Columnist Jim Alexander's take:

The eventual final score aside -- as I write this, the Rangers are leading the Angels 11-0 in the ninth inning -- the Angels' home opener tonight didn't exactly have that new car aroma, if you know what I mean.

When you crack open the seal of a season, or even a home season, there's supposed to be a different feeling in the air, that cockeyed optimism of the spring that can allow even a Kansas City Royals fan to feel his team has a chance. (Hey, they still lead their division!)

But for some reason, when the first of 81 home games is played at night, that special feeling is missing.

The Angels did the usual pre-game pageantry tonight, including the hoisting of the 2007 divisional pennant and the return of former GM Bill Stoneman to throw out the first pitch. (It was, for the record, low and outside from the former Montreal Expos pitcher, but ex-catcher Mike Scioscia did a good job of keeping it out of the dirt.)

Yet a daytime opener just feels different, more special. Maybe it's because you have to play hooky from school or work to attend. For whatever reason, the Angels -- unlike the Dodgers, who always play Game 1 in the daytime -- have gotten away from Opening Day, instead opting for opening night.

I think they should reconsider. (But then, I don't have to play hooky to go to Opening Day.)

2 Comments

Brian on April 5, 2008 12:26 PM said:

I wish it was just another Angels game. If that was true it would have been great pitching and timely hitting. Please don't call last night just another Angels game.

As for day openers, I could care less. Day openers are so yesterday. If we're going to worry about that why not go back to all the old rules when baseball first started? I like night games a lot more. I don't have the time at work to play hooky.

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James Duffy on April 6, 2008 10:16 PM said:

Hey Matt, could you find out why in the world they don't have the jets fly over during the home opener anymore? Last two years no jets. Bah humbug :(

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