Baseball back in full bloom

USA TODAY, April, 2008 by Bob Nightengale

DETROIT -- It may no longer be considered baseball's traditional season-opening day, but not even the rain could diminish Monday's glorious day for debuts.

Joe Torre proved he can prevail without pinstripes, winning his first game as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. New York Mets starter Johan Santana, showing he also can dominate in the National League, won in his debut. Trey Hillman of the Kansas City Royals, managing outside Japan for the first time in six years, won his major league debut. Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome hit a three-run homer for the Chicago Cubs in his American debut. The Cleveland Indians even won their first game in their renamed ballpark, Progressive Field.

Yet some traditions ...