Opening Day Day: A Hopkins Tradition
Jono Zarrilli '16, Managing Sports Editor
The birds are chirping, the plants are flowering, and the days are lengthening…spring has sprung, and Opening Day is here!
After months of trades, free agent acquisitions, and anticipation, 30 teams from 25 metro areas and six fiercely competitive divisions compete for 10 playoff spots and, ultimately, one trophy. The top storylines for the 2016 season include the Cubs’ stacked roster that is poised to end their 108-year World Series drought, the final season of Red Sox legend David Ortiz, the expected emergence of the Houston Astros, and the potentially historic Yankees’ bullpen, headed by Aroldis Chapman.
“Opening Day Day is super exciting because you get to see all the teams supported by Hopkins students and argue that your favorite is the best. For example, we see Simon Doss-Gollin ’16 sporting the jersey of baseball’s most boring team, the St. Louis Cardinals.”
-Neha Srivastava ’16
“Carlos Correa of the Astros is my dark horse MVP candidate. He was the number overall pick, sent 22 out the park, and stole 14 bases, while playing in just 99 games last year. If he could keep up that level of production and improve his batting average, I think he’s primed for a career year.”
- Andrew Mosellie ’16
“Opening Day Day was my attempt at starting a Hopkins tradition, largely out of something I saw happening for years but on a smaller, more organic scale. I thought it was great to see a larger percentage of team gear on campus in the spring, which--of course--was really just a reflection of the great optimism that surrounds the beginning of a season. As a result, you learn about rivals or allies--or baseball fans at all--that you never knew about.”
- Josh Gleason, Faculty
"This season is going to be very emotional watching David Ortiz play in his last games ever. He has been a guy I have looked up to growing up, a true model of loyalty and clutch performance.”
- Miles Lourenco ’16
Whereas Hopkins students too frequently spend their Super Bowl Sunday writing lab reports and completing essays, and the NBA Playoffs are often impossible to watch due to A.P. Exams and Finals, Opening Day Day is an official tradition on the Hill. On April 4, Hilltoppers will ignore their social inhibitions and wear their favorite team’s jersey, no matter how much they get made fun of. In the words of Marlins Fan and Hopkins faculty member, Josh Gleason, “On Opening Day Day, everyone’s team has hope.” The thrill of arguing team allegiances with friends and constantly checking your phone to see if your favorite team is winning their first game is complemented by a traditional ballpark-themed lunch prepared by the Dining staff.
Back