Opening Day, Take 2

This is how Opening Day should be.

Sunshine (okay, the Simones have no control over the weather, but still...), a sellout crowd (5th largest in stadium history), bunting wrapping the park, a brass band, a choral group to sing the national anthem, fireworks and a balloon launch during the anthem, a recently wounded war vet throwing out the first pitch (not a bunch of politicians), marines in their dress uniforms looking like walking bunting scattered throughout the crowd.

Rochester does Opening Day the right way. And the fans respond to it.

I made the mistake of not purchasing my ticket beforehand and got SRO which mean sitting on one of the berms (too tough with my arthritic knees) or in the bleachers (see knees). I did find a seat way up top in the right field grandstand and quickly discovered why those seats were empty during a sellout. Under the roof, in the shade, it was cold and windy.

Not just the front office did Rochester proud. The team came through, too, winning 2 to 1.

Game Log CatcherKen Huckaby is a human Mack truck; we all remember him dislocating Derek Jeter's shoulder last Opening Day with his aggressive defense of third base. During the first game in Rochester, going after an infield pop-up he literally bowled over third baseman Jason Alfaro. Ken came running from behind the plate, Jason from third, Ken held his mitt up, ran over Jason who tumbled like an acrobat.