Opening Day

by Grant Brisbee on Apr 5, 2005 9:01 AM PDT in News

My benevolent overlord, Athletics Nation, is floating the idea of a National Pastime Day. I like it. Thousands of people call in disinterested to work, and go to the games. Give us a Federal day off, the masses cry. Heck, California state employees get Cesar Chavez' birthday off. What the heck is that? The salad is delicious, but why should that be the only chef whose creation is honored? (Edit: After several angry e-mails, I realize I misinterpreted Chavez's accomplished life. My apologies.)

National Pastime Day. Heck, don't give us the day off, but give us amnesty if we're caught skipping work. Make it illegal to be terminated on the grounds of cutting work to be at opening day. The sport isn't in trouble, no matter what is being regurgitating every second year or so, but it would be a showboating call for a return to a simpler American time. Family values. Dad mussing the hair of his six-year old, saying, "Sure, you can have a program, you little scamp." If Congress can't get behind that piece of soundbite-ready fluff, then they might be forced to face real issues. Give us amnesty, take a few pictures, and enjoy the beauty of baseball.

If that doesn't work, at least give us the chance to have all the games open on the same day. This stilted schedule stuff is killing me.

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Chavez

Did the angry emails start coming in as soon as you thought of that line?

What do you need that for, Dude?

by Nick Schulte on Apr 5, 2005 9:18 AM PDT reply actions

Actually...

I don't get e-mails, so I have to make up angry ones for the sake of a bit.

by Grant Brisbee on Apr 5, 2005 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Wow

There sure are a lot of angry people out there.

What do you need that for, Dude?

by Nick Schulte on Apr 5, 2005 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

for a minute

i thought you were talking about eric chavez. where was the a's offense yesterday?
i live in new york, and my lawyer friend got two tix to see the yanks-red sox thursday. i think i'm going in neutral colors.
wish me luck dealing with those angry trolls in the right field bleachers.

by brothersky on Apr 5, 2005 10:44 AM PDT reply actions

But....

The game is that much sweeter for the effort it takes to get there. Skipping school for a game just made it seem more like I had earned it, and everything was on someone else's time. Face it, everything is more exciting when it's illegal.

And yeah, this three tiered opening day is pretty lame. I understand, at least from a marketing standpoint, higlighting the Red Sox and Yankees on Sunday, but then splitting everyone else up? For me, yesterday didn't feel special becasue my team didn't play. It's like we got OPening Day B.

And ESPN is showing Soccer right now instead of a game. Yea.

by squirrel on Apr 5, 2005 3:38 PM PDT reply actions