The 2023 MLB season is finally upon us.
In just one day, the season will begin and all teams will have a clean slate.
The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to put the heartache of their Wild Card Series loss behind them and fulfill their World Series aspirations in 2023.
They signed Willson Contreras to bolster the offense while also replacing Yadier Molina behind the plate.
St. Louis will open up the season on Thursday at home against the Toronto Blue Jays.
They’ll send veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas to the mound to counter Alek Manoah.
On Twitter, a Cardinals fan posted a photo of Ozzie Smith doing his signature backflip to continue the countdown to Opening Day.
ONE. DAY. UNTIL. OPENING. DAY. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/YNprwY8Hgt
— STL Sports Central (@stlsportscntrl) March 29, 2023
For context, Smith wore No. 1 during his time in St. Louis.
That number is now retired.
But it also means that Opening Day is almost here.
Opening Day is a special day all around baseball, but especially in St. Louis.
The festivities always begin with the famous Budweiser Clydesdales circling the field as the organist plays “Here Comes The King.”
Following the Clydesdales, the team’s Hall-of-Famers, including Smith, are brought out on trucks as they don their signature red jackets.
The players and coaches are then introduced as they enter the field to a loud ovation.
Unfortunately, Adam Wainwright will not be around to start this Opening Day, as he is dealing with a groin issue.
But that won’t sour the mood at Busch Stadium on Thursday as the team prepares for yet another fun season of Cardinals baseball.
The day is almost here, and the excitement is palpable in St. Louis and all around Major League Baseball.
NEXT: Cardinals Fan Comments On Team's 2023 Outlook
