For Those About to Ball....WE SALUTE YOU!!!!
Can you feel it, fans? Well, besides for my paraphrasing of an AC/DC song? Because, IT'S TIME!!!! Opening Day is finally upon us. Okay, for some it was yesterday. But for most, it's TODAY!
After waiting nearly 2 months since the end of the Super Bowl that still causes me nightmares, baseball season is back! And the feelings across the country are echoing that of excitement and celebration. Some have even gone so far as to try and petition to make today a national holiday. I'm sure many will be trying to play hooky from work or school today.
Unfortunately, not me. My boss knows so much about my blogging and writings, I would be caught instantly. Sort of a reverse Ferris Bueller, if you will. One day, however, I will make it a point to take off on the first Monday in April. I may even be fortunate enough to attend an Opening Day game at some point in my life.
For now, I join all of you fans in welcoming OUR most wonderful time of the year. That's right, take a seat, Christmas! No really, that is still an awesome holiday. But today belongs to baseball. A sport that happens during the warm and happy months of the year. In fact, whenever baseball season is not happening, the weather tends to be worse for the wear.
Just look how I'm celebrating....
All 30 teams will start their quest for World Series glory. That includes the Houston Astros. Already, they are the early favorite to take the AL West division, and make an extensive post season run. Just yesterday, the team released it's official Opening Day roster that has been tweeted out many times.
Lance McCullers, Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers round out the rest of the starting rotation of pitchers. Collin McHugh will begin the season on the disabled list, but will be attending the festivities and should be on a very quick mend, as strong as he is. Ken Giles, Luke Gregerson, and Will Harris are among the most notables coming out of the bullpen. Jandel Gustave, who beat out James Hoyt for the last roster spot, will be apart of his first Opening Day.
The lineup is still up in the air, but no surprises, the "Core Four" of George Springer, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa look to be at the top of the order. Veteran outfielder, Carlos Beltran will be right behind them. Yulieski Gurriel, Josh Reddick and Nori Aoki look to figure somewhere in the bottom third.
That leaves my favorite part of the roster, the catchers! Also no surprises, the dynamic duo of Bear Squared in Brian McCann and, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. Should El Oso Blanco be fortunate enough to make the Opening Day lineup, still praying for that one big guy upstairs FYI, he will serve as team DH while Beltran starts out in left field. I personally feel he has earned this from Skipper A.J. Hinch, but we'll see what happens.
In this first series of 4 games against the Mariners, the pitching and offense have to be in sync. It is extremely crucial to make an early statement. I feel assured that this can take place. We have the players to do it, and I, like the rest of the fan base, believe in every last one of them to get the job done to bring home that world title. The time has come to "lift off," for lack of a better phrase.
GO GET EM, SPACEMEN!!!!
After waiting nearly 2 months since the end of the Super Bowl that still causes me nightmares, baseball season is back! And the feelings across the country are echoing that of excitement and celebration. Some have even gone so far as to try and petition to make today a national holiday. I'm sure many will be trying to play hooky from work or school today.
Unfortunately, not me. My boss knows so much about my blogging and writings, I would be caught instantly. Sort of a reverse Ferris Bueller, if you will. One day, however, I will make it a point to take off on the first Monday in April. I may even be fortunate enough to attend an Opening Day game at some point in my life.
For now, I join all of you fans in welcoming OUR most wonderful time of the year. That's right, take a seat, Christmas! No really, that is still an awesome holiday. But today belongs to baseball. A sport that happens during the warm and happy months of the year. In fact, whenever baseball season is not happening, the weather tends to be worse for the wear.
Just look how I'm celebrating....
My baseball themed lunch courtesy of @7eleven Happy #OpeningDay #Astros fans! 😉😎💯💪⚾ pic.twitter.com/FUDr8H3M3B— James I Zeankowski (@tvwizard85) April 3, 2017
Moods also make big shifts during this time of year. The still reigning pastime of America brings so many smiles to the faces of kids and adults alike. No matter the age, baseball is still a sport to rule them all. Besides, I've yet to see there really be such a thing as trading football or basketball cards. I mean that, of course, as no disrespect to any other sports or leagues.And of course, repping my Evan Gattis (@BulldogBeing) shirt and navy and orange today! #OpeningDay #Astros #BeattheMariners 😎💯💪⚾ pic.twitter.com/1hFdtWddKz— James I Zeankowski (@tvwizard85) April 3, 2017
All 30 teams will start their quest for World Series glory. That includes the Houston Astros. Already, they are the early favorite to take the AL West division, and make an extensive post season run. Just yesterday, the team released it's official Opening Day roster that has been tweeted out many times.
Dallas Keuchel will take the mound for the spacemen, in a duel with Seattle Mariners' ace, Felix Hernandez. I like KidKeuchy's chances, as he is looking to have another bounce back season and return to Cy Young 2015 form. I have every bit of confidence that this is going to happen.#Astros set opening day roster. pic.twitter.com/O6lS0lNGxU— Adam Wexler (@awexlerKPRC) April 2, 2017
Lance McCullers, Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers round out the rest of the starting rotation of pitchers. Collin McHugh will begin the season on the disabled list, but will be attending the festivities and should be on a very quick mend, as strong as he is. Ken Giles, Luke Gregerson, and Will Harris are among the most notables coming out of the bullpen. Jandel Gustave, who beat out James Hoyt for the last roster spot, will be apart of his first Opening Day.
The lineup is still up in the air, but no surprises, the "Core Four" of George Springer, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa look to be at the top of the order. Veteran outfielder, Carlos Beltran will be right behind them. Yulieski Gurriel, Josh Reddick and Nori Aoki look to figure somewhere in the bottom third.
That leaves my favorite part of the roster, the catchers! Also no surprises, the dynamic duo of Bear Squared in Brian McCann and, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. Should El Oso Blanco be fortunate enough to make the Opening Day lineup, still praying for that one big guy upstairs FYI, he will serve as team DH while Beltran starts out in left field. I personally feel he has earned this from Skipper A.J. Hinch, but we'll see what happens.
In this first series of 4 games against the Mariners, the pitching and offense have to be in sync. It is extremely crucial to make an early statement. I feel assured that this can take place. We have the players to do it, and I, like the rest of the fan base, believe in every last one of them to get the job done to bring home that world title. The time has come to "lift off," for lack of a better phrase.
GO GET EM, SPACEMEN!!!!
Original Photo Credits (Multiple): Alyson Footer and Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Doug Murray of Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, and Jasen Vinlove of USA Today Sports
All Systems Are Now Officially a GO!!!!
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