HOUSTON – The Astros had already played six games before Monday night. However, the home opener is still a big deal. It was a big deal when the Astros were stinking up baseball but now it's a whole new (here it comes) a whole new ball game.
I usually look for the things that really make opening night special. Closing the roof isn't one of them, but closed it was. The announcement of the Royals had the usual chorus of either polite boos or a who cares silence. People went nuts when the locals were announced. Especially for Tyler White or as he is now called, Babe Ruth or Ted Williams.
The pregame fireworks had smoke hanging over the infield until the fourth inning. Collin McHugh must like that smoke as he went from throwing 44 pitches to get one lousy out in New York to seven scoreless Monday. It's too early for complete games. I was concerned about the empty seats behind home plate. The high rollers must have been high rolling somewhere else. Tilman Fertitta was there. The billionaire reality TV star left in the sixth inning to buy all the restaurants he could find near the park. My suggestion is don't bother.
Nolan and Ruth Ryan were in the front row. Nollie worked over some popcorn while Ruth couldn't believe she got all dressed up to go to a ball game. Her 100,000th as a spectator. Some reporters I know were seeing their first and only game. The funny part about opening night is that it's usually closing night for those not assigned a sports reporting deal. The home record is spotless. As it should be. I never did like the Royals. Except when they beat the Mets. Don't get me started about 1986.