It's baseball season. Everything's gonna be okay.

And this my friends, is going to be the summer of baseball. (All thanks to my full-time employment status changing from employed to not.)

I’m choosing to look on the positive side of things. I really am going to have more time for baseball this summer, and also have more access to watching it. The wonders of having all the Sportsnets except Ontario. (Don’t ask!) I’ve already been treated to Oak vs Sea, and the Red Sox/Yanks game that was on Sportsnet West tonight of all channels.

This should all in turn mean more blogging, which I couldn’t be happier about.

Other things I couldn’t be happier about…Shaun Marcum’s performance yesterday. True he gave up 3 runs when the Jays had the lead, but could you expect any more than an almost no-hit bid for the guy's first major league start in 18 months? Add on the fact he’s the first guy not wearing #32 to start the season in the last 8 years and well…I think we can all agree that Marcum was in awesome form. Good ol’ #28 will have a no-hitter under his belt someday, mark my words.

I’m also very excited that Adam Lindy(Hop) will be here for a while. I won’t go into the logistics of the deal or how it’s just another organization friendly contract from our new GM (woo!). What I will comment on is the qualitative factor to this deal. He fits in with the picture the Jays are trying to create in terms of player attitude, game approach and overall chemistry. Whereas others who might’ve had more natural ability *cough, Rios, cough*, you can tell that Lind (along with the other young guys the Jays have signed recently and probably will sign before the end of the season) pay attention and are attentive to what’s going on. They give a damn and are present in the direction the Jays are going.

I like Adam Lind. I always have. I think he is an amazing talent at the plate and a good backup option in the outfield. He's proven he's willing to work hard to be the best player he can be (i.e. his improved defensive skills). He has always seemed incredibly affable and I couldn’t be happier for him, the Jays and us Jays fans that he’s with us for a while. I don’t think last year at the plate will be a fluke for him.

I’m glad Doc had an amazing start in Washington. Seeing him play in red instead of blue? Well…let’s just say I might have to imagine that it’s Canada Day every time he’s pitching. I’m sure that’ll wear off soon enough. A girl’s gotta do what she can, which will more than likely end up with me bying a Halladay jersey tshirt before June. (Go Phillies!)

I'm excited for every baseball season. The title of this post is a sentiment I have every year on Opening Day (even more so this year. Reason, see first paragraph of this blog.) But there's another piece to the excitement this year. We're standing at the beginning of a new era in Jays history. It's palpable. Part of me is more excited than ever to be at the home opener next week and feel this in person. You can hear it in the voices of any of the Jays when they speak, including Cito and the new boss (who's name I'll be able to spell without help by the end of the week. I have mastered Rzepczynski afterall...)

I love Doc, I always will. He will always be one of the most special pieces of my being a baseball fan and a Jays fan, but I can't deny that his leaving and our having a new GM led to an interesting fork in the road. And now, we're taking the road less travelled (at least in the last 8 years). And isn't that supposed to make all the difference?

I have this inescapable feeling that something incredible is going to happen soon in Jaysland and I'm going to be around to see it from the beginning. Actively and awakenly there. After all...I was not far removed from having just entered double digits when the Doctastic era started. And being the biggest Jays fan I knew at that age didn't really lend itself well to staying as well informed about the team as I am now.

It's the dawning of a new day Jays fans. You ready?

I am. Bring on the close games, the blown saves, the youngsters maturing. Bring it all.

This season is going to rock!
JaysGirl5

P.S. I realise the possibility of growing pains =ing losses (some quite frustrating) will suck, but it's baseball season. Baseball season is finally here again. Really, what else matters?