We've got our tickets, and have been (mostly) patiently waiting for opening day, well, since the end of last season.

Tomorrow is the start of the 2011 MLB season. Almost fortunately, the Twins start with a week of away games before opening Target Field for the year. It gives one more week of thaw and world-wide warming to make for another weekend of near 70s, like last year.

The game starts at 3PM, but the festivities start start before noon, so I might need to rethink my time away from the office, sorry, boss

An exciting day of events is planned, including the unveiling of the Tony Oliva statue, first pitch by Harmon Killebrew, and an F-16 fly-over (can't see that in a dome...). Then, we hope, the return of Morneau to first base!

The only thing that makes me grimace a little is the singing of God Bless America in the seventh inning. I've said it before, it's a fine song, go ahead and sing it. What I dislike about the playing (or singing) of the song is that too many people think it's the national anthem part two.

I've been relieved in the past that the Twins have stopped telling people to stand and remove their hats, but I'm still disappointed when some schmuck in the crowd shouts those directions at people who don't do so. Yeah, I'm one of them. I'll stand and stretch if I feel the need, and I'll respect the performer and listen without grumbling. But if I stand, it isn't because of the song; to the contrary, I'll sit in protest if directed to stand.

I'm leaving my cap on either way.