I was a junior in high school in 1981, sitting in class one April when I was summoned to the principal's office.
``What did I screw up now," I wondered to myself.
When I arrived at the office, my father sat there with a grim look on his face, ``There's an emergency at home and I need you with me," he said. ``I'll tell you about it in the car."
I thought the house had burned down or something had happened to another family member. Once we got to the car, the old man handed me a pair of tickets to the White Sox home opener. ``Score!" he said.
It was Carlton Fisk's first home game with the White Sox after leaving Boston. And No. 72 came to the plate in the fourth against Pete Vuckovich with the bases loaded and crushed a grand slam. The White Sox defeated Paul Molitor and the Brewers 9-3 that day. And I was there to see it.
Every Opening Day, I think about that day. Getting pulled out of school to go to a ballgame. Wow.
Today's opener starts at 3:00 p.m. It might be late enough for kids to get through with school and still make it down to the park with the parents. There's only one Opening Day in this town each year. If you have a chance to be a part of it, get involved.
Will check back later when lineups are released. Will also see if Luke Hughes is here.
