opening day

"There are Opening Day pitchers and pitchers who start on Opening Day."--Roger Lee Craig, New York Mets pitcher (1962-1963) and San Francisco Giants Manager (1986-1992)

Yesterday, Roy Oswalt, Curt Schilling, and Tom Glavine all proved they belong to the former category, as their stellar performances lifted their respective teams--and my three favorite teams!--to Opening Day wins. My boy Roy, in particular, deserves a shout out for his eight-inning shut out of the Florida Marlins. Take that, Dontrelle and your 2005 Cy Young award speculation! There's a new sheriff in town, and he drives a tractor.

So it was Astros 1, Marlins 0; Red Sox 7, Rangers 5; and Mets 3, Nationals 2. And while most of us had to work yesterday, some lucky few were actually able to attend opening day, my parents included. While for reasons unknown they missed much of the excitement at Minute Maid--including the unveiling of the NL pennant, the standing ovation for the unfortunately-seemingly-permanently injured Bagwell, and the throwing of the first pitch by Nolan Ryan--they did sit alarmingly close to the field (between the "N" in "Houston" and the "A" in "Astros" in the lettering on the top of the dugout, according to my father), and so I offer these pictures of Morgan "Moishe" Ensberg, the once and future honorary Jew--who also shares my birthday--from my mom's camera. It's not an autographed baseball, but I'll take it!



In other Opening Day news, Kevin Millar wore an Orioles uniform and didn't play first base, although I am sure he is still running as slo-o-o-o-o-ow as molasses. And unfortunately &%$#*@ A-Rod began to atone for last year's playoff debacle with a grand slam, leading the MFY to a 15-2 victory over Oakland. Plus, Roger "The Rocket" "Benedict Arnold" Clemens was at it again, schmoozing the Sox in Arlington in yet another mercenary tour de force. Roger, you're making it really hard to defend you to dogooderlawyer. Throw me a frickin' bone here! Just sit tight and wait for May 1, for the love of G-d!

The most memorable moment of Opening Day, however, was Mike Piazza, former Met and greatest offensive catcher in the game right now, hitting a home run in his first at-bat for the San Diego Padres. You can bet the Mets brass heard that one all the way at Shea Stadium! Go, Mikey!

I love for this (TM meggiefreshh)!