Almost.
We’re one day from April, and the snow here in our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood is waving its last bye-bye, what with a high of 57 forecast for tomorrow.
At least I hope its one final wave. You never know around here. A common comment: Remember the year we woke up to inches of snow on Mother’s Day.
We’re one hour from first pitch for my New York Mets’ opening day 2014, at Citi Field in Flushing, hosting the Washington Nationals. At 0-0, I’m always optimistic. And the Mets have a seriously magnificent record on opening days in their 52-year history.
The Mets are 34-18 in first games. And that’s after losing on opening day their first eight seasons.
Stephen Strasburg for the Nats vs. Dillon Gee for the Mets. I will have the TV on.
We’re three days away from opening day for the Syracuse Chiefs.
My dear wife Karen has asked for the afternoon off from work. There’s a movement afoot for a group gathering at NBT Bank Stadium.
There’s nothing quite like being there for an opening day in a ballpark, surrounded by baseball fans ready for the first pitch after a long winter.
Here’s the source for the Chiefs logo.
What are looking forward to the most as the calendar turns from March to April?



glad to see y’all are staring to defrost a bit up there!
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It’s a weird time of the year up here. Woke up this morning to a deep frost on the lawn but hear that we’ll hit a high of 57. Enjoy your south, TMB.
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😀 yeah, after a long winter, it’s starting to feel like the South again, too! 🙂
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Lets….PLAY BALL!!!!
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An unofficial American holiday in my eyes, Susie. Opening day was great even in extra-inning defeat for my Mets. Glad to see you’re into it!
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Go Rockies!!!
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There you are, Susie!
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You’re so close now! We’re actually running the a/c all day, and the fans are going as well; it’s over 80. Hard to believe. This time of year is bluebonnet season, so folks go along the highways and pose in patches of bluebonnets. That’s what we’ll do soon enough.
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I do recall that way back, the college football game in Houston was called the Astro Bluebonnet Bowl, Kerbey. Enjoy your AC and outdoor splendor.
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Oh no! We don’t want snow for Mother’s Day, Mark! But I was fairly certain we would have more before we were done this winter! I am so glad that you have baseball ahead and please don’t think about the basketball debacle too much! Smiles, Robin
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Basketball? What basketball? It’s baseball season! Thanks, Robin.
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7:39 PM . End of second inning, Fernandez 3 K’s already for Miami.
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He’s an arm, Carl, a real, live arm.
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Good luck to your team. I hope my cousins who are tonight in Cincinnati for their opener, don’t see me wishing your team good luck! 😉
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I won’t tell. I will be vewwy vewwy qwuiet, Colleen.
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Good man Mark!
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It’s nice to see that snow melting. Sounds like fun — the game.
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You have some green grass peeping through Mark. Impressive! And I saw a tree with flowers on it this morning. And finally a game I actually know something about. Baseball, the American dream sport. I have a cousin who plays but not sure where any more. If you’ve ever, or ever do, hear of Keith Blandford, that’s him. And can’t remember which Swanson is the player, Alex or Chris. We stretch long and far. Not even sure it’s Keith. I only have about 300 Blandford cousins, so keeping up with names is difficult. NASCAR is another one I can understand, due to my mis-placed brain cells and my ’54 Pontiac. So if you ever watched the Green Brothers race, they are also my cousins. Not as many cousins on the Goetz side, but Mike, Jeff and Chris are cousins. Ah, what the heck. Sneezing again, because I went out again today. I need a HAZ-MAT suit.
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i LOVE opening day, but couldn’t go this year as it was our first day back at school. i taught the class a bit about the tigers, about baseball, and of course, how to sing, ‘take me out to the ballgame.’ we all had fun. and best of all, the tigers won and it was close to 60 today. best of luck to your mets )
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Perfect opening day class lesson, teacher Beth! Glad your Tigers followed up all that kinder singing with a victory. My Mets’ bullpen blew it and we lost 9-7 to the Nationals in extra innings, darn it.
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aw, sorry, but i love opening day no matter what )
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First of all, congratulations for the snow almost being melted away! I know the feeling of that brownish pile of wet junk that can be on the ground through March. I’m most excited for spring days and cocktails on the porch of my mini manse with the cats. Cheers to springtime!
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I’m looking forward to my daughter’s birthday in April. I’ve got enough room in my heart to root for the SF giants and the mets I believe. Yay baseball!
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The new Giants stadium right on the Bay is awesome, Sandra. Karen and I enjoyed a game there on that special California vacation. Yay baseball!
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Yay for opening day and for Mark’s post!
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Let’s Go Mets. We’re up 4-2 after two innings. Thanks, Ann.
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Red Sox game starts in 15 minutes, Mark. At this point in the season, anything is possible.
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We are all undefeated (except for those who started in Australia last weekend and last night in Los Angeles). Enjoy the Sox, Ann.
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The Sox lost, Mark. We used to say, “Wait until next year,” when that happened for the first game. These days, we’re a little more confident.
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For 161 more games, Ann, you are the defending World Series champs!
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Hurrah for baseball season! It’s finally here.
A couple of years ago, a letter to the editor of the big daily bashed and complained about our local baseball team. It was hurtful, and I wrote a letter to defend the Chiefs. It was featured in the editorial section along with another concerned CNY resident; I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who was offended by the original condescending letter.
Baseball is such an important aspect to the American summer and culture.
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This year will be telling, Chris, with a new GM and promise of good players from Washington.
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