Opening Day

I figured out that yesterday was my 24th consecutive Major League Opening Day. 1982 - 2003 at Fenway Park, and this year and last at Coors Field.

I didn't see the first game in 2003 -- as soon as they wrapped up the pre-game ceremonies, it started to pour, and they called the game. It was rescheduled for 1pm the following day, a Saturday. There was already a 6pm game scheduled that day. For some reason (let me guess: M-O-N-E-Y), the customary off-day after Opening Day to accommodate just these circumstances, wasn't scheduled that year.

I had to work that Saturday, but I told them I wasn't going to miss the game. I left work as late as I thought I could and still make the game. I ran across Harvard Square, caught a bus, sat down, and turned on the pregame radio show on my headphones. Before the bus made it around Harvard Yard, the radio said the game was postponed again, this time rescheduled as the first game of a DH on August 8th. I got off the bus, walked back across Harvard Square, and went back to work. I didn't have a ticket for the 6pm sold out game, so I missed the first game of the season. It was the only time that happened in the entire 21+ years I lived in Boston. At least I got to see Ray Charles sing "America The Beautiful" during the rained out pregame.

©2005 Douglas T. Dinsmoor