San Diego Padres 2008 MLB Opening Night Plans Announced

Season opener includes stellar pitching matchup, giant U.S. flag presented by hundreds of firefighters, a helicopter fly-over and a salute to wildfire responders

SAN DIEGO, 03/29/2008 -- The San Diego Padres will begin their quest for their third National League West crown in four years Monday, March 31, when they host the Houston Astros at 7:05 p.m. PDT.

The game features two of the most dominating pitchers in Major League Baseball. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy will start for the San Diego Padres, while the Houston Astros will counter with right-hander Roy Oswalt.

The sold out contest marks the fifth straight home opener sellout since the team moved to PETCO Park in 2004.

Pre-game ceremonies, which begin at approximately 6:35, include the unfurling of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Giant Flag by approximately 300 firefighters from the 63 fire stations in San Diego County. The flag, one of the largest versions of "Old Glory" in existence, will be displayed upon first notes of "The Star-Spangled banner."

The National Anthem will be performed a capella by Escondido Fire Department Captain Eric Souza.

The Anthem will conclude with a helicopter fly-over by two Navy choppers that assisted in the fire relief, as well as San Diego Fire & Rescue's Copter One.

Ceremonial first pitches will be simultaneously delivered by the following officials in a nod to the collaborative relief effort during last October's wildfires:
• San Diego Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Tracy Jarman
• San Diego County Sheriff William Kolender
• City of San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne
• San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders
• San Diego City Councilman, District Five, Brian Maienschein
• San Diego County Supervisor , Fourth District, Ron Roberts
• San Diego County Supervisor , Second District, Dianne Jacob
• San Diego County Supervisor, Fifth District, Bill Horn

Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and all fans will receive an Opening Night Cap, presented by Sycuan Casino. The Padres encourage guests to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. for pregame ceremonies.

Channel 4 San Diego will begin coverage with the "Honda Pregame Show" at 6:00 p.m., which will include showing the pregame ceremonies in its entirely. Matt Vasgersian will provide game play-by-play with Mark Grant serving as color commentator for the game telecast.

XX Sports radio (1090 AM/105.7 FM) will host live broadcasts from downtown Monday. The XX broadcasting lineup will once again be led by Padres broadcasters Jerry Coleman, Ted Leitner and Andy Masur. Coleman is in his 39th season of calling Padres action, Leitner his 29th, while Masur is now in his second season.

XEMO (860 AM) will broadcast the game in Spanish, led by broadcasters Eduardo Ortega (22nd season with the Padres) and Juan Avila (11th season).

The entire country -- excluding the San Diego and Houston markets -- will receive the ESPN2 game telecast, featuring Sean McDonough, Orestes Destrade and Candy Maldonado.

Source: MLB

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