Opening Day Memories

Today will mark my 11th consecutive home opener. Opening Day, regardless if it's the season or home opener, is always a great day. From the team introductions, a packed house, fly over, and hot dog buns that aren't stale, opening day is always a highlight of a long season.

Here are a few memories from past openers.

April 13, 2004 - The Sox blasted the Kansas City Royals 12-5 in Ozzie Gullien's first home game as manager. The wind was swirling and the temperatures were in the 40s during gametime. Fans also got to see a new and improved ballpark. This was the debut the lopped off upper deck and new overhang.

April 4, 2005 - The Championship season began at home with Mark Buehrle throwing a gem against the Cleveland Indians. Do you remember who saved the 1-0 win? That's right, Mr. Zero himself, Shingo Takatsu.

April 2, 2006 - Just one year later the Sox were coming off a World Series victory and the stage was set for banner night. In a touching pre-game ceremony the Sox unveiled their new championship banners before taking the field as defending World Champions for the first time since April 16, 1918. After the two hour plus rain delay that began in the 3rd inning, Jim Thome (making his Sox debut) hit an absolute bomb in the forth inning to highlight the 10-4 win.

April 2, 2007 - This forgettable season began with a 12-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians. Grady Sizemore hit the second pitch of the game out to the seats in right field. The Indians didn't stop abusing Jose Contreras there, they tagged him for eight runs in 1+ inning of work.

April 7, 2008 - Joe Crede highlighted the 7-4 win with a grand slam in the 7th inning against the Minnesota Twins. The game was a precursor to the exciting year on the South Side as the two teams battled for first place all season until needing a 163rd game to decide the AL Central Championship. Unlike the week prior, the Sox did not let us down by winning the tiebreaker game at a "blacked out" Cell, 1-0.

April 5, 2010 - You couldn't have asked for a better day than this. Temperatures hit 71 degrees and the Sox battered the Cleveland Indians 6-0 highlighted by Paul Konerko's first inning solo home run and Mark Buehrle's seven inning, three hit shutout performance.

I'll report from The Cell later on with photos, observations, and hopefully a White Sox winner.