Opening day memories: From Seaver to Scully, Ted to the Ted

No game today.

On what was supposed to be opening day all around the majors, ballparks will be shut Thursday because of the coronavirus pandemic.

So while we wait and hope for baseball this year, some present and past sports writers for The Associated Press reflect on their favorite opening day memories, on and off the field:

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April 5, 1983

Shea Stadium, New York

What I've always remembered was the roar.

Way off in the distance, coming full throat from an afternoon crowd I couldn't even see yet.

We were trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic, inching our way toward the Shea Stadium parking lot. Still must have been a half-mile from our seats — maybe more.

Inside that huge, horseshoe-shaped ballpark, a favorite son had returned. Tom Seaver was back with the New York Mets six years after being traded away. And when The Franchise walked in from the bullpen following his pregame warmup, fans let loose with a loud and unbridled outpouring of love.

You could begin to make out the ovation even with the windows up. Muffled, like the ocean echo when you hold a seashell to your ear. So my dad rolled down the glass, and let that intoxicating sound fill our station wagon.

I don't recall much about the game, other than sitting high above home plate as Seaver pitched well and the Mets beat Philadelphia. Looked it up a little while back — at 38 years old, he shut down a pennant-winning Phillies lineup that featured Pete Rose and three Hall of Famers.

Seaver got a no-decision. Steve Carlton took the 2-0 loss. Seven NL Cy Young Awards between 'em.

I was almost 8, same age as my own baseball-crazy boy is now. Last week I got a text with a YouTube link from his best friend's father: "I'm watching this. Opening day '83. Seaver v...

source https://www.chron.com/news/article/Opening-day-memories-From-Seaver-to-Scully-Ted-15156677.php