Opening Day for the St. Louis Cardinals

Opening day in St. Louis isn't just a game. It really is a regional holiday. It has all the excitement and anticipation of Christmas. It has the fireworks of the 4^th of July. It's the official first day of spring. The atmosphere in the stadium is more like the last game of the World Series instead of the first game of the regular season. Baseball is back; the Cardinals are on the field, the stands are red, and the people are ready. Even with standing room only tickets and sore knees at the end of the game, it is an experience like no other in baseball.

The game becomes almost secondary to the pep rallies, rituals, and pageantry that precede it. There is the official pep rally at Ballpark Village, along with many unofficial pep rallies at the nearby watering holes. Red and white beads, hair, banners, signs, and hats blend in to the sea of red shirts, and sometimes pants. The Cardinal fans will do their part to get the team started off on another season.

The Anheuser Busch Budweiser Clydesdale hitch is a sight to behold as it enters the stadium, to the organ playing Here Comes the King. The Clydesdales are truly majestic animals, and it's as if they understand this is no ordinary appearance. Their cantor seems extra proud and crisp on days like this, yet they and their Dalmatian passenger seem utterly unfazed by the cheering throngs around them.

Watching the Cardinal greats enter the field is an awe inspiring sight for any baseball fan, regardless of team affiliation. Names like Stan Musial, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock, and Bob Gibson parade around the field in convertibles, certainly some of the greatest Cardinals, and arguably some of the greatest baseball players, ever. As their names are announced, cheers erupt, tribute is paid, and respect is given to these men. The boys of summer, these are the men who made Cardinal baseball what it is and bind the Cardinal Nation together.

It is the beginning of a season of promise, unlike the Cubs, who will either be out of the playoff hunt by June, or will fold in September. Rookies and veterans alike will put on the jersey with the birds on the bat logo, step onto the field, and into the arms and hearts of the 40,000 plus in the stadium. Cardinal time. That's an, winner!