opening day

I really could care less about the games in Japan, or the game last night (MLB couldn't schedule a better Sunday night opener than Braves-Nationals?)...today is opening day. The beginning, for Cardinals fans, of a long hard fight to return to relevance. A fight that we don't expect to finish this season, but hopefully we can play some entertaining baseball in the meantime.

With the understanding that of the few people who read this, probably only one is actually a baseball fan, I'll be trying to offer an accessible view of the sport for the uninitiated. Sometimes, at least.

The starting line-up for your 2008 St Louis Cardinals...

1. Skip Schumaker, Left Field
2. Ryan Ludwick, Right Field
3. Albert Pujols, First Base
4. Troy Glaus, Third Base
5. Rick Ankiel, Center Field
6. Yadier Molina, Catcher
7. Cesar Izturis, Shortstop
8. Adam Wainwright, Pitcher
9. Aaron Miles, Second Base

Personally, here's what I'm excited to watch this season:

• Prince Albert's pursuit of yet another 30HR, 100RBI season...continuing his record streak
• Rick Ankiel's stunning transformation from stud pitching prospect to stud power hitting center fielder
• LaRussa's batting the pitcher 8th
• Can Izturis play his way off the team (please?)
• Same for Aaron Miles
• Will Wainwright be able to crack the top tier of NL pitchers?
• Will we see a healthy Carpenter or (more interestingly) Mulder?
• Most importantly, can we keep the Cubs from winning the division again? (I'm looking at you Milwaukee)

Any number of unforeseen storylines will develop over the course of the season. That's one of the beautiful things about baseball. Today is just the beginning.