Yesterday was Opening Day, my second favorite day in April (the other is my birthday- April 25th and I like presents). I was so excited for all the games, and the games did not disappoint at all.
What could be the most exciting thing was Bryce Harper. He is a beast. Holy cow. I think he’s showing not only why he won the NL Rookie of the Year, but that the sophomore slump isn’t going to get him, and I hope it doesn’t. In his first two at bats, he had two hits, both of which were home runs. I was excited to see what he would do this season, and now I’m even more excited. If he keeps hitting well, and Stephen Strasburg stays healthy, the Nationals are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Something funny that happened in Pittsburgh, A.J. Burnett, the starting pitcher for the Pirates when he went to use the rosin bag. It exploded. The powder went everywhere, and it was awesome. Was it a genius April Fool’s joke or defective? I really hope it was an April Fool’s joke and high-five to the master minds. I hate Burnett. He made a few unnecessary comments about Dallas Braden after the whole A-Rod mound incident. So ha ha!
Speaking of pitchers, Clayton Kershaw was outstanding yesterday for the Dodgers. Clearly, they made the right choice in making him their number one starter and he should be getting a nice contract before next season. Kershaw pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only 4 hits and even hit a home run in the game. I love seeing the pitchers hit the long ball, and I really love when the starts can throw a complete game. Mad props to Kershaw. That’s right, I said mad props.
Now, to the most important game, in my eyes at least, the Oakland Athletics! Last night was only my second Opening Night, and sadly, I’m 0-2 in Opening Nights. The A’s unveiled their American League West Division Champions “banner” on the left field wall, which was amazing and such a beauty. That just might be the best division championship in team history.
2012 AL West Division Champions
It was great to see the boys back in action, and a little emotional. The last actual game (I’m not counting the exhibition game on Saturday) I was at there was Game 5 of the ALDS when the A’s were eliminated from the post season by the Detroit Tigers. They played the video that they had at FanFest and I got all choked up again. Last season was so unbelievable and I’m still sad that it ended the way it did. I cried a few times, and still get tears in my eyes thinking about last season. This season has a lot to live up to, just saying.
I was hoping that this would be the year that the A’s ended their Opening Day losing streak, which was at 8 years, but facing the King, Felix Hernandez, I knew it would be a battle. Hernandez was very Hernandez. Ten batters were retired before John Jason, who caught King Felix’s perfect game last season, ripped a double to break up the no-hitter. A’s starting pitcher, Brett Anderson- who was nothing short of amazing in his game 3 start in the ALDS, started the game on fire. The first four batters he faced all struck out. Not a bad way to start the game. The Mariners were able to string some hits together in the 5th inning while Anderson had some location issues to plate two runs, the only runs in the game. The closest the A’s got to scoring was in the 7th inning when they had the bases loaded with two outs, but Derek Norris bounced out to the second baseman to end the inning. Sure it would have been great to see the A’s get a win, but you can’t win them all, and they were looking good in the field. Seriously, did you see that play by Eric Sogard? Number one web gem!
After the game I got to meet Ben (@Shakabrodie) who was in the MLB Fancave last year as well as MLB 2013 Top 52 Vanessa (@vdemske) and Tommy (@RealTomBentley). Some of the nicest people ever. If you saw the game, or highlights, you more than likely saw them. Ben and Tommy were the guy with the beard and the guy with the King Felix crown.
Hope you all had as good of an Opening Day as I did, and are enjoying the rest of Opening Day today. So happy baseball is finally back!
Opening Night 2013: Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics
Brett Anderson ready to throw the first pitch of the 2013 season
Felix Hernandez’s first pitch to Coco Crisp
Josh Donaldson! One of my fave A’s players
John Jaso at second with the first hit of the night
Went to take a picture, and before I could snap it, I knew he was going to steal. Hence the running blurred shot
Felix Hernandez night comes to an end
Bernie Cam! Can you Bernie Lean?
Out of Left Field 
Yes yes yes!! Our home opener isn’t til next Monday (Seattle M’s….no laughing allowed we do have King Felix!) and I am dyinnnnnngggg to get there. It’s a three hour drive but totally worth it!
Totally worth it!
Hey man, liking what I’m reading here. I definitely had to LOL on the rosin bag incident with Burnett. Looks like you’ve got better seats to the A’s than I’ve got to the Dodgers (ah, but some day maybe I’ll move up in the world and move closer in to home plate…) Anyway, thanks for stopping by my site. Thought I would return the favor. I’m still getting the hang of this WordPress thing, been years since I did any sort of blogging.
Here’s to a great 2013 season!
-Eric
My grandfather has been a season ticket holder for 30+ year so slowly we’ve gotten better seats. I can’t wait to go to Dodgers Stadium later this month! I’ve got a feeling that this season is going be to pretty amazing
Hmmm….or is it hey WOMAN? LOL! I really need to look at avatars before I speak. This is how you can tell I haven’t done the blogging thing in about a million years.
When will you be at Dodger Stadium?
Cespedes is an absolute beast. I have a minor mancrush on the guy. I’m hoping Yasiel Puig does the same thing for us as Cespedes has been doing for the A’s.
Anyway, keep the blogs coming!
-Eric
Haha….it’s fine!
I will be down there for the game on April 27. My friend is a HUGE Dodgers fan and wants the giveaway that night, so making it happen for him.
OMG! Cespedes is a major beast. It’s totally acceptable to have a mancrush on the guy, he’s that cool.