As I sit down to write this post, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are playing the first Sunday Night game on ESPN of the 2014 schedule. Monday’s schedule has quite a few more games on the slate, which is why I refer to it as the official Opening Day of the season.
All 30 of the teams will have played once Tuesday is complete, and the 2014 season will officially be underway. So, what does Opening Day mean to me?
This is a very difficult question to answer for two reasons. The first, is that this is usually one of the most exciting days of the year for me. The second is that this year; it is far from exciting for me.
Opening Day 2014 will be the first without my father-in-law. We lost him tragically in May of 2013; so Opening Day this year will be very different.
No longer will I receive a text message that says “Happy Opening Day;” followed by the obligatory “Let’s Go Phillies.” Then, not minutes later, a text would come in after a Phillies’ blunder. Even though text messages complaining about the Phillies’ struggles on day one would bother me, I would always respond with a laugh or a comment that defended the team. I will miss those conversations with my father-in-law the most.
The two of us had a lot in common; especially the love we shared for food, a good cigar, the beach and family. But, the topic that always put us in some of our most intriguing conversations was baseball.
He, like all the others in my life, knew how much I am dedicated to the game. Opening Day was never just about the Philadelphia Phillies beginning their season. It was about the sheer excitement of seeing professional baseball, that finally counts, back on television and spending time in the company of family and friends enjoying the nation’s past-time.
It has been almost one year since our family lost a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather, and a best friend to many. Despite the distance, the hurt is still present. The pain has not gone away. I thought baseball would help me heal last year. Now, I pray that baseball helps me begin to heal this year.
Opening Day to me means fathers and sons, brothers, mothers and daughters, sisters, grandparents and grandchildren heading to the ballpark to eat hot dogs and fill out scorecards while watching their favorite team begin what is hopefully a championship season.
There are so many reasons why the excitement for Opening Day has faded for me. One reason is that there is so much negativity surrounding the Phillies this year. The other is that after a year of firsts without my father-in-law; this one surprised me. It never entered my mind last year. Now, with Opening Day hours away, the reality of it is setting in.
All I can do is open a Corona Light, pop in a lime, raise the bottle to the sky, and toast my father-in-law as baseball begins once again.
We hear the cliche line each year; “Hope springs eternal.”
Spring is supposed to bring new life and renewed hope for better days ahead. As I write this; I believe better days are ahead. Not just because baseball is back, but because the only way we can truly begin to heal is to try and have a positive outlook on life.
Enjoy Opening Day.
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Jim is the creator and editor of At the Dish, Cinn City Sports, Life with Tony and Enzo and owner of JAVFreelancing. He coached baseball for five years, three at his former high school (Holy Cross in Delran, NJ) and two at prominent Division III program Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He has worked for the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, NJ; Metro Networks in Bala Cynwyd, PA; and was the play-by-play announcer for the Camden Riversharks of the Independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for two seasons (2007-2008) on Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM, the student-run radio station at Rowan University. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor in Journalism from Rowan University in 2008. While in school he was the Assistant Sports Director at WGLS for two years and the Sports Director for one year. He also covered the football, baseball, softball and both basketball teams for the school newspaper 'The Whit.' Jim lives in New Jersey with his wife Nicole, sons Tony and Enzo and dog Phoebe. He can be reached at jimvassallo@mlbdrafts.com.
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What a beautiful post! Thanks Jim for reminding me too.
What a beautiful and heartfelt dedication Jim.. you are an amazing writer and a wonderful person. So lucky to know you and your family.
Sincerely
Janet ford
A fine tribute a a fine man. It is very comforting to know Chris has ha and still continues to have such an impact on your life. Chris continues to still have an impact on many peoples lives. A true friend.
Great post Jim!