Spring is in the air with the smell of fresh cut grass, popcorn, peanuts and beer and that means only one thing…let’s play ball! It’s opening day around the majors and we are poised for another 162 games of America’s pastime and a new season of rivalry. The Yankees, coming off another disappointing season, are boasting the most dominant lineup from 1-9 in the Majors as they opened at home with a day game feature against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The anticipation of the famed roll call and expectations of baseball immortality buzzed the air but nothing highlighted the day more than seeing Cory Lidle’s wife and son throwing out the first pitch as well as the emergence of Bobby Murcer from the announcers booth.

Carl Pavano took the mound for the first time since June 27, 2005 in his first opening day start and appeared ready to silence the critics and get his career back on track. The Devil Rays however, had a different idea in mind, taking advantage of three Yankee errors and utilizing their great speed on the base pads. Pavano surrendered 5 runs, 4 earned, before turning the ball over to a strong bullpen that shut down the Devil Rays young lineup. In the end, the Yankees lineup did what it does best, score runs, and New York extended their Major League record 9th consecutive opening day win to double digits.

But what storyline would be complete without mention of the controversy surrounding Alex Rodriguez. A standing ovation to open the game followed by boos on a botched pop-up eventually led to a curtain call by game’s end after his two run bomb to center field. “It changed so much in five at-bats, like the stock market,” Rodriguez said. I guess the headcase is in for a rollercoaster season in what may be his last in pinstripes.

A win plus a loss from the Red Sox leaves the Yankees comfortably atop the AL East, only 172 more wins to go for 27 in 2007!

(5 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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