Maybe we are too spoiled to appreciate what is going on at minor-league baseball parks around the country.

Too many years of watching the McGwire’s and Sosas and Bondses send baseballs soaring into the atmosphere has twisted our thinking and clouded our vision.

We see all that power and believe we are watching the son of Superman. A lot of us know there is dirty linen attached to those bats, but we love the excitement thinking the reincarnation of Babe Ruth is next.

Eli Grba, who will throw out the first pitch Friday night at the Angels' home opener, was the opening-day starter in the club's inaugural game when Major League Baseball first expanded in 1961.

"Oh my goodness, my knees will be knocking," admits Grba, 76, who will throw out the first pitch in the Angels' home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. "It's an honor. I just wish they could have had the whole '61 team there."