Tonight's game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals marks the official opening of the 2008 Major League Baseball season. It also marks the Grand Opening of the Nationals' brand-spanking new ballpark.

Tonights game, as broadcast on ESPN, was full of pomp and circumstance, introduing America to the shiny new facilities along the Anacostia River. ESPN's broadcast included an opening with George Will and the first pitch by President Bush. President Bush also joined John Miller and Joe Morgan in the booth for some friendly baseball banter.

The Nats fans certainly got what they wanted tonight as the Nationals scored 2 runs in the first inning on RBI's by 1B Nick Johnson and OF Austin Kearns to take an early lead over the Braves. Odalis Perez pitched an efficient 5 innings, giving up only a solo shot to Chipper Jones. Then, after the Braves tied the game in the top of the 9th off of a wild pitch by John Rauch, the face of the franchise, former UVA star and 3B Ryan Zimmerman, came up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the 9th.

Zimmerman sent the Nats fans into a frenzy and himself into the annals of Washington baseball history with a walk-off home run to deliver the Nationals their first win in their new home.

Bottom line: Congrats to the Nationals on their win and thank God baseball is back! The new park looked great on television and I look forward to visiting it sometime this spring or summer.

In honor of opening day, here's some youtube action for ya:

and my favorite baseball commercial: