Opening day is finally here

Calling all baseball fans, calling all baseball fans. It is time to wake up from your 4 month hibernation. It is time to dust off your mitts, buy your tickets, and sing “Take me out to the ball game”.

Once again opening day is upon us. The day every baseball fan eagerly waits for after the last pitch of the World Series. It is a day for all of us fans to gather together and party. Then join in all the revelry at the ballpark that builds up to the first pitch.

This year will be extra special for all of the fans of the Seattle Mariners. First, the start will be at Safeco Field this year. Second, it is the return of the king as Felix Hernandez takes the mound for his 11^th opening day start. Third, after a long absence we will once again see Ichiro in the outfield.

After some sub par starts, atleast by King Felix standards, and two stints on the disabled list, we thought we might have seen the last of the Felix. Despite spending some time on the injured list this Spring, Felix showed enough in his preseason starts to get the nod to take the mound on opening day. This will be his 11^th overall opening day start to give him the most in Seattle Mariners history.

In 2001, the Seattle Mariners signed a 26 year-old outfielder named Ichiro Suzuki. At the time he was already one of the best players in Japan but there was still some questions on how all of his talent would carry over to the major leagues. It didn't take long for him to answer all though questions when he was soon throwing players out from the outfield, amassing 200+ hits a season, and becoming one of the most decorated players in Mariners history. In 2012, his offensive numbers began to decline and the Mariners were trying to rebuild. Midway through that season the Mariners traded Ichiro to the New York Yankees. Now, he is back with the Mariners. At the age of 44 don't expect him to be the same Ichiro that amassed over 2,500 hits with the Seattle club.