Let The Games Begin

The feeling of relief and excitement washes over fans as baseball finally returns to the field. Of course spring training is just the start to a new year of baseball where every team has a chance to field a winner. The process to get there starts with spring training—the time where no namers play more than the regulars and fans get to see the action up close and personal. So with all the excitement in the air, would day one live up to the hype?

Well first things first. Alex Rodriguez figured the best way for people to forget about the steroid allegations was to hit his way out of headlines. So he knocked a home run in his first official at-bat (it was his second plate appearance because he walked twice). The Yankees went on to win easily over the Blue Jays, 6-1.

The first grand slam of spring training was blasted by Cincinnati Reds utility man, Jerry Hairston Jr. against the defending AL champion Tampa Bay Rays. The Reds’ pitchers shut down the Rays' offense allowing just four hits while striking out nine.

The second slam came shortly after as Micah Hoffpauir hit a 5th inning grand salami off Dodgers’ reliever Ramon Troncoso in the Cubs 5-3 win.

The Giants got help from the offense today! First baseman Travis Ishikawa belted two home runs helping the Giants win 10-7 over the Cleveland Indians.

There were two ties on the first day as the Marlins and Cardinals tied 5-5, and the Athletics and Brewers tied at 3-3.

Lastly, one of the bottom feeders in the National League knocked off the World Champions. The Pittsburgh Pirates scored eight runs, with help from a three-run home run by Shelby Ford, to defeat the Phillies 8-2. Jamie Moyer still did his part by pitching two scoreless innings and only giving up one hit.

So day one comes to a close. In just one day, two grand slams were hit, two ties occurred, two home runs were hit by the same player, and the two World Series’ representatives from last year fell on the same day. With all of the excitement day one brought, it’s hard to imagine day two living up to the hype. Will there be any more Shelby Fords or Jerry Hairstons tomorrow? Who knows? But there is one thing I know for certain—it’s great to have baseball back.