Most of the talk surrounding this game has to do with only one of the two teams: The Braves. On the one hand you have Bobby Cox undertaking the first game of his last official season as manager of the team. On the other hand, the baseball world is positively agog over the arrival of Jason Heyward, the guy that folks are nearly unanimous in picking as their NL Rookie of the Year.
If Heyward doesn't have at least three hits in this game (And he already has a homer! Whee!), look for much wailing and gnashing of teeth, especially from resident Braves fan / Internet extraordinaire / Southern gentleman, matt_t, who I've heard is actually at Turner Field and having quite the time.
Last but not least there's Derek Lowe, who many thought wouldn't even be a Brave come today, yet here he is starting Game Numero Uno. Drama! Brittle egos! Statements!
Oh, and the Cubs hardly did anything this winter and still face the same expectations from a fanbase that will always fall back on the same excuse for the consistent failures of the franchise.
| ACCURSED GOATS | HEYWARDS |
| Ryan Theriot, SS | Melky Cabrera, LF |
| Kosuke Fukudome, RF | Martin Prado, 2B |
| Derek Lee, 1B | CHIPPER, 3B |
| Aramis Ramirez, 3B | Brian McCann, C |
| Marlon Byrd, CF | Troy Glaus, 1B |
| Alfonso Soriano, LF | Yunel Escobar, SS |
| Mike Fontenot, 2B | Jason Heyward !!!11!, RF |
| Geovanny Soto, C | Nate McClouth, CF |
| Carlos Zambrano, P | Derek Lowe, P |
THIS SEASON WE HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES TO DEDICATE IN MEMORY OF THAT IT WOULDNT SURPRISE THIS GUY ONE BIT TO WATCH THE BRAVES RUN ALL THE WAY HOME TO THE HOME LAND AND BRING HOME THE BIG PRIZE
WE GOT COXIES LAST SEASON AND HEYWARDS BIG ARRIVAL AND THEN WE GOT SOME OTHER SPECIAL GUYS FROM THE PIRATES OR SOMETHING BUT EITHER WAY ITS GONNA BE ONE HELLACIOUS SHOWDOWN IN ATLANTA EVERY NIGHT FOR SIX MONTHS EXCEPT WHEN WE ARE ON THE ROAD OR OFF
OH AND IF I CAN SAY ONE PERSONAL THING REAL QUICK I DONT LIKE HOW MR MCMAHON IS GIVING OLD BOY JIM ROSS THE HIGH HARD ONE COME ON VINNY PLAY YOUR CARDS STRAIGHT AND GIVE THE MAN HIS MANY DESSERTS
Oh, Chipper. Now it's OFFICIALLY opening day.
I'm starving. Hey Earl, we got any desserts back there?
So, I just saw the replay of the Heyward homer, and my favorite part is his parents hugging randoms in the stands, as the place goes effing nuts.
Those weren't randoms. That was Uncle Cleve.
Yeah, Gorge, are you saying black people can't have white friends? Huh? Because that's something Chipper would say. You guys should hang out if that's the case!
I asked for that.
I take offense J's implication that CHIPPER is racist.
Chipper has plenty of black friends. Bud Black runs Whitetail tours on the ol' Double Dime Ranch.
Well played, Nick.
That was no white guy they hugged, it was Matt T.
I WAS HUGGING RANDOM PEOPLE TOO. I SAW JESUS IN PERSON TODAY AND HOLY SHIT