Opening Day: A virtual holiday in the city of Cincinnati. A day Marty Brenneman calls the "greatest single day" each year in the City of Cincinnati. A day the Reds, a team soaking with baseball tradition and history took on the Chicago Cubs. But, as you may or may not know, the baseball game is just the closing of a much larger event.
It begins much earlier than opening day. It begins before spring training. It begins with passion. There is a passion by the people in Cincinnati for their Cincinnati Reds. Touted as the oldest team in baseball, the Reds are a tradition in Cincinnati that outdates all its residents.
Despite a string of lackluster years, in early February, a week before tickets go on sale for opening day, people pack up their camping supplies and stake a claim in the line for tickets at the ballpark. Waiting through bitter cold, snow storms, and the incessant sound of the nearby interstate, fans wait, mostly patiently, for the chance at the elusive opening day ticket. Then almost as soon as the moment arrives, it is gone. Within 15 minutes, all of the over 42,000 tickets are gone. The only hope becomes an overpriced ticket from eBay, 333-SEAT, or scalpers trying to get $150 for nosebleed seats when the game is already in the fourth inning.
Ten days before opening day, 700WLW begins their countdown. Nonstop would be the word to describe discussions of prospect and reminiscence. A new owner this year makes the hype and expectations elevated.
On opening day itself, the parade takes place from Findlay Market and snakes its way around downtown with numerous dignitaries, former players, and average Reds fans. Students skip school, employees skip work, and even those that don't, are attached to either a radio tuned to Marty and Joe (and Steve), a television, or are clicking away online watching the play-by-play.
All this, and we are just approaching the beginning of the game. This year, President Bush threw the first pitch. Gates opened at 10:15 for the 2:15 game. He did well, at least getting it to the plate and then the Chicago Cubs went on to pulverize the Cincinnati Reds 16-7. By the 6th inning most of the fans had left the ballpark with frustration, only hoping the season doesn't end in June like it has for so many in the recent past and already anticipating next year's opening day.
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