Opening Day is warmly regarded in North American tradition as the beginning of a new Major League Baseball season. It falls annually around the beginning of April, signaling such a generational feeling of rebirth for some that the writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book titled, Why Time Begins On Opening Day.[1] Many feel that the occasion represents a newness or a chance to forget last season, in that the 30 major league clubs and their millions of fans begin with 0-0 records.
For generations, Opening Day has arrived amid pageantry. In Cincinnati, Ohio, home of the sport's first professional team, an annual parade marks an unofficial "city holiday" with young and old alike taking the day off to cheer on the Reds. For decades, the first pitch of every major league season officially took place in Cincinnati. Although the past decade has brought the introduction of a Sunday night opening game on ESPN as well as the staging of season-opening series in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Japan, the ensuing Monday brings Opening Day to numerous major league ballparks and the game that day in Cincinnati (the only team that always opens the season at home) is still observed throughout baseball as the "traditional opener." Opening Day is a state of mind as well, with countless baseball fans known to recognize this unofficial holiday as a good reason to call in sick at work or "play hooky" from school and go out to the ballpark for the first of 162 regular season games. Each team's home opener serve as the only regular season games during the year in which the entire rosters of both teams as well as coaches and clubhouse staff are introduced to the crowd (for the rest of the year, ballparks only introduce the starting lineups).
Hall of Fame pitcher Early Wynn, who played for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, once 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."[1]
Opening Day extends throughout the sport of baseball, to hundreds of minor league baseball franchises as well as to college, high school, youth league fields and in areas far beyond North America. Similarly, there are opening-night performances for new Broadway plays.
Prior to Opening Day, the teams' managers have to decide the starting pitchers for the Opening Day game. This spot is usually given to the teams' ace pitchers, and is usually considered an honor for a pitcher to start on Opening Day. In turn, the pitchers who start on Opening Day are usually recognized throughout the baseball world as their teams' best starting pitchers.
History[]
There is a rich history of special events that have occurred on Opening Day, most notably a 1940 no-hitter thrown by Cleveland pitcher Bob Feller, ultimately a Hall of Famer. It remains the only no-hitter in Opening Day history.
Opening Day has been synonymous with United States presidents as well. On April 14, 1910, baseball enthusiast William Howard Taft attended the home opener in Washington D.C., becoming the first U.S. President to throw out the first pitch to start a season. Eleven sitting U.S. presidents have done the same since then. One standout, Harry S. Truman, showcased his ambidextrous talent when he threw out ceremonial first pitches with both his right and left arm in 1950.[1] On April 4, 1994, Bill Clinton inaugurated the Cleveland Indians' new ballpark, Jacobs Field, with the first pitch.
The great Ted Williams was a .449 hitter in openers, with three home runs and fourteen runs batted in during fourteen such games. "Teddy Ballgame" also boasted at least one hit in every Opening Day game in which he appeared.
On April 4, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves ignited the Opening Day crowd in Cincinnati with his first swing. It resulted in his 714th career home run, tying Babe Ruth on Major League Baseball's all-time list. Aaron would finish his career with 755 homers.
Hall of Famer Walter Johnson was arguably the greatest ballplayer in Opening Day history. In 14 season openers for the Washington Senators, the "Big Train" pitched a record nine shutouts. His two most famous starts include a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia A's in 1910 and a 1-0 marathon victory while battling the A's Eddie Rommel for 15 innings.
On April 4, 2005, Dmitri Young of the Detroit Tigers hit three home runs in his team's opener against the Kansas City Royals at Detroit's Comerica Park. He became the third major leaguer to homer three times on Opening Day, following the Toronto Blue Jays' George Bell in 1988 and the Chicago Cubs' Tuffy Rhodes in 1994.
The St. Louis Cardinals were the first major league team to open the season with a night game, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on April 18, 1950.
The longest Opening Day game in major league history was a 15-inning affair played at Cleveland Stadium on April 19, 1960. The Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Indians 4-2.
The first major league team to open its season with a doubleheader was the Oakland Athletics. They hosted the Chicago White Sox for two games on April 7, 1971, with Chicago winning both times (6-5 and 12-4, respectively).
Hall of Famer Tom Seaver has started the most Opening Day games in Major League history, starting the Opener 16 times for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox.
Quotes[]
Template:Cquote2
2021[]
In 2021, April 1 was the Opening Day for the 2021 MLB season.
Games[]
All times are EDT (Eastern time zone).
For the finished games, there are links to MLB.com for box scores (with other options) and YouTube for game highlights.
- TOR @ NYY 1:05pm (ESPN); TOR 3-2 (10) [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- CLE @ DET 1:10pm; DET 3-2 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- BAL @ BOS 2:10pm; (PPD due to rain)
- MIN @ MIL (Interleague (Rivalry)) 2:10pm; MIL 6-5 (10) [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- PIT @ CHC 2:20pm; PIT 5-3 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- ATL @ PHI 3:05pm; PHI 3-2 (10) [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- LAD @ COL 4:10pm (ESPN); COL 8-5 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- ARI @ SD 4:10pm; SD 8-7 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- STL @ CIN 4:10pm; STL 11-6 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- TEX @ KC 4:10pm; KC 14-10 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- TB @ MIA (Interleague (Rivalry)) 4:10pm; TB 1-0 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- NYM @ WSH 7:09pm (ESPN); (PPD due to COVID)
- CWS @ LAA 10:05pm; LAA 4-3 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- HOU @ OAK 10:07pm (ESPN); HOU 8-1 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
- SF @ SEA (Interleague) 10:10pm; SEA 8-7 (10) [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference]
MLB scores for April 1, 2021, on Twitter
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377866781772107778/photo/1
Interesting Plays[]
These great plays are from the MLB Twitter account.
- CLE @ DET - Miguel Cabrera's first home run (during the snowy weather!) is the 1st of the entire 2021 MLB regular season. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377675305180147719 This play is reviewed by the umpires (without using a team challenge). YouTube video
- TOR @ NYY - Gary Sanchez's first home run in the 2021 MLB Opening Day. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377681340875866120
- TOR @ NYY - Blue Jays' 1st home run in 2021 goes into the bleachers (left field) in Yankee Stadium. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377696672252321792
- TOR @ NYY - Marcus Semien (one of the top 100 MLB players for 2021; Blue Jays 2B) makes a diving stop to prevent any major damage (2 Yankees left on base) and to end the 5th inning. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377700033135529990
- TOR @ NYY - Gary Sanchez (mentioned again) makes a great throw to 2nd base to throw out the Blue Jays runner trying to steal. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377710012341047296
- MIN @ MIL - Luis Urías (Brewers second baseman) makes the diving catch for the 1st out of the game. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377689192000593920
- MIN @ MIL - Walk-off play at the plate and the Brewers win in their walkoff (1st in the 2021 season) in the 10th inning. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377754367487528962
- PIT @ CHC - Ke'Bryan Hayes (Pirates third baseman) hits a home run in Wrigley to prove the doubters wrong (the Pirates are ranked dead last during the 2021 Opening Day in almost all of the power rankings available). https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377690160029184006
- ARI @ SD - The Padres have hit back-to-back homers against Madison Bumgarner in the 3rd inning. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377734661686890503
- ARI @ SD - The D-backs have scored 6 runs in the road 5th inning to take the lead. They have 3 HRs from Starling Marte, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Stephen Vogt. They managed to take out Yu Darvish after he gave up 4 runs and the first 2 HRs aforementioned. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377750549785890819
- ARI @ SD - Tatis Jr. (one of the best players for 2021) manages to avoid the tag (a tricky move indeed) when he goes back to 1st base. This play is reviewed with a D-backs challenge, but it does not overturn the call. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377751890751029248 YouTube video
- ATL @ PHI - The Braves' Pablo Sandoval (Panda) pinch-hits a homer from Aaron Nola's pitch (one of the top pitchers in MLB for 2021) to tie the game in the 7th inning. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377736080443736067
- ATL @ PHI - Didi Gregorius (PHI shortstop) has made a great catch while facing the outfield. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377752387918696449
- ATL @ PHI - The Phillies save a run to preserve the tie in the top of the 10th inning. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377755596724781056
- TEX @ KC - Both teams have scored at least 8 runs in the first 4 innings (the Royals lead 10-8 after these 4 full innings). https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377747765661405184
- SF @ SEA - Buster Posey is returning to action after missing all of 2020 with a major injury from complications of his right hip. He busts a HR in his first plate appearance & at-bat in 2021 (and since 2019). https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377813104717918209
- SF @ SEA - When the game is tied at 7 apiece, Buster Posey is destined for another hit on his miraculous return, but it was taken away from the Mariners right fielder on a sliding catch. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377861361590534145
- SF @ SEA - The Mariners have the bases loaded in the 10th inning. At the 3-1 count, the Giants pitcher throws wildly and the Mariners batter (not taking a swing) is credited with a walk-off RBI walk (BB). https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377863889606610944
- CWS @ LAA - Lucas Giolito (one of the top 100 players (better than 70th) for 2021) strikes out Mike Trout (the still #1 player for 2021 (and for many years already)). https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377810928691986437
- CWS @ LAA - Jose Iglesias (still a very good shortstop with different teams) dives to put out a CWS player on time (no review). https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377843183296647168
- CWS @ LAA - The Angels' Iglesias (the relief pitcher that is not Jose (just mentioned)) strikes out Luis Robert (top 100 player for 2021). The pitcher Iglesias makes a game save after the Angels have rallied in the 8th inning. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377852129768001538
- HOU @ OAK - The Astros' Zack Greinke (the former Dodger) strikes out with his usual curveball (only 73 mph). https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377837423661568002
- HOU @ OAK - The Astros' Michael Brantley (the top 100 player for 2021 from 3 different sources) has hit a HR for 3 straight Opening Days that he has started (all with the Astros). https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1377847380452728842
Other interesting things
- Oddity: LAD @ COL - Cody Bellinger is credited with an RBI single, not a 2-run HR (which it is actually a HR), because he "passes" his teammate between 1st and 2nd bases. The latter player (Justin Turner) thinks it is not a HR because he thinks it is caught by the Rockies left fielder, so he runs back to 1st base. Both of these Dodgers players are not communicating to each other, creating the baserunning gaffe. Cody Bellinger is out and Justin Turner scores. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHczLCMTChw
- Inning Highlight: STL @ CIN - The Cardinals are in their great start. In the top of the 1st inning, they score 6 runs (a failed fielding shift, a fielding error, and a 3-run HR are involved). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipQNTwVxWQE
- Epic: ATL @ PHI - The Phillies have the epic 10th inning with both their defense at home plate (to preserve a tie) and offense (walkoff). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWTllEBQe6E
HOME RUNS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il1h2YbnjA8
BEST MOMENTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guDCNOdKahE
Pick 'em Contest[]
In 2021, MLB gives the contest to the people around the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and all areas affected by the U.S.) and Canada (excluding Quebec) to play for $200,000. A participant has to be 18+ years of age to play for the money. Underage participants can also play, but they cannot play for the money. Participants pick the winner of each game and answer 2 tiebreaker questions (if there is a tie for the greatest number of games chosen correctly). This contest ends at 1PM EDT on April 1, 2021 (just minutes before the first MLB games will start in 2021).
- Weblinks (may not work after the contest ends)
Other info[]
2021 is the first year since 2019 to start the regular season regularly (March or April) because 2020 is unprecedented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resources[]
They are all from MLB.com.
- Before
- After
- Best moments: https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-opening-day-best-moments
- Reactions, overreactions, and verdicts: https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-day-reactions-and-verdicts
- Recaps: https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-day-2021-roundtable-recap
2022[]
The 2022 MLB regular season was supposed to begin on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
Previously
STL @ PIT 1:05pmWSH @ NYM 1:10pmTB @ BOS 2:10pmARI @ MIL 2:10pmTOR @ BAL 3:05pmNYY @ TEX 4:05pmCHC @ CIN 4:10pmKC @ CLE 4:10pmCOL @ LAD 4:10pmSF @ SD 4:10pmMIN @ CWS 4:10pmATL @ MIA 4:10pmPHI @ HOU (Interleague) 7:09pmLAA @ OAK 10:07pmDET @ SEA 10:10pm
Due to the prolonged lockout, the Opening Day was delayed by 1 week. Therefore, we will be games in 2 separate Opening Days on April 7 & 8.
April 7[]
BOS @ NYY 1:05pm; (PPD due to rain; rescheduled on the next day)- MIL @ CHC 2:20pm; CHC 5-4 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- CLE @ KC 4:10pm; KC 3-1 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
SEA @ MIN 4:10pm; (PPD due to rain; rescheduled on the next day)- PIT @ STL 4:15pm; STL 9-0 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- NYM @ WSH 7:05pm; NYM 5-1 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- CIN @ ATL 8:08pm; CIN 6-3 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- HOU @ LAA 9:38pm; HOU 3-1 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- SD @ ARI 9:40pm; ARI 4-2 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
April 8[]
NOTE: Only the teams that did not play on April 7 will be shown in this section.
- BOS @ NYY 1:05pm (rescheduled from the previous day); NYY 6-5 (11) [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- CWS @ DET 1:10pm; DET 5-4 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- OAK @ PHI 3:05pm (Interleague); PHI 9-5 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- BAL @ TB 3:10pm; TB 2-1 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- LAD @ COL 4:10pm; LAD 5-3 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- SEA @ MIN 4:10pm (rescheduled from the previous day); SEA 2-1 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- MIA @ SF 4:35pm; SF 6-5 (10) [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
- TEX @ TOR 7:07pm; TOR 10-8 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant]
2023[]
Thursday, March 30, 2023
- ATL @ WSH 1:05pm; ATL 7-2 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- SF @ NYY (Interleague) 1:05pm; NYY 5-0 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports] [Judge]
- BAL @ BOS 2:10pm; BAL 10-9 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports] [1st] [Adley]
- MIL @ CHC 2:20pm; CHC 4-0 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- DET @ TB 3:10pm; TB 4-0 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- PHI @ TEX (Interleague) 4:05pm; TEX 11-7 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- PIT @ CIN 4:10pm; PIT 5-4 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports] [CruzMissile]
- COL @ SD 4:10pm; COL 7-2 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- TOR @ STL (Interleague) 4:10pm; TOR 10-9 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- MIN @ KC 4:10pm; MIN 2-0 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- NYM @ MIA 4:10pm; NYM 5-3 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- CWS @ HOU 7:08pm; CWS 3-2 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports] [Yordan]
- LAA @ OAK 10:07pm; OAK 2-1 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports] [Sho]
- AZ @ LAD 10:10pm; LAD 8-2 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- CLE @ SEA 10:10pm; SEA 3-0 [MLB.com] [YouTube] [Reference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
[HRs] [BestMoments]
References
https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-day-2023-guide
https://www.mlb.com/news/projected-lineups-rotations-for-every-mlb-team-2023
https://www.mlb.com/opening-day-pick-em?affiliateId=ODPE-trending-mlb-2023
https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-day-starting-pitchers-for-2023
https://www.mlb.com/rule-changes-2023
2024[]
The 2024 MLB season will begin on Thursday, March 28, 2024. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are beginning the regular season on Wednesday, March 20 in Seoul, South Korea for a 2-game series (each team will be designated as a home team for each game).
Seoul Series (March 20 & 21)[]
- Wednesday, March 20: LAD @ SD (regular-season game in Gocheok Sky Dome at Seoul, South Korea) 6:05am (7:05pm in Seoul) (ESPN); LAD 5-2 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports] [SHO] [JapaneseInKorea] [大谷翔平]
- Thursday, March 21: SD @ LAD (switched) (regular-season game in Gocheok Sky Dome at Seoul, South Korea) 6:05am (7;05pm in Seoul) (ESPN); SD 15-11 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports] [Mookie] [MookieBetts] [Manny] [Xander] [Padres]
Thursday, March 28[]
MIL @ NYM 1:10pm; PPD due to rain, rescheduled to the next day (off-day is removed)- LAA @ BAL 3:05pm; BAL 11-3 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
ATL @ PHI 3:05pm; PPD due to rain, rescheduled to the next day (off-day is removed)- WSH @ CIN 4:10pm; CIN 8-2 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- SF @ SD 4:10pm; SD 6-4 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- STL @ LAD 4:10pm; LAD 7-1 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- TOR @ TB 4:10pm; TOR 8-2 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- MIN @ KC 4:10pm; MIN 4-1 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- DET @ CWS 4:10pm; DET 1-0 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- PIT @ MIA 4:10pm; PIT 6-5 (12) [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- NYY @ HOU 4:10pm; NYY 5-4 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- CHC @ TEX (Interleague) 7:35pm; TEX 4-3 (10) [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- CLE @ OAK 10:07pm; CLE 8-0 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- COL @ AZ 10:10pm; AZ 16-1 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- BOS @ SEA 10:10pm; BOS 6-4 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
Friday, March 29 (only for rescheduled games)
- MIL @ NYM 1:40pm; MIL 3-1 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
- ATL @ PHI 3:05pm; ATL 9-3 [MLB] [YouTube] [BaseballReference] [Savant] [CBS_Sports]
References[]
External links[]
- Baseball's Unique Spectacle: Opening Day by the National Baseball Hall of Fame
- Opening Day Notes by the National Baseball Hall of Fame
- Cincinnati Eager for Opening Day by MLB.com