It's the most wonderful time of the yeeeeaaaaaaaaaarrrrrr!

Well Ladies and Gentleman,

We have gotten through the Ides of March (literally, Mr. Clooney, Ryan Gosling and their film crews packed up their equipment and left the 'Nati weeks ago), the Madness of March is in its final weekend (see post this weekend), and we are approaching the beginning of April, my favorite month this year, because not only is it the month of my handsome fiance's birthday, Junior League Fashion Show, AND my wedding, but it also is the start of the 'Most wonderful time of the year'.....BASEBALL SEASON!! And today is the start of it all and probably my favorite sporting event of the entire year.....

OPENING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! R-E-D-S! REDS REDS! REDS!

Baseball season in general is the best time of the year: it means longer days, warmer days (hopefully), and spending a ton of time down at the ballpark with great friends watching America's pastime. 

Fun Fact: My hometown team, the mighty Cincinnati Reds, are considered the 'First Team in Baseball' as they were the first all-professional baseball team (other teams had amateur and professional players), and because of this, for many years the Reds opened the Major League Baseball season with the first Opening Day. But now, due to to the Yankees (who are ruining baseball, according to my fiance) with their ridiculous roster, payroll, and new shiny stadium (sorry Shari), the Reds are no longer the first game of the year, they are overtaken by the larger market teams that have more of what the media says is a 'National Appeal'. However, the Reds are always guaranteed opening up their season at home.

Opening Day in Cincinnati is full of wonderful festivities: the Opening Day parade (a great Cincinnati tradition), free cheese coney day at Skyline, and of course running into the hoards of people who are skipping work or cutting class to witness the current NL Central Division champs defend their title against the Milwaukee Brewers. Our Dominican Rocket, Edinson Volquez (who also plays in the off season for my grandparents hometown team, the La Romana Toros in the DR), will face Yovani Gallardo (who the Reds have dominated in the past) and a much improved Brewers team, headed up by the abnormally large Prince Fielder (son of Hall of Famer Cecil Fielder). Prince is a first baseman and a very strong bat, he's in a contract year (meaning a good season will fatten his wallet a little more on his next contract), so I have a feeling he will be on his A-Game. Our Redlegs are coming off a banner year, where they won the division but then fell to the NL East Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies, who have the sickest pitching staff in Major League Baseball (Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay and Joe Blanton). This year, our National League MVP, first baseman Joey Votto (our Canadian love), right fielder Jay Bruce (my projection for this year's NL MVP), 2nd baseman Gold Glove winner and all around good guy Brandon Phillips, will lead this team to VICTORY!!!!!!! Gotta love my Reds. I will also be rooting for the Red Sox (much to my fiance's chagrin) and the San Francisco Giants (until we face them in the playoffs) this year. To get you jacked up at least for Reds Opening day, watch this link to the greatest day in recent Reds history: the shot heard 'round the 'Nati: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12563755

What to wear to the game: You don't have to sacrifice fashion to support your team! Especially now that almost all teams have a women's line of apparel. But please for the love of God, do not buy a pink team shirt/hat/anything - your team is NOT pink. Also, for 23 of the 32 MLB teams Victoria's Secret has created the Major League Collection for their PINK line - it's really cute and girl friendly, unfortunately, the Reds are not included in this collection :(. If you want to get  jersey tshirt (looks like a baseball jersey, but is a tshirt), I would go for the Children's sizes for a more tailored look - and they're cheaper than the adult sizes! If you do not want to wear a team logo, but still want to support, I suggest going to the nearest American Apparel or department store and investing in a tee in your team's colors. I switch back and forth from Reds tshirts, red polo or red polo dress, and an American Apparel red deep v. Shoes are always a great way to support as well - I am currently in the market for a pair of red Tory Burch flats or Jack Rogers sandals to wear to games. Also, wear a baseball cap! It's great for a bad hair day and it's an excuse to put your hair in pigtails :).  There is no need to sacrifice fashion to support your team! Support them in style!

Today it is a high of 43 degrees in Cincinnati, so I will be wearing skinny jeans, Uggs, a black long sleeve tee under my Aroldis Chapman (the Cuban Missile) jersey tee shirt, an awesome Reds team jacket, my worn in Reds fitted cap and my Reds earrings. A perfect outfit for a chilly Opening Day.

Readers, send pictures (to cassiessportsskinny@gmail.com) of your Opening Day outfits and I will post them to the blog tomorrow!

Well, it's time for me to get ready to head down to the ballpark, so I wish all of you a happy Opening Day and a little something to get you into the baseball mood....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc

xoxo,

Cass