As we pull away from the harsh winter we have endured, there are many things to look forward to. The sun is out, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and… wait. What’s that sound? Tens of thousands of people are funneling into stadiums across the country to be a part of the greatness that comes alongside the spring months. That is right, everyone: baseball season is back! Our favorite teams and players have stepped up to the plate and are ready to swing for the fences. And to any die-hard Red Sox fans such as myself, we not only get to enjoy America’s pastime, but we also get America’s most beloved ballpark, Fenway Park. Buy your peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and a Fenway Frank, put on all of your favorite merch, and get ready to root for your favorite team, because we are so back.Â
What the game means for me
I will be completely transparent: I only recently got into baseball, and it is one of my favorite things I have ever done. Living in Massachusetts my entire life, I have always supported all of the Boston sports teams. However, I was never as drawn to baseball as I was to other sports. This all changed last summer when I went to my first (and soon to be first five) Red Sox games. The main takeaways of what enchanted me with the sport were the thrill it gave me. It sounds corny, but the energy, vibes, happiness, and community that came alongside being at those games were electric. It was the push that I needed to truly understand why it is so loved and for me to love it so much myself.Â
Focusing back on opening day itself, the Red Sox showed up and showed out. With some games taking place on March 25th and many more taking place the days following, it was an opening week to remember. Teams started with big wins, including the Red Sox defeating the Cincinnati Reds 3-0. Multiple rookies made strong debuts across the board with Red Sox Connelly Early being their first pitcher since 1916 Babe Ruth to only allow 1 run over 5 innings, according to the Boston Red Sox website.
An incredible rookie performance also came from Chase DeLauter of the Cleveland Guardians, with the MLB website talking about his amazing start with 4 homers in 3 games. And of course, the returning players who we all know and love are back and better than ever. As much as I cannot root for the Yankees being a Red Sox fan, Aaron Judge is never to be ignored. Judge is coming off the 2025 AL MVP as well as hitting two home runs in his last three games, with what the MLB website is referring to as one of the “two biggest stars in the series.” Spring ball was prepping these players, and they are coming in hot for the 2026 season.
What baseball means to america
Some may be wondering, “Who really cares about baseball season starting again?” The simple answer to that is how baseball is deemed America’s pastime for a reason. It is a game that everyone knows and is constantly on the TV multiple days a week for seven months. The atmosphere of going to the ballpark on a warm day, getting your favorite foods, and having your biggest worry be whether your team will win or not is exhilarating. The average number of people in attendance at all games at Fenway Park totals about 560,440. Hundreds of thousands of people cared enough that it was back to physically go and see the game played live again.
The feelings associated with baseball, and specifically the MLB, are something that cannot be replicated. It is fun, exciting, nostalgic, and something you do not know how much you love until it is gone. But it always comes back.
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