knock on wood), though. It'll be fun to see how the rookies respond to the pressure and excitement. It'll also be fun to see how the seasoned players respond to it. So here's to a great year for everyone, and lots of memorable, well-played baseball. If I haven't said it before, I love this game.
Oh, and I'll leave you with an excerpt from my new book entitled "Remember that Cardinals Opening Day in 2009? Man, that was the best game ever."
Chapter One
Stacked with youth and optimism, the 2009 St Louis Cardinals went into the season ready to prove that they were competitors. The new season held endless possibilites and hope, and the team was ready to take advantage of every opportunity given them.
Opening Day was celebrated with the usual pomp and circumstance, ceremonies, and excitement. On this particular April day, though, there was a different feeling in the air. Maybe it was the snow that had been falling all morning. Maybe it was the All-Star Game looming on the horizon. Or maybe it was a sign of things to come.
Everyone at the stadium that day, from spectators to players, remembers the feeling.
"It was electric. Yeah, like the air was electrified," said Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals starting pitcher that day. "When I first walked onto the field, well, I could just tell that good things were going to happen."
