MLB opening week: the best week of sports

Why is it the best week of sports? Because it's the only time of the year when the Florida Marlins have a full stadium; it's the only time the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (or Rays if you're PC), and Kansas City Royals are relevant; it's the only time the New York Yankees are in last place.

The baseball season engulfs more than half of the calendar year -- and for teams like the Devil Rays and Nationals, the final 140 games of the season are going to be pretty grueling. So let's enjoy the Giants, Reds, Twins, Pirates, Marlins, Nationals, Royals, and Orioles while they still have a respectable record: 0-0.

And no Roger Clemens is-he-coming-back saga, no Barry Bonds chasing-the-record saga, no Mitchell Report looming over players' heads. If Julio Franco makes it back to the big leagues, he'll be the first player since Minnie Minoso to play at age 50. No MLB Extra Innings for Dish Network owners (which sucks), but other than that, '08 should be a great year of baseball.