New Years Day Just Ahead.

For most of the worlds population the New Year began at midnight on January 1st. For others, the Year of the Dragon, the Chinese New Year began at midnight on January 23. For many of us the 2012 New Year starts on March 28 at the Tokyo Dome where the Seattle Mariners will take on the Oakland Athletics in the first game of the 2012 MLB season. When the new baseball season begins so does the New Year. That's just me. MLB actually considers the "official" opening day to be April 5th when most major league teams begin play here in America.

Major League Baseball officially began on April 22, 1876 at the Jefferson Street Grounds in Philadelphia. For me the history of the world began with the founding of the Cleveland Indians, who began play at Old League Park (a stadium built of wood) in 1901.

This year year in MLB should bring about many baseball happenings. Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees should reach the milestone of 3000 hits. Jim Thome and Chipper Jones will likely pass the 1600 runs scored mark. Finally one of my favorite fomer Cleveland Indians, Omar Vizquel will reach 3000 games played. Two notable pitching feats will likely be achieved. First, Roy (Doc) Halladay should record his 200 win and Roger (the Rocket) Clemens will go to trial (OK, I admit baseball isn't perfect).

I look forward to baseball each year. I know that if the Boys of Summer are playing the world hasn't crumpled completely, and I can tune the radio to a game somewhere almost any evening. Baseball, in my opinion is still the great American past time, not the NFL or anything anyone else says. For 136 years its been baseball and that's not going to change anytime soon.

My name is Dale (the Cleveland Indian Guy) E. Bledsoe with Crown Key Realty and as always I may be reached at 209-481-6031. You may also visit me on the web at www.dalebledsoe.com . Play Ball!