Opening Day of the baseball season, here we come!
For me, this is a marker of a new season that’s beginning. Not just a new baseball season, but the “Season”. By this, I mean that it’s milestone that tells us that warmer weather and summer fun is on the way. Here in the Chicago area, it’s a big deal, after the cold winters – especially this year, with the epic storm that battered the area in February. Summer here is a true celebration, people that have moved here from other places across the country remark how great the season locally is because everyone’s so excited.
Anyway, being a sports fan, this reminds me of a time when I shelled out some cash, took a chance, and went to the Opening Day game in Chicago. It was well worth the money.
I was a high school junior, 17 years old, and we went to see the White Sox at the old Comiskey Park. It was torn down 20 years ago, but I still have many childhood/teen memories of the grand old place from an era long past. Including that season opener.
It was a risk because it was on a school day. You just couldn’t skip a day of school to go see a game. But we did it, and what a time it was.
We sat in the left field upper deck of the ancient ballpark, and watched the opener. It was kind of chilly, I remember that, but the seasons were clearly changing. Just being at the ballpark on opening day, with some buddies while in high school was great. Thinking of all the history at the old park, which opened in 1910, added to the aura of the afternoon. Lots of opening days too place there, and generations of fans had been going to old Comiskey Park for almost 80 years to see the White Sox. It was great to be a part of one.
What’s funny is that even though I’m a big fan, I don’t even remember who won that day. What I do remember was being a young guy going to the storied old ballpark on Opening Day, taking in all the sights, sounds, and even the smells (good ole ballpark fare).
Also interesting is that even though I tend to think of money more than many people (probably an understatement), I have no idea how much it cost to go to that game. It was probably a big expenditure to see that game, for me at that age. After all, I hadn’t even had my first summer job yet. But clearly I didn’t care much. Now that I’m older, I appreciate the memories even more. Can’t wait to take my own kids to ballgames, thought no skipping school will be allowed:)
Sometimes it’s so worth it to just spend the money, seize the moment, and go do what it is you want to do. Not always, but once in a while. If you pick carefully, those times can be priceless. In fact, like me, you won’t even remember or care about the costs involved.
My Questions for You:
- Have you ever splurged to go to a big sporting event? Actually, let’s make it any live show, be it game, play, show, etc.
- Since it’s the week of Opening Day, tell us – what’s your favorite baseball team?
I went to the University of Michigan during the Fab Five era, and I and two of my classmates from creative writing class drove from Michigan to Texas to see the basketball team compete in the Sweet Sixteen. It was great, but I shouldn’t have gone if I was just considering financing. I am glad that I went though because I now have some great memories. 🙂
Melissa –
Good story, and great example. By the way, I remember that era your talk about quite well. I was in school during that time, but I was at Indiana…a rival of Michgan:) I think one of those years Indiana and Michigan were both in the Final Four – 1992 maybe? I had a chance to go to Minneapolis for the Final Four but passed on it due to tests. Otherwise, it would have been quite an experience to be sure. Actually, I now have a blog post in mind….thank for the inspiration 🙂
I agree! These events stick to you forever! My kid isn’t old enough for a game, but heck I’ll keep this in mind when it is time!
MoneyCone – yes, those events stick with you forever. I remember being a very little kid, and going to my first ball game in 1977. It was a night game at the old Comiskey Park, where the neighborhood at that time was immediately surrounded by some extremely high crime areas. Frankly, half of what I remember was how my parents, myself, and my friend all rushed from the park to our car to get out of there afterward! But the other half of what I remember was sitting in the old ballyard, well behind homeplate behind a pillar, and watching the game. Sox lost to Cleveland 5-3. I was just 6, but I remember those details. So yes, those events stick with you forever!
My husband and I were pretty dang broke the December after we got married, but we splurged on tickets to the Transiberian Orchestra. I remember that they cost more than $100 combined but it was AWESOME. That was in 2005 and we’ve been back every Christmas season since then. 🙂
Houston Astros simply since I live in Houston. I really prefer football over baseball…
Crystal – sometimes splurging is just worth it. As much as we all talk about wants vs needs (I’m way into that line of thinking as you probably know), sometimes there are occasions where we just have to go for it.
You’re going to pummel me, but I dont’ have a favourite team in baseball! I don’t really watch it. I did watch my first baseball game in Seattle.. it was Seattle and the Boston Red Sox.
I’m not a big fan of splurging on big events, but I would drop big coin on Usher!
Young and Thrifty – oh, don’t worry….no pummeling from me! I’m guessing that in Vancouver, baseball isn’t anywhere close to being as much a part of the fabric of the area as it is in many U.S. cities. Here in Chicago, the White Sox and Cubs have been around since around 1900, so it’s ingrained over many generations. As for Usher, I’ll bet you have tons of company in terms of people willing to shell out some dough for a chance to see him!
We splurged a couple years ago on a concert featuring Coldplay and Snow Patrol. We had an amazing time and I still remember it clear as day. We very rarely ever go to concerts though unless we LOVE the band. Otherwise the money isn’t worth it.
I think we splurge the most on travel.
Miss T – you know, you mention travel and that’s been my biggest splurge ever. Had no business taking a trip to Europe 10 years ago but we did, and it provided priceless experiences and memories.
Every opening day is great! Im Detroit Tigers fan and I take the day off every year to go! Sadly they lost their first game of the season today…to the Yanks.
Justin – Did you ever go to the old Tiger Stadium? I’m not from Detroit, but back in 1999 I went to the park twice. Great old stadium, rich in history. I’m guessing the newer one (Comerica still?) has much more modern features though.
We don’t have a major league team here, but at least they have a new stadium (paid for partly by taxpayers, grrrr) . You post has made me go mark out on the calendar to attend at least one game in April. We didn’t go last year, and I see it now as a missed opportunity. The years just fly by!
I have great memories of seeing a Cubs-Braves game at Wrigley Field in 1965. I spent the summer working in that part of the state (I live in Southern Illinois, like 300 miles away). Anyway, being a Cardinal fan, I didn’t care who won, so I said before the game started that I want to see Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks both hit a home run. In the top of the first, Aaron hit a homer and Banks followed with one in the bottom of the first.
I am a long time Cardinal fan, and opening day still gives me a thrill…a harbinger of good times and warmer weather.