When I think of baseball’s opening day, I think of afternoon games in places such as Chicago, New York and Cleveland.

What I don’t think of are games at 5 a.m. in Tokyo.

But that’s where Major League Baseball’s opening series will take place this season, as the Red Sox take on the A’s at the Tokyo Dome.

Listen, I understand wanting to boost baseball’s popularity internationally, but this easily can be done playing exhibition games. There is no need to start the regular season halfway across the globe.

Friday’s exhibition game between the Red Sox and the Hanshin Tigers drew over 37,000 fans.

It’s not right for Red Sox and A’s fans to have to wake up before dawn to watch their teams’ season opener.

So Mr. Selig, can’t we have just two teams go over to Japan each season and play a few exhibition games?