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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > March > 31 > Entry
Finally … it’s Opening Day
It’s here, it is finally here. Opening Day. There is a tarp covering the field as I sit in the pressbox at 11:30, an ominous sign.
The temperature, though, is in the 60’s, far better than two years ago when it was in the 20’s and Reds Media Relations Director Rob Butcher insisted on leaving the press box windows open.
And who could blame him? For 30-some years in the old Riverfront Stadium (I could never bring myself to call it Cinergy Field), we sat hermetically-sealed behind immovable glass, windows that wouldn’t open, whether it was 20 outside or 90. When it was 20 outside, the heat inside was like 85. When it was 90 outside, it was like 45 inside.
On the way to the park, I was trying to figure out how many Opening Days this is for me. As the beat writer, it is 35 out of 36. My father died two years ago and his funeral was on Opening Day. Before I was the beat writer, I came to games as a feature writer several times, so I believe I’ve attended 41 of the last 42, all in working capacity.
One different thing about Opening Day is the box lunches (ham or turkey or tuna salad?) they serve in the press box, with an apple, a brownie and some potato chips tossed in. That’s because the media dining room isn’t large enough to handle the large media contingent on Opening Day.
On Wednesday, Game 2, things return to normal and meals are provided in the dining room for the media for $7. And you thought they gave us free food, right?
So, weather permitting, the season starts today - the 162-game grind. Opening Day always is special with its carnival-like atmosphere. I even dress up a little bit. Then it is back to normalcy as the Reds try to eradicate seven straight years of losing and mounting frustration to its fans.
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By Scotty J in WV
March 31, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Finally, indeed!! Enjoy your day at the park, Hal. I think we’re in for a good season. Maybe a great one even.
By Scotty J in WV
March 31, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Finally, indeed!! Enjoy your day at the park, Hal. I think we’re in for a good season. Maybe a great one even.
By CincyJohn
March 31, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Im pumped for Opening Day and the 2008 Season. My favorite Opening Day moment was I believe 2005 against the Mets when Dunn hit a HR to tie and Randa it one to win it. GO REDS!!!