Baseball is a long season. It begins before the trees leaf out, and it’s not over until the leaves are falling. In between, there are cold night games in April, sweaty afternoons in July, bittersweet Septembers.
But the beginning is now, in the bare beginnings of spring.
Opening Day swells like the buds on the branches. It promises renewal and possibility. It is young as the first green leaves.
It is old as all the games of the past. It grows from last-year’s grass. All the double plays and fumbles, clutch hits and strike-outs, no-hitters and home runs in the bottom of the ninth. All the great players. Who were your heroes? Who will we cheer this year?
Once again, ballgames on the radio. Beer in the upper deck. Hot dogs and the tang of mustard, the smack of a leather glove. The green of summer grass.
Opening Day, and it’s all new. Even in the gray and rain, everything is new, again.
The white ball arches into cloudless blue. It’s a beautiful day for baseball.
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Read more ChicagoNow Opening Day stories here.
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Tags: baseball, Opening Day
And Skilling had to back off on his forecast (at the end of last week) that it was going to rain during the Sox game, while other forecasters said not until night. So, for the Sox it was perfect.
Still the question remains about the Cubs on Friday, although The SCORE meteorologist said that it will be 70 degrees inside the Captain Morgan Club, where all their staff just coming off rehab will be, so it better also be dry.
Hey Jack, thanks for stopping by. Yes, it really was great baseball weather, yesterday.
How's today for April foolery?
Love your prediction for the Cubs home opener. Whatever the weather (current forecast, 40's and a chance of rain, possibly snow?) or the score, there is sure to be much excitement and foolishness, lots of crying and beer.
Jack, don't most pitchers have that Captain Morgan kick in their wind-ups?
I don't know what weather Friday will bring but judging from the news the climate between the Ricketts' and the roof-top owners is decidedly frigid.
He apparently isn't doing so hot with the neighbors around an remote parking lot on some industrial site on Rockwell, either.
Tom may end up like Joe Btfsplk in Lil Abner, with his private cloud, which gets us back to the weather. I wonder if that would show up on Doppler radar.
Jack, I love the private cloud! Yes, one could also say that the whole area of Clark and Addison has its own microclimate, literally and figuratively.
Will it rain, or snow? The wind will be cold, but the fans won't care.
WG, love your imagery. Nice job.
AW, thank you. Such joy and hope on Opening Day!
By the way, the peonies I transplanted in October are coming up, again...
This hockey fan loves the baseball-weather imagery too... keeps me from worrying about the playoffs!
You aren't waiting for another fog game (happened in the Buffalo War Memorial when the Sabres were int he playoffs)? Again, I bring it back to the weather.
True that--hockey is also a long season--those Canadian winters! In Manitoba, it's snowing again
With that weather it's a wonder there's a man in Manitoba.
The men in Manitoba...AW, you have inspired me, again! MargaretSerious, this one's for you---
The Men in Manitoba
Oh, the men in Manitoba
keep you warm on winter nights
The men in Manitoba
sometimes get in hockey fights
Be it April or October
They will love you, drunk or sober
And I'll say it again, there are no men
like the the men in Manitoba!
Thanks very much, Weather Girl! Well done and I agree!
Love it, WG. Especially, the couplet "Be it April or October/They will love you, drunk or sober".
Thank you, AW. See what you made me do?