Behind The Mic With Joe Mathieu: Opening Day A Holiday?

BOSTON (CBS) – Imagine not having to call in sick on Opening Day.

It's an idea that's prompted a movement complete with a White House petition.

And it has a major corporate backer. Budweiser. The brewer, which is of course owned by a European company, is pushing the concept of honoring America's favorite past time with a 12th federal holiday.

It's even running an ad campaign featuring Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith.

The petition at Whitehouse.gov had more than 22,000 signatures as of 10 a.m. Wednesday. Like all other petitions on the site it needs 100,000 within 30 days to get a response from the White House.

Keep in mind, this would take an act of Congress and the President's signature.

Of course, giving Americans the day off with pay would cost some money. Unclear how much - the Office of Personnel Management says it's impossible to say because of telecommuting and other reasons. But the Washington Post reports that it cost about more than $71 million just to close DC-area federal offices during a blizzard in 2010.

That's why some people say we should dump an existing holiday to make room for a new one.

But we're taking this a step further - asking our listeners and readers if they would prefer a national holiday on Opening Day (in the case of this year, March 31st") or the day after the Super Bowl.

Let us know what you think in the WBZ Online Daily Poll.

Follow Joe on Twitter @joemathieuwbz

MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON