Right off the Bat?

In honor of April Fool's Day, I'm going to highlight everything currently foolish in the American League during the last few days before the object of the first topic: the season opening game of the Red Sox vs Yankees.

Personally, I find it ridiculous of the league to schedule the biggest rivals in baseball, if not in sports, to play each other on the first day of baseball.I understand it's supposed to start interest in the season off to a good start, but it could become problematic.

The Sox and Yanks opened their respective seasons against each other 29 times in history, the last time in 1950. For 2010, they will open and close regular season against each other. It's just too forced; because

A. Fans need to see what groove their team is going to get in, then see how they stack up against good teams. It's the same with college football, which is why the opening game is always against a lesser opponent with an unpronounceable name. Alabama doesn't start playing Florida until a few weeks into the season, not right off the bat. I know that the warm up period is what Spring Training is for, but those games are weighed the same as games against colleges in player's minds.
B. There can be too much of a good thing. The two also see each other six times in their last ten games, and the rivalry thrives on tension. That will dissipate if they are constantly playing each other and the drama will fizzle.

Other bits:
Denard Span of the Twins hitting his mother Wanda Wilson with a foul ball during a game against the Yankees. Poor woman! She was treated by paramedics for her shoulder and appeared to be all right. The game was delayed for several minutes, and Span ended up striking out against Phil Hughes. He eventually checked out of the game in the third inning.

MLB.com's choices: the colors of the Tiger's homepage on MLB.com, team slogans (Always a Tiger, It all Happens here?!), and too mahy more to count.

Funniest names: the always enjoyable Antonio Bastardo of the Phillies, Matt LaPorta for very immature portapotty jokes in the Indians, Athletic's Coco Crisp always makes me chuckle even after all these years, Tiger Phil Coke for the amazing potential advertising, Cleveland's Shin-Soo Choo (who may be a bright spot there in the hole where only Lebron shines), Jay's Marc Rzepczynski and Jhonny Peralta of the Indian's mother has amazing spelling.

Have a happy holiday.