The first pitch is scheduled for about two hours from now. In the meantime, here are a few quotes from our center fielder, our shortstop, and our closer.
From Curtis Granderson:
One of the reasons guys like playing for the Yankees is because you know that even if you don’t have the most talented team every year, you’re going to be in the hunt and the team is going to make every effort to compete.
That doesn’t mean we’re going to win it all every year, of course, as last year showed. But knowing you’ll be in the mix is very confidence-building for a team. And I think our fans sense that. I know other fans think that makes them — and us — entitled, maybe, but it’s just a sense that you believe you’re supposed to win. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
Is there anything you don't like about this guy? By the way, even though I didn't do a predictions post, he's my pick for surprise player.
From our Captain, on the Yankees being "underdogs."
We have gone into the season favored. It really doesn't make a difference. Every season the goal is to win a championship.
Honestly, would you expect Jeter to say anything else? He must have taken a lesson from Crash Davis in cliches.
From the great Mariano Rivera, on the Red Sox being favorites:
We don't care about Boston. We cannot control what they do. We have a great team. Whatever people say doesn't mean anything.
He is absolutely right. The talking heads can make their predictions about the Red Sox winning the World Series all they want. They have a great team, and there's really no denying that. But the Yankees are a team filled with veterans who know what their goals are.
We are just about to begin the great marathon that is the Major League Baseball season. Opening Day is finally here, folks. Enjoy it, baseball is back. The quest for number 28 begins soon.
Curtis Granderson quote came from here. Jeter and Mo quotes from here.