By Chris Asbrock

Even though yesterday was the official opening of the 2016 MLB season, nobody does it better than the City of Cincinnati. Let’s take a look back at an article I wrote a year ago, while at OutsidePitchMLB.com, detailing what it means to experience Opening Day in the Queen City.

For most baseball fans around the country, it is just Opening Day.

For Cincinnatians, it’s everything.

Opening day in Cincinnati is a spectacle.

Whether or not the Cincinnati Reds are expected to make a lot of waves around the majors or if they are picked to win the World Series, one thing is certain, the city is ready. It is truly a special day in the city of Cincinnati. The optimism is there. Spring is here and baseball is in the air. Being in Cincinnati on Opening Day will give you chills.

It all begins early in the morning with the local radio shows, including some nationally syndicated shows (ie: The Bob and Tom Show) as they begin broadcasting from various areas around Great American Ball Park. It then moves to the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade, which makes its way around the city. Throughout the day, the bars and restaurants around the ballpark are packed and stacked with people who want to take in the festive atmosphere.

It all concludes at GABP when the Reds take the field to open their season. For many years, the Reds were the first team to open the season. It was a way to pay homage to the first professional baseball franchise. That all changed once the almighty dollar got thrust into it and the networks began to add games on TV before the traditional opener.

Regardless, that will never change the hearts and minds of Cincinnatians as everyone is excited for what is about to come.

I have been lucky enough to have been able to attend a couple of Opening Day games in Cincinnati and for that I am truly grateful. People around the country will never understand, simply because they have never experienced it.

I would encourage anyone, if possible, to attend Opening Day in Cincinnati. I promise you, the Queen City will not disappoint.

If you are interested in checking out OutsidePitchMLB.com and the original story, you can follow the previous link to take you to the website.

Chris Asbrock is a staff writer and analyst for FTI Sports and can be followed on Twitter  and