God willing, I'm not anywhere near kicking the bucket. I didn't see the Jack Nicholson movie, The Bucket List, but thought the premise was cool. Well, as a lifelong Reds fan, every Opening Day I gripe about how I didn't get to go. 34 Opening Days went by and I never got to go to one. This year was different. One of my buddies called me on Friday with an extra ticket. I had to strike a deal with my boss to let me leave work early to go, but it was all worth it. Even gloomy, annoying rain couldn't dampen my day. I was always told how special Opening Day is in Cincinnati. I knew that already. But after experiencing it today, I can honestly say it truly is special. It's more than just another game. Do I wish the Reds had won the game? Sure. That would've been more special. Do I wish the game hadn't been delayed an hour due to rain, sure. But none of that took away from being able to scratch something off my bucket list.

A couple thoughts on the game. 1.) The Reds offense cannot strikeout 10 times and expect to win games. It's been an ugly trend for a couple years and it's got to stop. 2.) The rain really took some of the specialness out of the pre-game ceremonies. By the time the tarp was rolled off the field, they started honoring all of the deceased Reds who had passed away like Bob Howsam, Chief Bender and of course Joe Nuxhall. However, we all wanted more honors for Nuxie and the entire thing seemed so drawn out, and quite frankly, we were all ready to play ball at that point. Then, they rightfully honored Matt Maupin and lots of other local soldiers. Again, it could've been more touching but it seemed so drawn out and lack poignancy. 3.) I've had all I can take of "Team Lachey." I'm thrilled this chorus won money for Children's Hospital, but do I need to hear 3 songs from these people? 4.) Hats off to Todd Portune. He threw a strike (from the front of the pitching mound) in the first pitch. After last year's debacle/embarrassment of Mark Mallory throwing like a girl to the dugout, Portune represented well, especially considering the man has battled a spinal tumor and paralysis. As someone with a disability myself, I was very proud and happy for him. 5.) Corey Patterson is a fantastic defensive center fielder. He made two run saving plays that Freel, Griffey or even Hopper wouldn't have made.

It's Opening Day in Cincinnati and in this city, there is no better day. Major League Baseball has done what it can to destroy the day (playing in Japan, Sunday Night Baseball), but the day is still all about tradition.  The Findlay Market Parade kicks things off to start the day. There is the all-morning, all-afternoon tailgating and bar parties, and of course there is the game.

This year though there is something a bit different. For the first time in my memory, the day does not fall on the same day as the college basketball championship game. To me it has always been like Christmas, the ballgame in the afternoon and the the title game at night. With March ending on Monday and April's first day being Tuesday, things fell differently this year.

The men's title game will be played next Monday on April 7th.  Though I am bit disappointment to have this much aniticipated day split up, at least I have something to look forward to next year and at least this year I won't pass out during the title game.