Opening Day 2013

The 2013 Major League baseball season began last night as the Houston Astros hosted the Texas Rangers. The Astros defeated the Rangers by a score of 8-2 thanks in part to Rick Ankiel's three-run homer in sixth inning.

Now you're probably asking yourself, "Wasn't this an exhibition game? I mean, for it to be part of the regular season, isn't this too early for an Inter-League game? I don't understand. Have the schedule makers lost their minds? Again?!" The answer is no as the Houston Astros are now part of the American League West. There is indeed no more a constant thing than change.

The rest of the openers will take place today and tomorrow. And of special note, New York City will be host to two openers on the same day since April 17, 1956. On that day, the New York Giants beat the Pittsbugh Pirates 4-3 at the Polo Grounds while the Brooklyn Dodgers lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 8-6 at Ebbetts Field - the Yankees host my beloved Red Sox (I don't expect much this year but I'll be here for them) while the Mets host the San Diego Padres.

Both parks are gone now and in their place, apartment buildings. And the teams have called California home since 1958. And for you, a then-and-now comparison as offered by the New York Daily News:

Number of baseball teams in New York:
1956: 3
2013: 2

Hot dog:
1956: 5 cents
2013: $6.25

Most expensive seat:
1956: $3 (Ebbets Field)
2013: $300 (Yankee Stadium)

Highest paid player:
1956: Duke Snyder, $44,000 (Brooklyn Dodgers)
2013: Alex Rodriguez, $29 million (New York Yankees)

National League leader in innings pitched:
1956: Bob Friend, 314.3
2012: R.A. Dickey, 233.7 

Play ball!