Opening Day-OFF!

A measure to have voters make Reds Opening Day an official holiday in Cincinnati is having some difficulty getting enough support to qualify for the city's November 8 ballot. Despite the challenges, a few loyal Reds fans are still fighting the good fight in Cincy trying to keep the measure alive. It is great to see that level of fandom and persistence. Personally, though, I think we should all get behind the push to make Opening Day not just a city-wide Holiday, but a National Holiday across the country.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not one of those people who feel that we should shorten the school year or work week. I know the value of a long day on the job. I have been everything from a bus boy to a concrete worker…to a host of an MLB Fan Cave, who gets to watch baseball…a lot of baseball. Ok, that one is not too shabby, I know.

The bottom line is I think there is a time for everything. A time to work and a time to rest or play…or take in some good ol' baseball. And what better time to do that than Opening Day?

Baseball is our country's pastime. We endure the often harsh winters and awful commutes through the offseason months. We trudge through the doldrums of February looking for a sign of light at the end of the frigid tunnel that is any day after the holiday season…save Valentine's Day…for some…and who are we kidding, that day isn't exactly ever stress-free.

We wait to see the sun! We hope Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow! We long to hear that umpire yell, "PLAY BALL!" We, all of us in some way, look forward to Opening Day.

Think of all the good it would do for us as a nation. We'd inject a day of fun into our 9- to-5 lives. It would be a day to celebrate the game, the players and memories of past seasons and frankly, just being an American. I think we kick ourselves too much today. We are always at each other's throats about everything, why not have it be about Red Sox vs. Yankees, Dodgers vs. Giants, or Cubs vs. Cardinals, instead of the standard anger and endless bickering?

Opening Day is a great day to get the family together, call an old friend or just go get a beer and a hot dog and have some "You" time. And think of how many offices wouldn't be getting those, "I think I am coming down with Strep throat" calls! It's a win-win.

I don't think we need a day off at the start of fashion week or Shark Week…however, I'm open to hearing arguments for that one. We don't need to shorten class time or extend a lunch break. But, in my opinion, it's alway good to celebrate the things that bring us all together. Baseball has always been that constant in this country. Let's all take the day to enjoy the game that has gotten us through so much.

Do you agree that #OpeningDay should be a National Holiday? Tweet me @mikeyoh21 with the #OpeningDay tag.