The friday before Easter, the holiest day of the year. That's right, the home opener. Praise ________ . (Insert your Deity of choice here)

Wally and I head out five hours before first pitch, it's almost two and a half hours before we park the German Sedan. Oh yes the new German Sedan. That check that Chief gave me after last season was spent shortly after on a new ride. I had been contmplating getting something with more comfort and after I piloted the Toyota into a guard rail all decisions became easier.

We headed right over to the large facility and sucked down a couple of mexicans with lime. We couldn't get a seat at the bar, and knowing that we were in serious need of food we walked over to Mass Ave and hit a Thai restaurant. Chicken for me, pork for Wally, both washed down with more beer. With plenty of time before the game we ducked into our favorite alley to burn one. It looks like it's other people's favorite alley too as we ran into four young guys with multiple reefers. Wally commented on how good it was to see good baseball tradition being carried on by the next generation.

We entered the park at Gate B, the ticket attendant was having a little trouble with the new handheld scanning equipment. Chief dispatched me in mid December to check out season tickets, very strange being in the ol' ballyard by myself with the field covered in snow and ice. The first thing that came to my mind on that wintery afternoon when I sat in seat for the first time was the place going nuts next October when we win the big one. So outfield grandstand it will be this season.

The Pats returned with their two Vinces' ; a youngster belted out a kickass rendition of the National Anthem. As a nice touch, the Sox introduced a couple dozen old timers. Yaz was introduced last. The first thing Wally said was "Where's Bill Lee?" Again another good point, seems to me he should be back, I bet he has a favorite alley in Fenway.

We copped a couple more $5.50 cans of beer before the game then agreed to wait a few innings for the next round. When it came time for another run, we missed and inning and a half waiting in line. This needs to be addressed.

I've never really cared for the Opening Day crowd. I'd guess that most are not diehard and therefore not worthy of the first game. A lot of young professionals and college kids, lots of couples trying to get laid.

Well the bullpen sucked and was mismanged, but I found out after the game that the boys didn't get back to Fenway from Baltimore until 7:30am. We ended up getting and ass kicking, but shit it's a long season and even I didn't think they'd win them all.

Yeah that bottle of champagne is still in my refrigerator. That would be the bottle from 1986. I do intend on opening that sucker before I die, and I'm alive this season so what the hell....

What do I know?