Alright, folks, let’s talk about a day that’s always circled on my calendar – the 2018 Reds Opening Day. I remember it like it was yesterday. I woke up that morning with the kind of excitement you feel as a kid on Christmas. It was March 29th, the earliest Opening Day in history, and the city of Cincinnati was buzzing.

I got dressed in my Reds gear – you know, the whole nine yards: jersey, cap, the lucky socks. Then I headed downtown. The atmosphere was electric. Everyone was pumped for the start of the baseball season. I remember I tried to grab a pre-game hot dog from my favorite vendor but the lines were crazy! It seemed like the entire city had the same idea.
Now, the plan was to watch the Reds take on the Washington Nationals at 4:10 p.m. It was the 142nd Opening Day in Cincinnati, a pretty big deal. But then, Mother Nature decided to throw a curveball. The game got postponed! Can you believe it? We were all bummed, but hey, that’s baseball for you.
So, instead of watching the game, I ended up wandering around with my friends, soaking in the pre-game festivities. The streets were packed, people were laughing, and there was this shared sense of anticipation for the season ahead. That’s one of the things I love about Opening Day – it’s not just about the game, it’s about the tradition, the community, and the start of something new.
A Little More About the Reds
A little bit history about the team. The Reds, playing in the National League, they’ve been around since 1882, with five World Series titles under their belt – in 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, and 1990. They’ve also snagged nine NL pennants. It’s pretty cool to think about all the history wrapped up in this team. Oh, and get this – even big shots like George Clooney and David Letterman are die-hard Reds fans. Clooney even tried out for the team twice!
Anyway, the game was rescheduled for the next day, Friday, at the same time. And guess what? The weather was perfect. The Reds were ready, the fans were ready, and the energy in the stadium was through the roof.

Here are some random facts I picked up:
- Opening Day Tradition: It’s a huge deal for baseball fans, and Cincinnati really goes all out with parades and all sorts of celebrations.
- 2018 Season: The Reds ended up with a 67-95 record that year. Not their best, but hey, there’s always next season, right?
Even though that 2018 Opening Day didn’t go exactly as planned, it was still a blast. It reminded me why I love baseball and why Opening Day is such a special tradition. It’s about more than just a game, it’s about the start of something new and the shared joy of the sport. Can’t wait for the next one!