About a week ago a buddy of mine made the statement, “I don’t know where my life would be without sports”. I digested that and started thinking where our lives would be without April and October. I had the urge to write about it, and find out which month I, along with other people, enjoyed the most.

The fact is that each month is the beginning and end to the other. As high hopes reside on baseball’s opening day in April, those same dreams die in October as the playoffs begin. Those same hopes start in October for NBA and NHL franchises, and those same hopes die in April in the playoffs. The NFL Draft in April lifts spirits of organizations their fans, and, at times, those spirits are already being crushed mid-season in October.

April begins with March Madness coming to an end, and a Final Four weekend, normally the first weekend in April, between the last teams standing. The spirit of the NCAA tourney is like none other. Who doesn’t fill out a bracket!? April also features the magic of Augusta. The jacket always seems to be up in the air. Something special always seems to happen at The Masters, whether it is tragedy or triumph. Then you have MLB Opening Day; a day when even the Pirates have a nice record. Although it has lost its charm recently, opening day is the perfect day to call in to work, sit on the sofa, and watch baseball with family and friends. The weather is normally beautiful, and teams are filled with high hopes. The NBA Playoffs begin towards the middle of the month. With the teams in the NBA this season, there are so many match-ups that could lead to an “amazing” playoff year. The NHL Playoffs start around the same time as the NBA Playoffs. Thanks to the Capitals and Penguins and their talented youth, the NHL playoffs have gotten more attention as of late. To top it all off is the NFL Draft, where no matter what team you’re a fan of, you’ve got a chance to make a run at the playoffs. If the Cardinals can make it to the Super Bowl, why not your team...right!? (Disregard the last couple of sentences if you’re a Raider fan.)

October is filled with football. Whether you’re a high school, college, or professional fan, you can find good football. The month starts with the NFL in full stride. The season is young, but every week brings excitement unmatched by any American sport. The MLB Postseason begins and reaches a climax in the month of October. Since MLB has recently extended the season, the World Series has ended in November, but, in my opinion, the MLB Postseason belongs to October. The long, tough fight for the Stanley Cup also begins in the month with the NHL taking the ice for the first time. The NBA also tips off in October, and with the talent level of the top teams this year, there is no doubt that something special could happen on the court any night.

The truth about April and October is that we couldn’t have one without the other. They’re the first and the last. They are the alpha and omega, if you will, of a journey of sports and emotion that are wrapped up in the months between. As a baseball fan watching the first pitch of the season in April, I can’t wait until the allure of October. As a basketball fan witnessing the opening tip to the season in October, I can’t wait to be amazed in April.

There are moments that have happened in these months that I’ll never forget, and I’m sure that most everyone can relate. For me, Jordan headlines many of those moments in April. Emmitt breaking the rushing record and Derek Jeter headline my memories from October. October is coming to an end in a few days, but don't worry baseball fans. April will be here before you know it.