When my Orange alma mater was so cruelly snubbed by the selection committee, I knew it was time to refocus. Where can I redirect all of my sports minded energy you ask? The NHL playoffs? Wait, what channel is that on again? The NBA playoffs? Uh, no. NASCAR?! (Well yes actually, but this is neither the time nor the place). We all know what time it is, its baseball time. The beginning of baseball signifies all that is right in the world: spring temperatures, heated rivalries, and less clothing for co-eds. Sure, maybe it is 32 degrees in some major league parks, but I can guarantee the majority of them are sold out. This time of year is when the hardcore fan can dissect and over analyze until he or she is blue in the face. How will the new free agent shortstop do? (Hopefully better than the last.) Can the rookie at second stay in the majors all season? Is the Japanese import worth the money? Between the enormous popularity of fantasy baseball and the 24 hour sports network talking heads, you can literally have baseball all day, and all night. Now that its here, lets get to it. My friend called me about a month ago to tell me that tickets to Kansas City were about $200 dollars, and we could split a hotel for $80. I?m a dedicated fan, (I believe my buddy?s eyes were bigger than his stomach as well), but for some reason, I was a little bummed the Sox were opening in KC. However, the game was on in the afternoon (the fourth thing that is right in the world: daytime baseball) and when I put it on I was excited. That however, didn?t last too long. When your ace walks in a run in the first inning, you can usually justify it with ?Still working out the kinks.? Four innings later, Schilling is in the shower, and they are down by four. When the first pitch of Boston?s other Japanese import is hit into outer space, all hope is lost. So to recap, the Sox were creamed on national T.V. by the Royals. The Royals!! (However, to their credit, they got clutch hits and Meche pitched a terrific game). You can?t really get upset, because it?s the first game of the year. You can be annoyed though, that is ok. On Wednesday Beckett is on the hill, the Sox are in front, and The Nation is ready for a win. As I listen to the game (yes that?s right, I?m listening, because I don?t have Direct TV, which is the sole carrier of out of market games. Thanks Bud Selig. However, I did read that the cable Extra Innings package is back. Thanks Sen. John Kerry.) The local KC announcers (satellite radio carries home team broadcasts) are fixed on some guys who don?t have shirts on. One ?is hairier than most animals in the Kansas City Zoo.? Later on, he has ?more hair than an orangutan.? At the top of the inning, they realize the fans have red letters painted on their chests, spelling: N-O-T-S-O-B. Or Notsob. Dice-K makes his debut on Thursday. I love baseball.