On Opening Day 2013

I'm getting ready for Opening Day 2013 at Dodger Stadium. Actually, I've been waiting for this day for a while now, having largely checked out of baseball somewhere during those low-rated "playoffs" that ran after the regular season last year. The lack of baseball has been a void in my life that I've had to fill with other vices, none of which (for me) packs the sports buzz of baseball. So I'm bouncing off the walls right now.

This year is especially exciting for us Dodger fans. The Dodgers, as you may have heard in passing somewhere, have increased their payroll a tad in order to atone to the baseball gods for prior management's virtual embezzlement and moral corruption stock the lineup with some more sock at the plate and a couple of more arms from the mound. Dodger Stadium, the crown jewel of the west coast, has undergone a significant facelift in the offseason to provide a more fan-friendly experience, including new vendors and widened concourses, new signature landmarks, and new scoreboards. And today's game pits the Dodgers against our hated rivals from the north.

The Dodgers have won their last two Opening Days (and four of their last five Opening Days), and also have won their home openers in each of the last five seasons. That's good. However, I still remember the pain of being at Opening Day 2002, when the steroid-fueled Barry Bonds went 3-for-4 with 5 RBI and 2 HR and smoked the crap out of Kevin Brown and the Dodgers. The Giants may have parted ways with their most obvious steroid user from last year's run (Melky Cabrera), but I'm sure there's more Giant dopers readying their syringes as we speak. So I'm mentally prepared for the worst.

That said, Opening Day is just so magical, it's incredible to be there. By the time this posts, I'll probably be finishing up some last items before heading out to Chavez Ravine to be there when the gates open. I should have a beer in hand soon after that. Glad to not be at work today!

I'm stoked to see Clayton Kershaw deal again. I'm excited to see Carl Crawford in a Dodgers uniform for the first time. I'm hopeful and optimistic that Luis Cruz can keep his hot streak from 2012 rolling; that Matt Kemp returns to the form I know he's got both offensively and defensively; that Adrian Gonzalez feels more comfortable now that he's settled into Dodger Blue.

It's showtime.

SoSG Orel has told me that the new wifi won't be operational until the second homestand, but I'll try and post from the game. SoSG AC will be with me and I'm sure we'll see SoSG Dusty Baker at the ballpark. If any of you readers are attending, drop a line either here or in the GameThread. We'd love to say hi and take in the glory of Opening Day with you...or at least share a celebratory beer and toast the Dodgers.