Opening Day 2014
The grass was cut and watered, the gloves and cleats were
broken in, and America was swept up with optimism in regard to their favorite
team for at least three hours. All of that can only mean one thing; it was
Opening Day, and as usual it did not disappoint.
It Started With a
Walkoff; And Then Another
-The first two games of the day ended in walk off fashion in
what was surely a sign of the season to come. First, the Tigers fought back
from a two run defecit against the Royals and were given the victory when Alex
Gonzalez (yes that Alex Gonzalez) drove in the tying run with a triple in the 9th
and the winning run in a game he shouldn’t have even been playing in. If it
weren’t for the injury to Jose Iglesias, Gonzalez would most likely have been
watching Opening Day from the bench in Baltimore, nowhere near Comerica Park.
Fate is one hell of a phenomenon. Congrats Alex, enjoy the moment. Following up
that walk off was one in Pittsburgh where offense gave way to either really
good pitching or really bad hitting. Maybe it was a mixture of both. In the
bottom of the 10th inning, hometown kid Neil Walker came up to bat for the
Pirates and cranked a home run to right field to give his team the Opening Day
victory. One game is no indication of a season but at least for yesterday there
was still some of that 2013 pitching magic left in PNC Park.
The Real Deal
-Jose Fernandez took the mound last night in Miami and he
was out to prove that 2013 was no fluke. Boy did he ever. In 6 innings of work
Fernandez dominated the Rockies giving up only 5 hits and striking out 9. He
also didn’t walk a single batter. The 2014 Cy Young Award could find a home in
Miami this offseason if Fernandez keeps this up. He thrives in big moments,
doesn’t back down from fear, and has the support of his Mother and his Abuela
who are at almost every game he pitches. If the Marlins can get positive
production from Casey McGeehee and Garrett Jones they will be a very dangerous
team.
Another Life Form
-In his first at bat of the season last night Mike Trout
proved that he is not human. With the leadoff runner on, King Felix threw the
pitch that Trout wanted and knew was coming and he absolutely crushed it to
left field. Trout announced in a big way that if Miguel Cabrera or anyone else
wanted the 2014 MVP Award they were going to have to be ready for a fight and
he wouldn’t be going down easy. Most guys get the big contract and slack off or
get complacent but not Trout. He will have another monster season and will play
with the heart and tenacity of a rookie trying to stick in the big leagues.
Day 1 was certainly one to remember. In addition to
everything mentioned above, Ryan Braun received a standing ovation from his
hometown crowd, Atlanta still struggled to score runs, the rest of the NL East
did not, and the Oakland A’s lost their 10th straight Opening Day game. One
game does not a season make though so don’t jump off the ledge or opposite of
that, book the trip to the World Series yet either. Buckle up, keep your arms
and legs inside the vehicle, and enjoy the ride over the next 161 games because
it will certainly provide enough memories to last a lifetime.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our
coverage of the national pastime.
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