Opening Day is a time for hope. Anything can happen, even a team everyone predicted would finish in the cellar going on a run and sitting in first place most of the year! That’s what happened in 2003, when Runelevys Hernandez tossed a gem on Opening Day, beating the White Sox 3-0. That was the first of nine wins in a row to start the season, as the Royals shocked the baseball world and contended for the division title most of the season.
That hope carried over into the next season, although the team
would fall far short of expectations. But the 2004 Royals at least gave us a memorable Opening Day. The Royals trailed 7-3 going into the ninth against the White Sox, but managed to rally. Light-hitting Mendy Lopez smacked a two-run home run to tie the game. Two batters later, Carlos Beltran sent everyone home with a walk-off home run for a 9-7 victory. That team only won 58 games all year, but that one was the most memorable.
What was your favorite Opening Day or home opener? Do you make it a tradition to attend the game? Watch from work? Watch with friends?
