The day after

I can't believe I'm writing this but I wish the Reds had a game tonight. Yesterday's game was so delightful -- the weather, the crowd, the ovation for Josh Hamilton -- that I could go for another game today. But I'm sure I'll get my fill.

Went to Game Day after the opener yesterday. I was walking up the steps into the place when I had to avoid a guy rolling down the steps -- literally rolling. Cincinnati likes to celebrate its unofficial holiday.

Probably was was asked 73 times "how they going do to do?" in the course of the day.

My short is answer is I think they'll be better than last year. The biggest thing you can really take out of yesterday's game was Aaron Harang's start. His 6.66 ERA in the spring had to have some fans doubting. After a quick survey of the box scores this morning, I'd rate Harang's start as the third best by anyone yesterday, a day when everyone throws their ace. Milwaukee's Ben Sheets threw a complete game against the Dodgers, and Felix Hernandez went 8 1/3 innings of two-hit baseball in the Seattle win over Oakland.

Programming note: The writer in the second ininng will begin Wednesday. Hal McCoy is first up. I'll make my '07 debut Thursday. It's a four-man deal this year. C. Trent replaces Marc Lancaster, and Mark Sheldon from mlb.com was added. Writers' rotation will be easier to follow than the broadcaster rotation. I think they sent the schedule to NASA to let a couple of rocket scientists work it out.