Mr. Ozzie Smith is going to Washington – again. His goal? To rightfully honor America’s National Pastime and make MLB Opening Day a national holiday.
Hall of Fame shortstop, Ozzie Smith, has partnered with Budweiser, the Official Beer of Major League Baseball, to make Opening Day a holiday, beginning with a petition launched today at WhiteHouse.gov. In order for MLB Opening Day to be considered for a day of national observance, the petition needs 100,000 signatures within 30 days to warrant Administration review and a response from the White House. Baseball fans 21 and older are encouraged to visit www.Budweiser.com/OpeningDay to join the cause before Opening Day on Monday, March 31.
“On Opening Day, every team is in contention to win the World Series,” said Smith, renowned for starting each baseball season with a backflip on the infield before taking his place at shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals. “Nothing can top that optimism, with the excitement felt at every level of play – from the players to the most casual of baseball fans. Now let’s make it an official holiday so that everyone can join the celebration.”
According to a recent survey, an estimated 22.2 million Americans, age 21 and older, admit to having played “hooky” from work or other commitments to attend or watch an Opening Day game, with fans 21-44 years old twice as likely as their older counterparts to do so.
