CINCINNATI -- The season opener Monday in Cincinnati had two start times -- 2:05 p.m. (EDT) and 12:05 p.m. (BST). The actual start was 2:05 EDT while 12:05 BST was mandated by law, it also was a joke.
Cincinnati City Council, unhappy the Boston Red Sox's season opener Monday was scheduled to start one hour before the Reds, passed a law last week creating a new time zone -- Baseball Savings Time (BST) at Riverfront Stadium. According to BST, the Reds' game began at 12:05, an hour ahead of the Red Sox.
Council members approved the fake starting time on an 8-1 vote.
'It's ridiculous,' said lone dissenter John Mirlisena. 'It's silly.'
Since the Reds are the oldest major-league team, it used to be customary to have them start the season earliest. ...
The new season brought new uniforms for the Reds: thin red and white stripes have been added to the sides of the pants.
During the first homestand, the Reds will wear black armbands in memory of former Cincy slugger Ted Kluszewski, who died last week.
New Astroturf has been installed at Riverfront Stadium, where the All-Star Game is scheduled July 12. The turf allows water to flow through the surface to a drainage system, which should eliminate standing water during a rain and make the field playable immediately after a rain. ...
Monday marked Opening Day No. 19 for Cincinnati Manager Pete Rose in a Reds' uniform.
'Opening Day is probably more special to me than what itwas when I was a player,' Rose said. 'When I was a player, I was only responsible for myself and what I did on Opening Day. Now, I'm responsible for all 24 players, my coaches, trainer and equipment manager.'