Opening Day!

by Lou Parrotta

As I write this column, I have just returned from Yankees Stadium in the Bronx, New York. I was one of 55,000-plus fans who were lucky enough to get to experience a New York Yankees home opener. It was nothing short of exhilarating.

The defending American League Champion New York Yankees were playing host to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, whose home stadium is located in the same place the Yankees train in the spring. Present for the opening ceremonies were 2002 United States Olympians, who were recognized for their accomplishments in Salt Lake City, and world renowned opera singer Robert Merrill, who wowed the crowd with a wonderful rendition of God Bless America. Throwing out the first pitch was Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was accorded the opportunity despite being a self-described Mets fan.

As per tradition in Major League baseball, the team who won the pennant the previous year utilizes their home opener to raise the championship flag over their stadium. For the Yankees, this has become a near-yearly tradition. Over the course of their 100 year existence, a milestone they celebrate this season, the Yankees have won the pennant an amazing 38 times. Two of their legendary icons, Hall of Famers Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto, joined former New York City Mayor and American hero, Rudy Giuliani, in raising the 2001 flag in left field. It was truly a wonderful site to see.

The game itself was great ­ especially if you are a Yankees fan. The final score was 4-0, with starter Andy Pettitte going six-plus innings and giving up only two hits. The Yankees looked like the championship team they were in 2001 and every Yankees fan in the world should be happy.

There were some sad moments, though. First off, the Yankees were without mainstays Paul O'Neill and Luis Sojo, who retired at the conclusion of 2001, and Tino Martinez and Chuck Knoblauch, who were let go via free agency. There was also the announcement that this would be pitching Coach Mel Stottlemyre's last season as he continuously fights the cancer that he developed in spring training last season.

Spring Training provided some wonderful moments. It also provided some tense ones, including the health of newcomer Rondell White, pitcher Orlando Hernandez, returning star David Wells, catcher Jorge Posada, and star Derek Jeter, as well as the controversy surrounding free agent signee Ruben Rivera, who was released after admitting to stealing memorabilia from Jeter's locker.

Despite all of that, though, the familiar sounds of the ballpark were evident. From the very beginning, with President George W. Bush addressing the crowd and saying "Play ball," to the cries of the vendors yelling "Peanuts! Cracker jacks! Beer Here! Cotton Candy! Soda!" baseball returned despite the cool temperatures and overcast skies. It was a terrific moment that I am glad I was able to experience.