Ah, the Rite of Spring. Sunday was Easter, last week Passover. Those are two holidays and Holy Days which announce to all that Spring is here. But those are not the days I mean.
No, the day of days, the Holy Day of Holy Days, the true American Holiday is, of course, Opening Day.
On Monday, April 1st, at least here in New York, we celebrate the day that signals the rebirth of the baseball season. All hopes spring eternal, all teams are even, tied for first. Optimism by the fans abound, with good feelings about the start of the season, about the fortune of our team.
The All Star Game will be played at the cathedral of the Mets, Citi Field. But that is three months away, so although the game looms, it is not so important now. The playoffs and World Series are the prizes everyone plays for, but again, they are off in the distance, so not so pressing right now.
No, what we (our teams, not you and me) are playing for today is to be in first place, ahead of our competition, at a record of 1-0. Yes, we live and die by the fortunes of our team, but our lives and our livelihood are not dependent upon it. Yet, that's what makes us fans, no rather, fanatics.
We wear the hats and the jerseys of our favorite team, making us think we are a part of the successes and failures of our heroes. We want to share in the glory of winning and we anguish in the agony of defeat. And we are not ashamed to demonstrate either emotion to our friends and families, our coworkers, acquaintances, or the fans of our hated foes.
So, sing that song, that we learned as kids when we went to our first game many years ago. It is sung at every game by every team, whether major league or minor, sandlot or semi-pro, little league or American legion: Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd.
And when your team celebrates its Opening Day, enjoy it to its fullest because, just like a first impression, you only have one chance to shine, one chance to celebrate, one chance to start out a winner, one chance to enjoy the Rite of Spring.
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