No matter what ESPN dictates, the 2014 Major League Baseball season does not officially begin until "Play Ball" is shouted by the umpire in Cincinnatt, Ohio, shortly before 4 p.m. EDT today. While it may not host the very first game of the season as in years past, Cincinnati has been allowed the tradition of always opening at home. So following the Opening Day parade, the Cincinnati Reds will host Anna's St. Louis Cardinals to officially kick off another season of our national past time. Since 2003, the Great American Ball Park (at left) has been home to the Reds, which is generally regarded as the first professional baseball team. The Red Stockings were one of the charter members of the National League.
The following video captures the excitement of the beginning of another baseball season in America.
http://youtu.be/Awsxe2BQ-Bs
And yet another video on this day that marks the start of new beginnings shows the connection between our national pasttime and the great taste of Dr Pepper.
http://youtu.be/5xtBpKsKweo
Photo Credit: D. Trundle
