At 9 a.m. Tuesday my office phone rings, "Can you tell me who won yesterday? I have yet to see the paper?"

My favorite Yankee fan (if there is such a thing) was on the other end. Her coy way of getting in a quick jab to start the season.

"Look at the bright side," she continued. "You're tied for third."

This is how the season was to begin.

I had already fallen down a 14-tread staircase the day before the regular season. I hobble into work for a few hours Monday, before having a bad reaction to some pain medication. I soon found myself lying on my sofa, sick and in pain. Yup, all before the first pitch.

Then I watch the Royals put on a hitting clinic against Curt Schilling, the (gulp) "Ace" of the Red Sox pitching staff.

How could this happen?

The Royals are playing without pressure. Heck, if they lost 90 games that would be an improvement over last year. So why not just go out there and have some fun.

This Royals team is even better than the one that schooled the Sox in a series late last year.

Guys like Alex Gordon, Ryan Shealy and Mark Teahen are making a name for themselves. The Royals new SS Tony Pena Jr. showed why once Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa is no longer getting a chance to rebound.

And speaking of rebounds, Gil Meche, is starting to earn his keep. To think I questioned his $55-million contract.

All that said. Schilling just had a bad day. I do not think it set the table for things to come. He's not injured. He simply missed his spots. He'll tell you that himself.

I also do not think that the Royals can keep up this pace. Josh Beckett gets a shot at them today and I'm sure he learned a few things from the opening day experience.

My learning: Show the Royals some respect.

An aside: I realize that Daisuke Matsuzaka is great, but must every story revolve around Dice-K? Beckett's on the mound today and there are no fewer than six stories about Dice-K on the Red Sox site. Want a preview of today's game? Me too.

One more thing: Reelgirl lists "Hollywood's Bestest Red Sox fans." It's worth a look, though I will never return to the site.

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