41.  For baseball fans, hope is supposed to spring eternal each year as the groundskeepers groom the outfield grass and comb the base paths for the home opener.

42.  Friday afternoon in their home opener against the Reds, it was Sheffield opening the scoring with his third home run.

43.  Giants general manager Brian Sabean said the club has petitioned the National League to play the Dodgers in their home opener next season.

44.  He appeared nervous, as he did last Friday night in his home opener in the new United Center in Chicago.

45.  He called Fenway Park and got the Owls into Fridaythe Sox home opener.

46.  He has already benched a star for the home opener.

47.  He wants to start earning his money by playing against the Buffalo Bills in the preseason home opener on Saturday night.

48.  He is expected to start the home opener against Boston on Wednesday.

49.  He was booed lustily during his first at-bat of the season at Yankee Stadium during the home opener on Tuesday.

50.  He pumped his fist after giving up the deciding run in the home opener.