Thousands of people descend on downtown for a parade, the game, and the general excitement of this annual rite of spring. The young and old, male and female, tall and short, rich and poor, workers and nonworkers, locals and out-of-towners … most dressed in red.
Many workers do not go to work – and many of those who do are not as productive. Kids skip school – and many those who do not face a day of study halls or atypical activities. These behaviors happen every year – thus predictable – then normality follows the next day.
For those who do not know, professional baseball started in Cincinnati. For many years, a Reds home game served as the start to the Major League Baseball (MLB) season. In recent years, that tradition has given way to MLB’s quest for more money, but the Cincinnati Reds remain as the only team that starts the season with a home game – so this day was Opening Day…a special day in Cincinnati … and no other city in the country embraces the day as my city along the Ohio River.
After a horrendous winter, weather brought us sun and warmth. With this setting serving as the perfect opportunity for me to get away from the move-related activities, I went downtown to join thousands of others who were also dressed in red.
For ease and convenience, I parked on the Newport, Kentucky side of the river, and emerged from the garage at Newport on the Levy …
… then had lunch at this establishment (the owners won venture capital money on Shark Tank) …
… the Cincinnati skyline and the quiet baseball stadium 4 hours before game time
… the Ohio side with three sports venues on the river and a glimpse of the Brooklyn Bridge’s prototype
… looking back to Covington, Kentucky and the other end of our famous bridge
… while walking beside the stadium, banners remind me of important events in Reds history
… fans eagerly awaiting the start of the festivities around Great American Ball Park
… but many others found a party a short distance away
… but for me on this day, I was heading into the city center where thousands gathered for an Opening Day tradition … and that will come in a post next week … besides, I didn’t have a ticket to the game.
Enjoy, Frank.
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Elyse,
This day was quite festive and a wonderful opportunity to people watch. Although I went by myself, I had a wonderful time.
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Loved these shots, Frank. What a beautiful day by the Ohio River! Daniel Liebeskind designed the addition to the Denver Art Museum – The Hamilton Building. It’s quite unusual and also very angular. Here’s a link to a shot of it if you’re interested: http://www.arch2o.com/denver-art-museum-daniel-libeskind/ I must admit I was a big Reds fan in the 70s – loved Pete Rose and Johnny Bench.
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Cathy,
After the horrendous winter, this day was wonderful … sunny, low 60s, light cool breeze … plus the festive atmosphere.
Wow … thanks for the pics to the Denver museum. That’s quite the design … so I encourage anyone reading this to follow the link.
Today, the Big Red Machine refers to the team, but the Great Eight refers to the starters. On this day, SS Davey Concepcion was in town to throw the first pitch. So cheers to your Reds fan days!
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How fast do opening day tickets sell?
Looks like a beautiful day to go to the park. Even if you didn’t make it into the park.
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Guapo,
Opening Day tickets are very hard to get. Through the years, the team has sold tickets in different ways. This year was a Sunday morning sale … and people were lined up on Friday for the morsels that remain.
The weather was wonderful, and perfect for the day! More on the day next week (hopefully);
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What? No ticket? Sounds like us as an Iowa Football game a few years ago. We’ve never been to one. So, we took the local fan train in and got off at the stadium. Walked around taking in the sights and sounds. Then we got on the train and headed back to our car and home. Watched the game from home in our living room.
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Jim,
Opening Day tickets are hard to get … and second-sale tickets are expensive. I’ve never been … and this was the first time I went into town to enjoy much of the day.
Hopefully the two of you will get to go to a Hawkeye game in the future. Heck … did you tell students you’ve never gone?
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Nice shots on what looked like such a lovely day, Frank. Send some of that warm weather this way! For what it costs to see the Yankees over here, I’d rather spend that money on a Broadway play. Also, Milton HATES the Yankees. But he did have a crush on A-Rod, and when they last won the World Series (2009), Johnny Damon.
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Lame,
I imagine that when Milton gets something in his head (as hating the Yankees), it sticks! I can’t imagine the cost of their games … and to think they get it!
That weather was a week ago this past Monday … so you probably got it – thus already gone. 😦
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Milton and I both prefer tennis. Maybe this will be the year we attend the US Open in Queens. I think he’d be in his bliss there. As for sticking with hating a team, I think that’s true of everyone. I grew up in San Francisco a Giants and Niners fan. Teams that remain dear to me to this day. Suddenly my sister is rooting for Oakland, the A’s and Raiders prompting me to wonder, “Are we related?”
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I hope you get to go the US Open. … another event with (I presume) pricey tickets. But hey … to attend a dream does come with a price.
Cheers to staying to your roots with teams … especially through thick and thin … and boo to anyone changing teams with the wind … or to those having multiple teams so they can have a winner most of the time.
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You’ve got that right about the cost of US Open tickets. But what big time sporting event is cheap in the US? If we went it would probably be a day over the Labor Day Weekend when the day pass is a decent deal. I’m using the word deal very liberally. Unlike Milton I can stomach the Yanks – they and the football Giants are my NY teams but deep down I’ll always bleed Giant black & orange and Niner red & gold. Those teams are in my DNA.
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When the Niners and the New York Football Giants play, how does your heart deal with the tug of war?
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Niners.
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… and said with speed and conviction!
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That is a real festival event you have there Frank – what a wonderful thing….. seems like everyone would have a story or two to tell about where they were and what they got up to the day the season started! I love hearing about these unique traditions.
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Pauline,
Festive is a good word for the annual event. Pro baseball is in 30 cities, and the long-traditions are only here. Families make it tradition too … thus it gets passed on over time. I will show more next week.
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Great shots. I love opening day, even if it is in my living room. Always leave work to catch the first pitch. Indeed the Big Red Machine was the best.
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Audra,
Opening Day in every city is an exciting time … but it’s super-sized here. The Big Red Machine is still beloved here … and whenever one makes an appearance, excitement spikes. SS Dave Concepcion come from Venezuela to throw out the first pitch this year … of course he received a great ovation .. I attend the game several years ago when the team retired his number. A fabulous player and the best shortshop in the game of his era … Cooperstown worthy!
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Beautiful photographs – here is Opening Day, a wonderful tradition.
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Mary,
Thank you .. it was a beautiful day for our annual tradition … so blue skies, a river, and tall buildings make it easy.
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I’m not a baseball fan, myself. But yes–baseball is to Cincinnati what basketball is to Lexington. And we sadly lost that final game!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
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Kathy,
One doesn’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the festivities around Opening Day in Cincinnati … so that’s OK.
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Grilled cheese donut? Now that sounds rather tasty. 🙂 Thanks for the glimpses of Cincinnati. A place I’ve yet to visit.
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Sylvia,
Glad you enjoyed glimpses of Cincinnati. Given the beautiful day, more than one post will come from the pics.
Here’s some info for you about the grilled cheese donut.
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I still want to know, who thinks of this.
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I think they explain it in one of the videos (but I’m not sure). They love adding toppings as blueberries to the donut … and even meats…. Nonetheless, two local guys started their food endeavor from a food cart … and then to a restaurant … then another …. then to Shark Tank (they won) …. and are now franchising!
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I watched, I thought they were funny. I even (slightly) understand the blending of sweet and savory. But Frank, donuts?
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You are know encouraging me to head down there very soon!
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I didn’t realize how pretty Cincinnati is, love the bridge picture.
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Catherine,
The Queen City has a good setting to be the initial Gateway to the West. In the coming months, I’ll post more about it.
The Suspension Bridge is a Cincinnati jewel … and many don’t realize it is the prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge.
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Is it true that Cleveland is Cincinnati without the glitter?
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Mudge,
To me, that statement would be false because I see them more as opposites, but with some similarities.
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I would be curious about your comparison of the two cities. If you have not already done so, it would be an interesting post.
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Your comment got me thinking … so it is in the thought stage.
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Mmmm. Sounds like the powers that be should make this a holiday for all 🙂
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Colline,
There has been talk that the city make it an official holiday. Then again, who would that actually affect. Nonetheless, it’s a good day … but probably not a productive one.
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Tis the season! 🙂
Oct 21 1976 – YAY Reds 😉
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RoSy,
To Cincinnatians, the team from 1970-76 is a legendary team composed of legends.
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No wait, Grilled Cheese Donuts? Who thinks of these things? Are they good? Did you have this for lunch?
The pictures are beautiful. One of these days I am coming to visit! Sounds like a wonderful day.
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Val,
Although I have eaten at Tom+Chee multiple times, I have not had a grilled cheese donut. It’s on my radar, but maybe I’ll have to move it up on my priority! … By the way, see my reply to Sylvia (aDayInParadise) with the two links to videos.
It was a beautiful day …. and I have another post planned about the day ready for next week!
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I am so behind in my reading, I skipped other replies (my bad). I will have to come back and look and read.
I don’t know why am falling so behind these days, seems two days is my average.
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That’s OK …. but I put two videos about the grilled cheese donut.
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Personally, I prefer the view on HD TV, the mute and pause buttons and the comforting proximity of the bathroom. But I get it. The smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd. (Or is it the other way around?) 😆 😆
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Jim,
Keep in mind that I didn’t go to the game because I didn’t have a ticket … and given the nice day, street value was high. Nonetheless, Opening Day is a special day in Cincinnati … thus different from other MLB cities.
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Sounds like a heck of a Big day and party! I bet it was fun. I haven’t been to a baseball game in a few years, reading your post (though we don’t do things as grand as you guys) it made me want to go to a game and grab a beer and hotdog! Great post, Frank – enjoy!
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Hood,
Opening Day is a grand day in Cincinnati … a special day for all! More pics coming soon.
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Very cool pictures – love that little red twirly thing by the river
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Mouse,
Oh … the paddlewheel is the National Steamboat Monument … here’s a closeup pic. https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/235499362/
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Cool! One nice thing about spring is we all get out and rediscover stuff we pass by all year long. Thanks
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🙂
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how can they be the only team that starts the season at home? half the league has to start at home, no? except the ones in australia or wherever.
also, did you know the reds are the only team to ever record an undefeated season? back in 1800’s.
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Rich,
The days of the Reds being the MLB opener are gone, but they are the only team that starts each season at home … weather permitting. Yes … I knew about the undefeated season way back in the day!
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do you mean they’re the only team that starts at home every year? whereas some teams start at home this year, not necessarily next year, etc. oh, now i realize what you meant. mean. said. typed. shoot me now.
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Cheers to you for figuring it out. 😉
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hollow victory
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I enjoyed seeing the ballpark and hearing about the crowd enthusiasm, Frank. I always know at least one person who skips out on work to go to Opening Day for the Dodgers. But I don’t think there are city-wide crowds. My husband and son have already made it to one game. I’m not an avid baseball fan, but I do enjoy going to the stadium when possible. I hope your team does well, Frank. Just don’t tell my family I said that! 🙂
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Debra,
I’m very confident that Opening Day in Cincinnati is quite unique, plus keep in mind that no other team opens the season at home every year. Given the great weather after the lousy winter, downtown estimates were over 100K … and you’ll see more probably this week. Meanwhile, my Reds are started the season with a resounding thud … the city is in panic mode.
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Ah, the ritual of spring sports! The Pirates’ opening game is always a big black and gold event here in the ‘Burgh.
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Lynn,
Greetings to you in Pittsburgh, another city with a long baseball history.
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Even though you didn’t have a ticket, I’m glad you still went to enjoy the festivities. I used to walk by Fenway every night on my way home from work and it was always a fun atmosphere on a game night. There’s just something about it. Sorry I’m late–too much fun this weekend 🙂
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TBM,
I’m glad you saw this post … (FYI: … more on the next post) …. walking around Fenway on game day is a treat … and even I have had that pleasure!
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Great pictures and I have always wanted to visit this ballpark. Enjoy what I’ve seen on TV over the years since its opening. We just now have to get the city a better ball club…like here in Philly. I believe both the Reds and Phils may be competing for the most losses this season unfortunately. But at least we have nice fields to play upon. Wonderful post Frank.
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Bruce,
Opening Day in Cincinnati is a celebration every year … no matter the expectations or the past, the city embraces this day like no other. Your team beat us out last year with one more loss, but given the off-season moves, I’m confident the Reds can surpass the Phillies in that department. Very sad isn’t it.
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