Cincinnati Reds Opening Day tickets sell out in 12 minutes

On Monday, April 4, 2005, I will attend my 21st consecutive Cincinnati Reds Opening Day baseball game. I have attended every Cincinnati Reds Opening Day game since I was less than five months old.

Tickets for this year’s game against the New York Mets sold out in a record 12 minutes, beating the record of 16 minutes set last year. My mother was one of the few who got six of the coveted 17,000 available tickets.

The starting lineup is decided, except for shortstop and right field. The competition for shortstop is between Rich Aurilia and Felipe Lopez. Statistically, Aurilia is doing better than Lopez. For example, he is batting .462 compared to Lopez’s .333. Therefore, Aurilia will likely get the starting shortstop position. The competition for right field is between Austin Kearns and Willy Mo Pena. Statistically, Kearns is doing better than Pena. In spring training he is batting .368 compared to Pena’s .190. Therefore, Kearns will likely get the starting right field position.

No matter what the starting lineup is for Opening Day, the Reds will beat the New York Mets.