T
TO Tower Fan
Guest
On Tuesday April 4th, the Jays opened up their much anticipated 2006 season to a sellout crowd (the 4th largest opening day crowd in team history and definitely one of the loudest). The excitement was built up because of a phenomenal off season spending spree that saw the Jays payroll climb from from around $40 million to just under $75 million after signing free agents and making some key trades. The Jays opened up their season facing the Minnesota Twins and it starred one of the best pitching matchups that you can possibly see in the American League, Roy Halladay vs Johan Santana. Both pitchers have won the Cy Young award for best pitcher and Roy was well on his way to winning it again last year before a line drive off his shin ended his season last year.
Unlike last year's home opener where I walked around the skydome during the game and took pics from many angles, this year I pretty much stayed in my seat because I wanted to focus on the game this time. Last year it seemed like I missed half the game because of all the walking around the concourses.
Anyways, here what I saw...
Newly renovated concourses in the Rogers Centre (Wood panelled ceiling, lots of neon lights covering the cement pillars etc):
Pregame ceremonies started at 6:45, a half hour before first pitch, apparently not a lot people were aware of this:
The Minnesota Twins being introduced:
Then it was the Jays turn:
Yup...that is indeed Blue Man Group....and no they didn't sing. They just played the national anthems while the crowd sang the lyrics...which was kinda cool:
Former Jay, Tony Batista
Minnesota Ace Johan Santana:
New Jay slugger Troy Glaus:
The Jays' Gold Glove centerfielder Vernon Wells:
New Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay tries to keep former Jays centerfielder Shannon Stewart from stealing a base:
Psy......Cho:
The improved Level of Excellence that honours the great people associated with the Blue Jays:
The man Roy Halladay himself:
Batista nails a home run in the 7th to cut the Toronto Lead down to 4-2:
7th inning stretch time:
Our much despised mascot, Ace (he consistently gets booed because people still have a fond attachment to our old mascot B.J. Birdy)
After getting beat up, Santana was pulled and replaced with Rincon:
Jays television announcer Pat Tabler standing up, Jamie Campbell is setting down being the T.V. set:
After giving up a pair of solo home runs in the 7th and 8th to cut the lead down to 4-3, it was time for Roy to hit the showers:
And what an ovation he got:
Hopefully the Jays' fans can start dreaming about adding a new banner sooner rather than later:
Alex Rios high fives his teammates as he returns to home plate after dinging a 2 run shot to push the lead to 6-3, which all but guaranteed a victory:
I love that sign "Finally a Toronto team that can win":
New Jays' $47 million closer B.J. Ryan (Best initials ever) had the crowd going crazy:
Lots of love for Kirby Puckett could be found at Skydome...there was even a pregame ceremony for him.
B.J. Ryan strikes out the last batter and the Jays win. They are now 22-8 in home openers, the best record of all Major League Baseball teams:
Unlike last year's home opener where I walked around the skydome during the game and took pics from many angles, this year I pretty much stayed in my seat because I wanted to focus on the game this time. Last year it seemed like I missed half the game because of all the walking around the concourses.
Anyways, here what I saw...
Newly renovated concourses in the Rogers Centre (Wood panelled ceiling, lots of neon lights covering the cement pillars etc):
Pregame ceremonies started at 6:45, a half hour before first pitch, apparently not a lot people were aware of this:
The Minnesota Twins being introduced:
Then it was the Jays turn:
Yup...that is indeed Blue Man Group....and no they didn't sing. They just played the national anthems while the crowd sang the lyrics...which was kinda cool:
Former Jay, Tony Batista
Minnesota Ace Johan Santana:
New Jay slugger Troy Glaus:
The Jays' Gold Glove centerfielder Vernon Wells:
New Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay tries to keep former Jays centerfielder Shannon Stewart from stealing a base:
Psy......Cho:
The improved Level of Excellence that honours the great people associated with the Blue Jays:
The man Roy Halladay himself:
Batista nails a home run in the 7th to cut the Toronto Lead down to 4-2:
7th inning stretch time:
Our much despised mascot, Ace (he consistently gets booed because people still have a fond attachment to our old mascot B.J. Birdy)
After getting beat up, Santana was pulled and replaced with Rincon:
Jays television announcer Pat Tabler standing up, Jamie Campbell is setting down being the T.V. set:
After giving up a pair of solo home runs in the 7th and 8th to cut the lead down to 4-3, it was time for Roy to hit the showers:
And what an ovation he got:
Hopefully the Jays' fans can start dreaming about adding a new banner sooner rather than later:
Alex Rios high fives his teammates as he returns to home plate after dinging a 2 run shot to push the lead to 6-3, which all but guaranteed a victory:
I love that sign "Finally a Toronto team that can win":
New Jays' $47 million closer B.J. Ryan (Best initials ever) had the crowd going crazy:
Lots of love for Kirby Puckett could be found at Skydome...there was even a pregame ceremony for him.
B.J. Ryan strikes out the last batter and the Jays win. They are now 22-8 in home openers, the best record of all Major League Baseball teams: