MARK MY WORD: ST. LOUIS' OPENING DAY OF BASEBALL IS LIKE A HOLIDAY

Play ball!

There's nothing like Opening Day in Major League Baseball, particularly in St. Louis where the sport is almost a religion.

Joni and I went to the Cardinals' home opener last week.

Not surprisingly, it was a party atmosphere both before and during the game against the Chicago Cubs.

Cardinal fans by the thousands showed up hours before the game just for the chance to win free merchandise, even Cardinal tickets.

Fans chowed down free doughnuts and ice cream cones. They picked up free "Go Cards" fans shaped like baseballs and grabbed up free popcorn too.

Fans stood in a long line just for the chance to pull the KMOX Radio slot machine lever for the chance to win Cardinal tickets. Joni and I didn't win any tickets, but we did each get a free, Cardinal Red mug, courtesy of the Voice of St. Louis.

Of course, the real voice of St. Louis was Jack Buck, the venerable Cardinal broadcaster who was among the dignitaries who spoke to the crowd from a temporary tent-covered stage outside Busch Stadium.

Buck is getting up there in age. His health isn't what it used to be. But Buck's voice remains as young as ever.

Buck pulled a $100 bill out of his wallet and handed it to an older gentleman in the crowd near the edge of the stage. Buck told the man to have dinner on him after the baseball game.

Buck's son, Joe, quipped that would be enough money to pay for an appetizer at Buck's restaurant.

The Cardinal owners took the stage too, handing out a number of free tickets for the ball game to eager fans seeking to see the sold-out game.

At a park near the stadium, fans bought food and beverages and listened to the pounding beat of bands.

Big, beefy men thought nothing of wearing red-bead necklaces or ones shaped like baseballs.

Being the big spender that I am, I parted with a whole $2 just so Joni could wear two sparkling, red halos.

One bald guy painted his head like a baseball, complete with the stitching. He stood out in the crowd.

Old and young alike wandered around the downtown. Many of the fans were clearly attached to their beverage cups.

St. Louis fans know how to party; although I'm sure Opening Day is a celebration at every major league ballpark.

Americans know how to party. After all, the Revolutionary War began with a party: The Boston Tea Party.

Opening Day is fun. Even the people at the concession stands seem happy on the first day of the season.

It's not until the dog days of summer that they really get tired of waiting on all those customers.

Inside the ballpark, fans got to their seats early to watch the festivities.

Georgia Frontiere, owner of the Super Bowl champion Rams, threw out the first pitch. It didn't go very far, but no one seemed to mind. Besides, St. Louis fans have seen bad pitching before.

A number of the Rams were introduced to the happy crowd. They, too, got a big cheer, although they didn't look nearly as invincible without their shoulder pads and helmets.

Big Mac didn't play because of a bad back. But the Cards won the game, 7-1, a clearly respectable score for the start of the season.

The kids weren't along for the ride. But they'll get to go to their share of games this summer. Besides, the weather was more suited for polar bears than baseball fans.

Joni and I sat huddled in our seats as the temperature dropped and a brisk wind whipped through the ballpark. Early April in St. Louis is a tricky time weather-wise. Our summer pastime seems strangely out of place when finicky April days seem more like winter than spring.

Chilled to the bone, we left before the end of the game, armed with plenty of Opening Day souvenirs and the knowledge that there were only 87 games left before the All-Star break.

By then, things should be sizzling in the ballpark. Just ask the weatherman.

Mark Bliss is a staff writer at the Southeast Missourian. You can reach him at (573) 335-6611, Ext. 123 or mbliss@semissourian.com.