Opening Day

The Phillies and Braves square off tonight in the first game of the 2009 Major League Baseball season, with 26 teams following suit tomorrow, and the Brewers and Giants opening their '09 campaigns on Tuesday. For diehard fans such as those who will be sitting in a rain-soaked Fenway Park, praying for Mother Nature to let their beloved Red Sox to take the field, Opening Day is an annual tradition. But this is a year when it is so much more.

Baseball has an important place in this country that often goes underappreciated or unnoticed. It is the national pastime, and in times such as this economic meltdown of the United States, baseball has united Americans in a way few other things can.

When the teams took the field to finish the 2001 season that paused for a week due to the events of 9/11, the late Jack Buck stood in a Cardinal red sportcoat in St. Louis, to silence the critics saying baseball had returned too soon, answering his own question of "Should we be here?" with a resounding "Yes!"

As commissioner Selig said earlier this week, "Baseball has always served as a diversion for its fans in difficult times." Ticket prices are tough to swallow sometimes, especially with the opening of two new ballparks in New York, and the always-expensive Sox ticket. However, with some good planning, finding discount games and/or buying tickets online from places like StubHub or eBay, fans can afford to go to games in 2009.

When this country has been knocked down, and when it has been up against the ropes, it has been the game of baseball that has often kept Americans going. And as the calendar has turned to Opening Day in what has already been a tumultuous 2009, there are only two more words to be said: Play ball.

-- MTM

Monday morning quarterbacking

• The Mets 'pen did it again. The newest member of the bullpen, Luis Ayala, did not pitch in the 5-2 loss to the Pirates on Monday. Instead, it was Brian Stokes who coughed up the lead in the 6th, and Pedro Feliciano gave up what proved to be the winning run in the 8th. Bring on the Braves, as the somewhat-faded rivalry renews at Shea Tuesday through Thursday.
• Yankees news: MLB.com is reporting Carl Pavano may start for the Yankees on Saturday in Baltimore. He still plays?
• Sox tonight in their second home park, Camden Yards, as they take on the Orioles. After dropping both games of a rain-shortened two game set to the Jays, Jon Lester will take his 11-4 mark to the hill against Jeremy Guthrie.
• In football: Many people who follow the New England Patriots have wondered what would happen to the Pats if star quarterback Tom Brady was unable to play due to injury. In New England's 27-10 Brady-less loss to the Buccaneers last night on national television, Patriots fans - and football fans everywhere caught a glimpse of how that situation would turn out. The answer? Not too great. Fourth-year backup Matt Cassel went 6 of 10 for 57 yards, followed by rookie Kevin O'Connell putting up a not-so-impressive 6 of 15 for 61 yards and 1 pick. Cassel, O'Connell, and Matt Gutierrez, the fourth QB on the Pats' roster, have started a combined zero games in the NFL. Pats fans better hope for a quick return from Brady. If not, maybe New England might want to take a look at Daunte Culpepper, who is still sitting at home.