What's Making Me Talk: What We Should Remember From MLB Opening Week

(Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

The general joy that comes from Major League Baseball’s opening day is fantastic.

When the time comes, people usually state what they love about the occasion and I don't need to tell you the run-of-the-mill type comments that come from pieces about the first day of baseball.

Well I'm past it and you should be too.

I love opening day, don't get me wrong, it's a reason for celebration, elation, hope, optimism, nervousness, thrill, and even some pain.

But man, I love looking back on opening day.

Think about all the opening days in the past and who the heroes were. Think about all the good stories that started to come around.

Then remember just how many of those heroes stuck around and how many of those stories maintained themselves.

For instance, look at some of the performances and games from last year.

Last year, the Tampa Bay Rays won their first season opener in eight years. Many wondered, especially after they finished April with their hair on fire, if that success would continue. It did.

The Detroit Tigers started the year in awful fashion. They got swept by the Royals and their monster offense even got shutout by Brian Bannister. Many thought that wouldn't last. It did.

Remember the big days by Nate McLouth and Xavier Nady for the Pirates? Nate McLouth, really? Yes, Nate McLouth, an NL All-Star in 2008.

Remember Franklin Gutierrez hitting a big home run for the Indians in their win over Chicago? No? Probably because he didn't do much after that. You might remember him doing it this year though, because, well...He did it again this year.

Look, things happen on opening day that don't really matter. The Washington Nationals out-slugged the eventual World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. But it's still fun to see the following and then look back on it all a few months later.

So, here are the lasting memories that you need to remember a few months from now. This way you can look back and say, "Man, that was pretty meaningless."

Daniel Murphy is one of those heroes of opening day that you wonder about being around later this year.

But he's also one of those ones that could very well be one of this year's breakout players. All the stories floating around are about that Murphy kid, and how he loves to hit.

It was a 1-5 day, but he single-handedly knocked in both Met runs to win the game.

There are a few things to take away from Texas' win over Cleveland.

First off on Cleveland's side, Cliff Lee gave up seven runs in one game. He gave up just four runs in the entire month of April in 2008. Is that 2008 Cliff Lee really gone that much?

Plus the Indians offense sputtered against Kevin Millwood, who said he felt much more stronger. Has Mike Maddux really fixed this rotation with the idea of, gasp, " conditioning."

Two offensive notes I have for the Rangers. Has Jarrod Saltalamacchia arrived? He seems to hit every time the Indians are the opposition, but he sure did put on a display for the Rangers.

Is Hank Blalock back? Sure does seem like it. He may be swinging good, but if he stays healthy, Texas won’t miss Milton Bradley so much.

History was made in Arizona, in fact, it was made twice.

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