Opening Day 2011: Baseball Season Begins Today Along With News of SF Giants' Barry Zito Car Crash

Baseball's Opening Day is an American tradition, recognized by many as a national holiday according to the Baseball Hall of Fame website.

Here in South Florida, it's a special year because it marks the last year for the Florida Marlins over at Sun Life Stadium. Soon, they'll be the Miami Marlins, playing in a brand spankin' new stadium in downtown Miami. (Go here for the 2011 Marlins schedule.)

Today, for the first time on a Thursday since 1976, the 2011 Major League Baseball regular season hits off with:

the Milwaukee Brewers at the Cinncinnati Reds,
the Los Angeles Angels at the Kansas City Royals,
the Atlanta Braves at the Washington Nationals,
the Detroit Tigers at the New York Yankees, and
the San Diego Padres at the St. Louis Cardinals.

For a blow by blow on the season openers, check out Mark Newmann's overview at the Major League Baseball site.

Here in Miami Beach, we can watch the Marlins go against the New York Mets tomorrow night, over at the stadium or on Fox-TV (which is covering all the Marlin games this season).

The Spring Season for Sports Injuries Begins, Too: SF Giants Barry Zito Car Crash

Along with the excitement of Opening Day, there is news of a minor car crash involving San Francisco Giants' pitcher Barry Zito over in Los Angeles. Seems Zito was treated and released at a local LA hospital after his car was broadsided as he drove through an intersection on Sunset Boulevard.

It's important to remember that minor car wrecks can sometimes result in longterm injuries, and the fact that Zito has been released from hospital care does not mean that he may be home free on any physical injury. Head injuries and back injuries may appear over time. Neck injuries often appear after minor car crashes, and whiplash can be a very serious injury that doesn't fully manifest for awhile after the accident itself.

Of course, Barry Zito's condition will be closely monitored by team physicians. This may not be the case for the rest of us, who may return to a job where our physical prowess isn't a vital component to company success.

For anyone experiencing a minor car accident, it's important to be vigilant about any body conditions or changes for awhile after the accident occurs. Pain should not be ignored. Favoring a limb, a nagging headache, numbness -- all are symptoms which should be immediately reviewed by a doctor.

Not all of us are baseball stars like Barry Zito, but we're all important to our family and friends. No matter how minor your car crash, it's better to be safe than sorry. Get a doctor's opinion, and remember: the party at fault (and their insurance carrier) should be responsible for your medical expenses.

By Bryant Esquenazi on March 31, 2011 12:35 PM