With Sunday Night Baseball now behind us, Major League Baseball now celebrates the start of the regular season with Opening Day. In anticipation for another amazing season, take a look at a countdown of the Top 10 moments in Opening Day history.
No. 10: 16 Innings of Heaven
Opening Day 2012 gave Baseball fans a season's worth of action in one game. The Indians and Blue Jays squared off on April 5, 2012 in game many fans thought would never end (literally). The Indians had a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning before all-star closer Chris Perez opened the flood gates. The Blue Jays rallied for three runs in the ninth and went on to win the game, 7-4, in 16 innings. The game went so long that Blue Jays' infielder Omar Vizquel, who was 45 years old at the time, had to play in the outfield.
"I guess we got in the record books," Indians pitcher Justin Masterson said at the time. "That's something. Who started it? That's a trivia question."
No. 9: The Jay-Hey Kid
No Braves' player since Hank Aaron has received the praise at such a young age that Jason Heyward has. Heyward made his Major League debut on April 5, 2010 when the Braves took on the Cubs at home. The Cubs were starting veteran right handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano, but that made no difference to Heyward. In his first Major League at bat, Heyward (then age 20) crushed a three-run home run against Zambrano. It was the star of an all-star season for Heyward and the Braves.
No. 8: The Presidential Pitch
Opening Day 1910 in Washington is forever a part of American history. The Senators were at home to take on the Connie Mack led Athletics. Senators' owner Clark Griffith devised a brilliant marketing plan to draw more spectators to the ballpark. He wanted then President William Taft to throw out the first pitch at Opening Day. Taft made Major League history the prior season by becoming the first President since Benjamin Harrison in 1892 to attend a Professional Baseball game in Washington.
Taft loved sports and was thrilled to throw out the opening pitch. The Senators went on to win the game, 3-0. Senators' legend and future Baseball Hall of Famer, Walter Johnson, threw a complete game, one hitter.
“I like it [baseball] for two reasons,” Taft said a month after throwing out the first pitch. “First, because I enjoy it myself and second, because if by the presence of the temporary chief magistrate such a healthy amusement can be encouraged, I want to encourage it.”
No. 7: Karl Rhodes vs. Dwight Gooden
The Cubs' opener in 1994 against the Mets was a great moment in the career of six-year outfielder Tuffy Rhodes. Rhodes, a .224 career hitter, smacked three home runs on Opening Day against Mets' starter Dwight Gooden. Rhodes would retire after the 1995 season. He had 13 lifetime home runs, three of which came on this very special opening day.
No. 6: The Fans Strike Back
Opening Day 1995 was delayed and destroyed by the Owners and Player's Association for failing to reach a deal prior to the end of the 1994 season. The end of the 1994 season, playoffs and even the World Series was canceled due to the selfishness of people on both sides of the table. Baseball returned for a shortened season in 1995, but the game had to work hard in order gain back the trust of the fans. Some fans still avoid baseball to this day because of the past mistakes by players and owners. Opening Day 1995 will never be forgotten, but also may never be forgiven.
No. 5: No-No Feller, Hitters are not Toys
1940 proved to be another magnificent season in the Hall of Fame career for Indians' right-hander. “Bullet Bob” as he was known won his first and only pitching Triple Crown. He led the American League in wins (27) ERA (2.61) and strikeouts (261). Opening Day was an indicator to just how well Feller was going to to perform.
Feller started the season by no-hitting the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park. He walked five and struck out eight batters. This was the first of multiple no-hitters for Feller. It's ironic that his first no-hitter came in his most dominant season.
No. 4: Baseball Players can Cry
The Baseball world mourned the loss of Veteran umpire, John McSherry, on opening day in 1996. He suffered a heart attack while working home plate during the Reds home opener. McSherry was rushed to the Hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that day. Fellow umpires, Steve Rippley and Jerry Crawford, decided to postpone the game. Reds' manager Ray Knight told the media a quote he heard from his shortstop (and future Hall of Famer) Barry Larkin.
“Ray, I've had a lot of deaths in my family. In good conscience, out of respect for life, I can't go out there.”
Baseball will never forget the passing of McSherry. He was a great umpire who worked two World Series (1977 and 1987) and eight National League Championship Series. May he RIP!
No. 3: 714
Can you imagine the pressure Hank Aaron must've been feeling heading into the 1973 off season? Aaron stood on the doorsteps of history, ready to ring the bell at 714 Ruth Lane, Bronx NY. He entered the off-season with 713 career home runs; one shy of tying Babe Ruth all-time record.
Aaron must've wanted the pressure over quickly. He homered in his first at bat of the 1973 season; a three-run shot off Cincinnati's Jack Billingham. Ruth and Aaron would remain tied until April 8, when Aaron hit number 715 against the Dodgers.
No. 2: The House that Ruth Built
After losing the 1922 World Series championship to the New York Giants, the Yankees were looking to claim their first title in 1923. Leading the charge was the Bambino himself, Babe Ruth. Ruth and the Yankees played Opening Day at their new “Yankee Stadium.” As we look back on it, history was kind enough to schedule the Red Sox against the Bronx Bombers that day.
The legend of Ruth continued with one swing on opening day. He hit the first home run in the history of Yankee Stadium, a blast against Red Sox starter Howard Ehmke. The Yankees went on the win the game, 4-1 and would go on to win the 1923 World Series against the New York Giants.
No. 1: Jackie Robinson
There are at least “42” reasons why the Dodgers opening day game in 1947 was, is and will always be the most memorable game in Baseball history. Jackie Robinson, the Major League's first African American player since Moses Walker in 1884, graced the field with his play. Robinson, who would go on to win the first National League Rookie of the Year in 1947, went 0-3 in the game. However, it was the greatest 0-3 game in Major League history. Robinson's courage inspired a great change in American history and allowed African American players the right to play Major League Baseball.
While it's a shame Major League Baseball fans will never see Satchel Paige or Josh Gibson in their primes, we all have Jackie Robinson to thank for advancing the game of baseball. Opening Day 1947 will never be forgotten, in baseball or American history.
Did I leave any moments off the list? Let us know in the comments section below!
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