Opening Day 2006

My story about the 2006 Timber Rattler home opener is up over at the home page.

If I were to tell you that your favorite team would have three hits in its home opener you'd be a bit nervous. Now, imagine that I would tell you that your favorite team's opponent in that home opener would collect twelve hits. Okay. Now, think about where your anxiety level would be at if I were to say that eight of the opponent's hits would be in the first five innings off your favorite team's starting pitcher.

Also available, but not publicized here are:
2005

The years 2002 through 2004 were tough ones for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Wisconsin was 179-234 in those three years. The only playoff year in those three was 2003 and that team was swept by Beloit in the first round. The 2004 season ended with a nasty seven-game losing streak. The 2005 season would be different right from the start.

2007

I remember it like it was last Opening Day. There was the buzz of the managerial debut of Ryne Sandberg for the Peoria Chiefs, the excitement of the Timber Rattler debut of Carlos Triunfel, the promise of the new season, and the bone-chilling wind of a massive high pressure system out of the Arctic.

2004

The 2004 home opener marked a few things for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Manager Steve Roadcap returned to the team for the first time since the 1999 season, the Midwest League debuts of a few future major leaguers, and an on-time start for the home schedule.

Also available over there and possibly promoted here
2002

It was a busy time for me before the start of the 2002 Timber Rattler season. At the time, I was still working as the play-by-play announcer for the Green Bay Gamblers hockey team. This was my third year of being the announcer for both teams, but it was the first time that the Gambler regular season overlapped with the start of the Timber Rattler season.

2003

There was a lot of confidence around the Stadium leading up to Opening Day 2003. It was a good off-season. The Mariners sent a planeload of prospects. The fans were ready to go after a tough 2002 season.

Still ahead are the 2000 and 2001 openers. I haven't decided if they will be the home openers or the season openers. I've got till Sunday night to figure it out.