There’s a first for everything, and this is the first time I’m featuring an image – “Opening Day” – used in a prior post. The title 26 months ago was “Play Ball!” – but given the huge uncertainty about whether there will even be a baseball season this year on account of the Covid-19 outbreak, it seems appropriate to replace the exclamation point with a question mark.
For the record, the featured image is from the Mariners’ home opener on April 8, 2016 when they played the Oakland Athletics before a sell-out crowd of 47,065 fans at Safeco Field. To get the shot, partner Carol and I surreptitiously gained access to the outdoor pool on the top floor of the nearby Silver Cloud Hotel. Alas, the home team lost, 3-2, after the Mariners’ bullpen gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th inning.
As most Seattleites know, Safeco Field is now a relic of the past. The Mariners, who don’t own the stadium but do own its naming rights, originally signed a 20-year deal with Safeco Insurance. After the company declined to renew the agreement beyond the 2018 season, T-Mobile acquired the naming rights in December 2018 for a slick $87.5 million for 25 years. With the new signage in place, Carol and I punctually arrived at T-Mobile Park for the home opener against the Boston Red Sox on March 28, 2019, intending to replicate our opening day shot from three years prior. Our plans were stopped dead in their tracks, however, because the swimming pool at the hotel was closed for maintenance. I hate when that happens!
Major League Baseball is trying to come up with a game plan for baseball by July, but I have my doubts it’ll happen. For one thing, up to 10,000 Covid-19 tests per week would reportedly be needed to ensure that none of the players on the field are infected. There would be rules galore under the health-and-safety manual proposed by the league, including a ban on high-fives, fist bumps, spitting, and chewing sunflower seeds. Inexplicably, however, one of my pet peeves – players grabbing their crotches – would apparently still be allowed. Go figure!
Like many other local businesses, our Bainbridge Island gallery remains closed in compliance with our governor’s “stay-at-home” order. Although things may soon change with phase 2 of the reopening plan about to kick in, many details remain. We can certainly take orders by phone, however, so if you miss baseball and have a perfect spot on your wall for “Opening Day,” please give us a call!
Thank you for reading our blog. As always, in these trying and stressful times, we hope everyone stays healthy, safe, and strong!
Ciao for now,
Andrew (Andy) Bergh