ATLANTA -- What's Opening Day without bunting draped over the wall? Without a governor or mayor throwing out the first ball? Without tingling nerves and bridal anxiety? Who could be more edgy than a rookie dressed out for his first major-league game?

First, consider the creative way the Braves handled the first-pitch thing. Politicians need not apply. There was Andres Galarraga and family on the big screen, and the first baseman-on-sick-leave makes the toss. Eduardo Perez makes the figurative catch at the plate. Ingenious! Who needs Roy Barnes?

In the clubhouse, Kevin McGlinchy rose to his full stretch of 6 feet, 5 inches and grinned happily. "Can you believe it?" he said. "My first day in the big leagues."

Last season he was opening with the Danville 97s, named for a train that wrecked, near the bottom of the minor-league ladder. "Nah, I never had any idea I'd be pitching in the big leagues this season," he said. "A lot of my people are here from Massachusetts today." Such exhilarating moments come only once in a young athlete's lifetime.

McGlinchy has "easy power," as Leo Mazzone, the doctor of the pitching arts, has said. He came out of high school in Malden, Mass., worked his way along the Braves farm system as a starter until someone saw a future in the bullpen for him. He was sent to Puerto Rico for winter training, came to spring camp and so impressed the braintrust that he now brings another large body to the oft-suffering relief corps. There is a pressing need, as you will see.

The Braves were opening against the Philadelphia Phillies, managed by a young man who once shagged balls in the old stadium when his dad played for the Braves. Terry Francona is a chip off the old Tito Francona block. The Phillies have been a dawdling operation these last few seasons. They did manage to sneak in a pennant in 1993, when the Braves collapsed in the playoffs. But overall, the Phillies own the most undesirable record in sports --- they have lost more games than any franchise --- any franchise --- in history, 9,984. They had a chance to make it 9,985, but the Braves wouldn't let them.

April, usually his good month, deserted Tom Glavine, the Cy Young Award incumbent, and the Braves opened the bullpen gate. Who should pop out of it on the run but 6 feet, 5 inches of Kevin McGlinchy.Reaching the mound, he surveyed the situation: Two men on base, two out and Scott Rolen at bat, the Phillies' toughest out. On the fourth pitch, Rolen raised a pop fly that Walt Weiss pulled in. McGlinchy's stride was a deliberate one back to the dugout, down the steps to a series of high-fives and all the good words that go with a deed well done.

That was it, his one-third of an inning. He was a confirmed big-leaguer, assured of his name appearing in "The Baseball Encyclopedia."

Later, Mark Wohlers would make his appearance, to a cascading ovation. Even the unoccupied seats seemed moved by the sight of this tall, young man whose career has become a municipal project. Nervously, he kicked a little dirt around and went to work. It would be a painful sight to watch, like death at twilight. He began with promise, then lost it all, and with agonizing stride, Bobby Cox went out to relieve him of further embarrassment. Maybe we had been witness to the birth of a new career, but sadly the anguishing sight of another fading away.

During the course of the 7-4 defeat this news bite appeared on the big screen: "Baseball fans will consume 26,000,000 hotdogs this season." Let us not lose sight of the important matters of life.