Opening Day in Anaheim.

Got my tickets, got my game jerseys that say DownUnder on the back. Met up with 5569 and put together our game plan. Now just had to let the hours tick by until game time.

Actually, walked over about 4:30 pm even though the stadium didn’t open until 5. Had to put up with the cat calls from just about every car that I passed along the road. Guess my blue Royals jersey stood out just a little. Even the guy in the UPS truck was laughing so hard he almost drove off the road.

Arrived at the stadium where the atmosphere was filled with anticipation. Radio 830 am blasting pregame activities over loud speakers and arguing over who was the best ever Angel’s player. Angels had a spinning wheel for fans to spin and try to win prizes. Chevy dealers giving away tee shirts and other prizes if you came over and looked at their new cars. Hawkers selling everything from programs to Pujols flags. And video and still cameras flashing everywhere to capture the excitement.

Got in one of the lines to the gate and soon found I was the only blue shirt in a sea of red and white. But have to say that the fans here are the good kind. Everyone was friendly and told me I was lucky to be at Angels stadium and not Dodgers stadium.

Finally, at 5 pm the gates opened, but couldn’t get through until first passed through the bag line. Our security person must have worked at the airport for his day job because he was checking everything, even makeup cases. Got to watch those women, might be carrying a derringer in there.

Through the gate and straight down to the right field line to watch the Royals warm up and have a talk with some of the professional autograph seekers. Can tell they are professionals because they lug books almost too heavy to carry with every baseball card in the land. Or have a bag full of balls (one for each club). Have to hand it to Danny Duffy, he was the first player I saw come over and scrawl his John Hancock on several cards and balls. Interesting tidbit for those who don’t know, Duffy writes right handed but throws lefty. Asked him about it and he said he was just weird that way. Not weird, just different.

Checked out my seats for Saturday and Sunday and then headed upstairs to find my Friday night seats. Have you ever felt noticeably out of place. Well my blue jersey drew second looks from just about everyone from fans, to security, to the purveyors of tray goods. Just keep telling them there had to be one person for them all to pick on.

Actually, 5569 and I checked over much of the stadium after it filled. We found about a half dozen of us, noticeable because they did not have on red or white. Not bad in a crowd of 44,100. The most blue we did see was on the US flag. Think the Angels are already trying to one up the Rangers as had a Texas sized flag for the National Anthem.

Found a nice group of people up where I was sitting and we had a good talk on the young Royals and “new” Angels while waiting for 5569 and his buddy to show. Almost had to yell to be heard though as Angels stadium has a very good (and very loud) speaker system. Almost wish I had brought ear plugs.

Let me say here that after a week of spring training games in small 7.500 seat stadiums, I was pretty much overwhelmed by Angels Stadium. Think could have filled all the fans from all the Cactus League stadiums into this one arena. Okay not quite but sure seemed like it. And I was sitting about as far away from home plate as my hotel to home plate at Surprise Stadium. But they were still good seats on front row of upper deck.

One down side is that did not get to listen to the game on radio as I planned. I had reception and could get into At Bat but there must have been so many people trying to use wireless internet that it just kept saying “authorising” or “buffering” so never did get to hear Steve or Denny. Sorry guys.

The game itself was everything it was projected to be up to the moment Crow got up and started warming up in the top of the 7th. Still not sure why Chen did not pitch one more inning as he was actually improving as the game went along. But that is the manager’s decision, not mine.

Second question is why there was no one up in the pen when Crow started the 8th. Holland got ready in about 3 minutes flat when Crow ran into trouble and I am positive Holland was not ready mentally or physically when he had to come in. Why Eiland was not out stalling and talking to Crow is a question only NY and DE can answer.

So in the end the Royals lost but it is only game one and hopefully there will be some positive lessons learned from that loss. A few for example:

1) When the top of the order does not hit, the Royals will not score. Yes, Weaver is that good, but you also have to question why Moose, Pena, Escobar and Yuni only struck out once combined while the top 4 struck out 10 times. Swinging for the fences maybe?

2) Frenchy needs to keep his head in the game. Getting picked off second was not one of his better career moves. Doubt it would have made a difference in the game and sure Frenchy will be the first to admit he goofed. Bet it does not happen again.

3) Moose and Escy need to have a discussion about when Moose goes for the ball and when he doesn’t. Maybe a simple word, “Mine” would suffice.

4) They Royals have a deep bullpen and need to use it. One inning a piece is plenty this early in the season, especially when your starter goes 6 strong innings. And 3 minutes to warm up is not enough time no matter how good the reliever is.

5) Rodriguez needs to talk to Yuni about covering the bag on balls hit to left and center instead of standing in no man’s land on the outfield grass. Can’t gun a guy down at second if the base is left unattended.

But like I said, one game of 162. Hopefully, the Royals will learn and make adjustments for game 2.

Finally, got to see the battle of the dueling fireworks after the game. So happened the post game fireworks at the stadium went off almost exactly in time with the fireworks show at Disneyland some 3 miles away. Was actually fun to watch the double show with the added impact of reflections and echos off all the buildings in between. Thought I was in the middle of a war zone there for a minute.

The fireworks show also helped us sneak out of the stadium ahead of the masses so we were home a lot earlier than expected. The  fireworks show was better outside the stadium anyway where could see the dueling battle between the Angels and Disney.

So that was the night of Game 1. Today the Royals return for Game 2 and as is always the case, hope springs eternal. Hochevar needs a good game and I think we will get it from him. Now just need the top of the lineup to hit singles and doubles and leave the home run swing in the bag for a day. 5569 and I will be behind the Royals dugout today about 6 rows up. Won’t be hard to spot us on the Fox telecast. We will be the only ones NOT wearing Red and White.