The Mets: Kings of Opening Day
Anthony Recker and Rusty Staub pose for photographers after the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day against the Padres at Citi Field. (April 1, 2013) Credit: David L. Pokress
Terry Collins turned back the clock to 1994, when for the first time in his long baseball career, he stood on the foul line for pregame introductions as a big league manager. Collins' Astros beat Expos in the 12th inning that day, a memory that lingers with the Mets manager to this day.
"It's all been worth it," Collins remembers thinking during introductions that day. "The 20 years in the minor leagues, all the winter balls, all the instructional leagues, all the things that you did to get there, it was all worth it to stand there for the first time."
Indeed, as we wrote in Monday's editions of Newsday, Opening Day remains a special moment for veterans and rookies alike. Here are a few facts about Monday's festivities at Citi Field, where the Mets begin the season with a 1:10 p.m. game against the Padres:
Pregame ceremony: the Mets will honor volunteers who played an integral role in the response to Hurricane Sandy.
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