Going through some flotsam and jetsam from baseball games past, I came upon this coupon from an A's-Devil Rays' game, then noticed that it said Inaugural Game. Sure enough, 1998 was the year that the Devil Rays, now the Rays, debuted. I don't even remember being at that particular game, the first played between the two team, but I must have been. I wonder if the ticket is kicking around somewhere. The Phillies today play the first game of spring training, with Florida State University. Chase Utley will not play because of soreness and Jimmy Rollins will miss the game because he's been invited to the White House for a Motown gala. Wow! Amazingly, some people are actually questioning whether Rollins should be playing. Right, skip the White House for an inconsequential game with college kids.
On Monday Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals was the subject of debate about the Cards' opening day starter. On Tuesday, he was, sadly , being talked about for season-ending surgery. No rhyme or reason to these things. It could happen anytime to any pitcher on any team.
