My Heart Is In Cincinnati On Opening Day

The first game of the Major League Baseball season took place today with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the San Diego Padres by a score of 5-2. This was no ordinary first game as this contest took place in Seoul, South Korea. This is not the first time MLB has ventured outside of the United States to begin the season. The first time it happened was in 1996 when the Padres played the New York Mets in Monterrey, Mexico. However, if you are of a certain age, the first game of the season should be reserved for one city.

That city is Cincinnati.

For so many years, up until the early 1990’s, the first pitch of the season was thrown by a Reds’ pitcher. Like so many other traditions, be it in baseball or life in general, this was sacrificed in pursuit of greater riches. Contrary to what I believed to be true, Opening Day in Cincinnati was not because the Reds are the oldest professional baseball team. Early on, it was the southern most city in the National League, making it the most likely to have the warmest weather. According to this article in the Cincinnati Enquirer, when the league wanted the Reds to open on the road in 1935, general manager Larry McPhail pointed to the 60 year old tradition of starting the season in the Queen City and he also told the league the franchise could use the money from the sellout. The Reds still generally play their first series at home. Since 1876, the only years the Reds have played on the road have been 1877, 1885, 1888, 1966, 1990 and 2022. Even though the tradition of playing the first game is gone, Cincinnati still celebrates Opening Day, with thousands of people skipping work and school to attend the parade that celebrates the start of another season.

I am glad baseball is back. It feels like a year since the last out of the World Series was recorded. However, I would take the start of the baseball season beginning a week or two later if the tradition of Opening Day returns to Cincinnati.

Author: Tom Lynch

Family is everything to me. Baseball is a close second. What better way to combine my two favorite passions than to write about them! My three children each have a different baseball team, hence the title, "Three Unassisted". I write about not only my thoughts but also the musings of Ryan (Yankees), Caitlyn (Phillies) and Matthew (Mets). I may have grown up a Yankees fan but since family is greater than ball, I also root for the Phillies and Mets. I love talking about my kids. I love talking about baseball. That lethal combination will keep you coming back for more. Happy reading! View all posts by Tom Lynch