MLB Opening Day History | Baseball Almanac

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href="https://www.baseball-almanac.com" title="BASEBALL ALMANAC: THE HISTORY OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL">Baseball Almanac</a></h2> <p>For over a century, baseball has been hailed above all other sports as America's National Pastime. And no other game during the regular one-hundred sixty-two game season has been as eagerly anticipated as Opening Day. Just look at any die-hard baseball fan's calendar. Vacation? Holidays? Anniversaries? All are often forgotten and pale in comparison with the coveted first game of the season. Ask any fan what the "official" start of Spring is. Chances are their answer will be Opening Day. Much more than just an event, it is an experience.</p> <p>A national event, Opening Day has also become a "political pitcher's" arena for U.S. Presidents to show their "stuff." On April 14, 1910, President, and baseball enthusiast, William Howard Taft attended the home opener in Washington D.C. Since then, eleven sitting U.S. presidents have tossed out the season's ceremonial first pitch. One standout, Harry S. Truman, showcased his ambidextrous talent when he threw out balls with both his right and left arm in 1950. Beyond Presidents, Opening Day has witnessed many other historical performances:</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>Ted Williams was a .449 hitter in openers, with three home runs and fourteen runs batted in during fourteen games. "Teddy Ballgame" also boasted at least one hit in every Opening Day game he appeared in. Williams' first Opening Day (April 20, 1939) was especially noteworthy as he faced the rival New York Yankees and Lou Gehrig, who was playing in his 2,123rd consecutive game.</p> <p>Opening Day 1940 witnessed one of the most famous pitching events as Cleveland ace Bob Feller and White Sox hurler Eddie Smith went head-to-head. Smith blinked, but Feller remained in control and tossed the only Opening Day no-hitter in Major League history.</p> <p>Hammerin' Hank Aaron ignited the crowd at Riverfront Stadium on his first swing of the 1974 season when he tagged Cincinnati Reds for his 714th career home run to tie Babe Ruth on the all-time list.</p> </div> <p>Unfortunately, Opening Day has also been marred by riots and civil disobedience. At the start of the 1907 season, the New York Giants opened against the Phillies following a heavy snowstorm. In preparation for the game, groundskeepers were forced to shovel large drifts of snow onto the outer edges of the field in foul territory. After falling behind 3-0, the disappointed fans at the Polo Grounds began hurling snowballs onto the playing field, disrupting play. As the melee progressed, chaos ensued and fans began rushing onto the field to continue the snowball fight. After being pelted, Home plate umpire Bill Klem had enough and called a forfeit in favor of the Phillies.</p> <p>Statistically speaking, how important is Opening Day to a team in regards to a championship season? The answer is not that much. <strong>The record for most consecutive Opening Day wins by a team WAS nine, set by the Cincinnati Red (1983-1991). The Detroit Tigers, who won every Opening Day from 2009 through 2017, tied the Big Red Machine, but lost number ten in 2018. The Houston Astros hold the current record after they had a winning streak that started in 2013, continued through 2022, but ended in 2023 — ten consecutive Opening Day victories!</strong>!</p> <p>Individual Opening Day stats however, speak volumes on the career accomplishments of a player. On the mound, Greg Maddux was a sure thing with a perfect 6-0 record in seven career starts. Jimmy Key holds the record for most wins on Opening Day without a loss, with seven and other perfect Opening Day hurlers include Wes Ferrell at 6-0, and Lon Warneke and Rip Sewell with 5-0 scorecards.</p> <p>At the plate, Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson, future Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. and 2x All-Star Adam Dunn each hit eight career / record setting home runs on the first day of the season, while Willie Mays and Eddie Mathews each belted seven Opening Day round-trippers.</p> <p>Above all others Walter Johnson was perhaps the greatest ballplayer ever to don a uniform on Opening Day. In fourteen season openers for the Washington Senators, Johnson hurled a record nine shutouts with a nine and five (9-5) overall record. His two most famous starts include a 3-0 masterpiece against the A's in 1910 and a 1-0 marathon victory while battling fifteen innings against Philadelphia's Eddie Rommel.</p> <p>Hall of Fame pitcher Early Wynn, who played for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, summed up the essence of Opening Day when he said, "An opener is not like any other game. There's that little extra excitement, a faster beating of the heart. You have that anxiety to get off to a good start, for yourself and for the team. You know that when you win the first one, you can't lose 'em all."</p> <p>Regardless of the outcome, Opening Day still remains as the number one date in the hearts, minds (and on the calendars) of baseball fans everywhere. The official countdown begins after the last pitch of the World Series when we can't wait to hear those two magic words again, "Play Ball!"</p> <p><strong>IMPORTANT NOTE</strong>: The Opening Day game data presented below is each specific team's Opening Day game — played in their ballpark. Every team, every year, must get an Opening Day game, so when they play their first game at home, that home opener is the data being provided for Opening Day research.</p> </div> <div class="topquote"> <img src="/images/typewriter-with-paper.png" alt="Baseball Almanac Top Quote" /> <p> "There is no sports event like Opening Day of baseball, the sense of beating back the forces of darkness and the National Football League." - Vecsey, George. <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0812916786/baseballalmanac" target="_blank">A Year in the Sun</a></em>. Crown Publishing. 4 March 1989. Page 133.</p> </div> <div class="ba-table"> <table class="boxed"> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="header"> <h2>Opening Day History</h2> <p>Team-by-Team Opening Day Games | Opening Day Box Scores</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="banner">A.L. Opening Day Games</td> <td class="banner">N.L. Opening Day Games</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=BAL">Baltimore Orioles Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=ARI">Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=BOS">Boston Red Sox Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=ATL">Atlanta Braves Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=CHA">Chicago White Sox Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=CHN">Chicago Cubs Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=CLG" title="Cleveland Guardians Opening Day Games | Baseball Almanac">Cleveland Guardians Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=CN5">Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=DET">Detroit Tigers Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=COL">Colorado Rockies Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=HOU">Houston Astros Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=LAN">Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=KCA">Kansas City Royals Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=MIA" title="Miami Marlins Opening Day Games | Baseball Almanac">Miami Marlins Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=ANG">Los Angeles Angels Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=ML4">Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=MIN">Minnesota Twins Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=NYN">New York Mets Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=NYA">New York Yankees Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=PHI">Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=OAK">Oakland Athletics Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=PIT">Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=SEA">Seattle Mariners Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=SLN">St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=TBR">Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=SDN">San Diego Padres Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=TEX">Texas Rangers Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=SFN">San Francisco Giants Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=TOR">Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day Games</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="odschedule.php?t=WS0">Washington Nationals Opening Day Games</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="banner">A.L. Opening Day Games</td> <td class="banner">N.L. Opening Day Games</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="header"><h2>Opening Day History</h2> <p>Opening Day Charts | Opening Day Songs | Opening Day Feats</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="banner">Opening Day Items of Interest</td> <td class="banner">Opening Day Items of Interest</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="On_Opening_Day.shtml">On Opening Day</a> (Song, Lyrics, Audio)</td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="opening_day_cartoon.shtml">Opening Day Advertisement</a> (Historical)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="../rb_menu.shtml" title="Opening Day Records | Baseball Almanac">Opening Day Records</a></td> <td class="datacolBox"><a href="../legendary/opening_day_feats_hof.shtml">Opening Day Feats by Hall of Famers</a><a href="odschedule.php?t=WS0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="banner">Major League Baseball Opening Day Data</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="headerBlue">MLB Opening Day History | Research by <a href="https://www.baseball-almanac.com" title="BASEBALL ALMANAC: THE HISTORY OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL">Baseball Almanac</a> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <img src="../images/ball-red.png" alt="baseball almanac flat baseball" class="flat-baseball-img">  <div align="center" id="Baseballalmanac_Medrec_A"> <script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript"> freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "Baseballalmanac_Medrec_A", slotId: "Baseballalmanac_Medrec_A" }); </script> </div> <div class="fast-facts"> <h3><img src="/images/fast-facts-logo.png" alt="baseball almanac fast facts" /></h3> <p>Author Fred Schwed, Jr. in "How to Watch a Baseball Game" (1957) summed up the feeling of Opening Day in Cincinnati with this line, "However, at Cincinnati the first game is always played there. This is because the Citizens of this Ohio city do not consider Opening Day just as Opening Day. They consider it one small notch below Christmas."</p> <p>Did you know that on Good Friday, April 10, 1846, Alexander Cartwright umpired the first game played by the Knickerbockers and the score sheet simply said: Commencement of the Season? <strong>Did you know that our team rosters have bold faced entries for players who started during the Opening Day game? To see them, simply visit any team, select the schedule (year) you want, the Opening Day line-up is bold (and at the bottom of each roster):</strong></p> <table class="ff-table"> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>OPENING DAY LINE-UPS</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> <td align="center"> </td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><strong>MLB TEAM</strong></td> <td align="center"><strong>LG</strong></td> <td align="center"><strong>YEARS</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/anah.shtml">Anaheim Angels</a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1997-2004</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/dbacks.shtml"><strong>Arizona Diamondbacks</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1998-2024</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/brav.shtml"><strong>Atlanta Braves</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1966-2023</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/balt.shtml"><strong>Baltimore Orioles</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1954-2024</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/anah.shtml">California Angels</a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1966-1996</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/cubs.shtml">Chicago Colts</a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1890-1897</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/cubs.shtml"><strong>Chicago Cubs</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1902-2024</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/cubs.shtml">Chicago Orphans</a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1898-1901</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/cubs.shtml">Chicago White Stockings</a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1876-1889</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/rock.shtml"><strong>Colorado Rockies</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1993-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/marlins.shtml" title="The Official History of the Florida Marlins | Baseball Almanac">Florida Marlins</a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1993-2011</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/astr.shtml"><strong>Houston Astros</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">2013-2024</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/astr.shtml">Houston Astros</a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1965-2012</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/astr.shtml">Houston Colt .45s</a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1962-1964</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/athl.shtml">Kansas City Athletics</a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1955-1967</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/kcr.shtml"><strong>Kansas City Royals</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1969-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/anah.shtml">Los Angeles Angels</a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1961-1965</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/anah.shtml"><strong>Los Angeles Angels</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">2005-2015</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/dodgers.shtml"><strong>Los Angeles Dodgers</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1958-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/marlins.shtml" title="The Official History of the Miami Marlins | Baseball Almanac"><strong>Miami Marlins</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">2012-2024</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/brewers.shtml"><strong>Milwaukee Brewers</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1998-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/brewers.shtml">Milwaukee Brewers</a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1970-1997</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/minn.shtml"><strong>Minnesota Twins</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1961-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/washington_nationals.shtml">Montreal Expos</a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1969-2004</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/mets.shtml"><strong>New York Mets</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1962-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/athl.shtml"><strong>Oakland Athletics</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1968-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/padr.shtml"><strong>San Diego Padres</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1969-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/giants.shtml"><strong>San Francisco Giants</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">1958-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/mari.shtml"><strong>Seattle Mariners</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1977-2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/brewers.shtml">Seattle Pilots</a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1969-1969</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/rays.shtml">Tampa Bay Devil Rays</a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1998-2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/rays.shtml"><strong>Tampa Bay Rays</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">2008-2024</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/rang.shtml"><strong>Texas Rangers</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1972-2024</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/toro.shtml"><strong>Toronto Blue Jays</strong></a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1977-2023</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/rang.shtml">Washington Senators</a></td> <td align="center">AL</td> <td align="center">1961-1971</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="../teams/washington_nationals.shtml"><strong>Washington Nationals</strong></a></td> <td align="center">NL</td> <td align="center">2005-2024</td> </tr> </table> <p>The record for most consecutive Opening Day honorary pitches thrown is probably held by <a href="../teams/detroit_wolverines.shtml">Detroit Wolverines</a> catcher <a href="../players/player.php?p=bennech01">Charlie Bennett</a>. After both his legs were amputated following an 1894 train accident he threw out the first pitch in <a href="../stadium/tiger_stadium.shtml">Bennett Park</a> until his death in 1927.</p> </div> </div> <div class="footer">  <div align="center" id="Baseballalmanac_leaderboard_BTF"> <script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript"> freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "Baseballalmanac_leaderboard_BTF", slotId: "Baseballalmanac_leaderboard_BTF" }); </script> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="notes"> <a href="/"><img style="max-width: 180px; margin: 0 auto" src="/images/baseball-almanac-logo.png" alt="Baseball Almanac"></a> <p>Where what happened yesterday<br /> is being preserved today.</p> <div class="social"> <a href="https://twitter.com/BaseballAlmanac" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BaseballAlmanacInc/" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/baseballalmanac/" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-instagram"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="links"> <div> <span>Stats</span> <a href="/me_award.shtml">Awards</a> <a href="/featmenu.shtml">Fabulous Feats</a> <a href="/frstmenu.shtml">Famous Firsts</a> <a href="/hofmenu.shtml">Hall of Fame</a> <a href="/himenu.shtml">Hitting Charts</a> <a href="/limenu.shtml">Legendary Lists</a> <a href="/pimenu.shtml">Pitching Charts</a> <a href="/rb_menu.shtml">Record Books</a> <a href="/rulemenu.shtml">Rules</a> <a href="/scoring.shtml">Scoring</a> <a href="/teamstats/statmaster.php">Statmaster</a> <a href="/bstatmen.shtml">Stats 101</a> <a href="/yearmenu.shtml">Year by Year</a> </div> <div> <span>People</span> <a href="/automenu.shtml">Autographs</a> <a href="/players/ballplayer.shtml">Ballplayers</a> <a href="/fammenu.shtml">Baseball Families</a> <a href="/players/baseball_interviews.shtml">Interviews</a> <a href="/mgrmenu.shtml">Managers</a> <a href="/deaths/chart/baseball_player_obituaries.shtml">Obituaries</a> <a href="/quomenu.shtml">Quotes</a> <a href="/teammenu.shtml">Team by Team</a> <a href="/umpiresmenu.shtml">Umpires</a> <a href="/prz_menu.shtml">US Presidents</a> </div> <div> <span>Places</span> <a href="/asgmenu.shtml">All-Star Game</a> <a href="/stadium.shtml">Ballparks</a> <a href="/division_series/division_series.shtml">Division Series</a> <a href="/graves/baseball_graves.shtml">Grave Sites</a> <a href="/League_Championship_Series.shtml">LCS</a> <a href="/opening_day/opening_day.shtml">Opening Day</a> <a href="/ws/wsmenu.shtml">World Series</a> </div> <div> <span>Other</span> <a href="/about.shtml">Advertising</a> <a href="/baseball_cards/baseball_cards.php">Baseball Cards</a> <a href="/bookmenu.shtml">Book Shelf</a> <a href="/feedmenu.shtml">Feedback</a> <a href="/gam_menu.shtml">Fun & Games</a> <a href="/humomenu.shtml">Humor & Jokes</a> <a href="/mve_time.shtml">Movie Time</a> <a href="/mlmstart.shtml">Newsletter</a> <a href="/news.php">News Feeds</a> <a href="/poems.shtml">Poetry & Song</a> <a href="/privacy-policy.shtml">Privacy Policy</a> <a href="/Search.shtml">Search & Find</a> <a href="/support.shtml">Support</a> </div> </div> <div class="copyright"> <div class="legal"> <p>Copyright 1999-<script type="text/javascript"> copyright=new Date(); update=copyright.getFullYear(); document.write(update); </script>. 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MLB Opening Day History | Baseball Almanac