At Wrigley Field, a few of the 29,138 patrons at the Cubs opener boo when the Canadian national anthem, “O’ Canada,” is performed before the game against the Expos. The Chicago fans reaction comes as a result of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” being booed before an Islanders-Canadiens hockey game in Montreal due to some of their fans’ opposition to the U.S. war in Iraq.

At Yankee Stadium’s home opener, with the fans chanting his name, Hideki Matsui hits his first major league home run, a grand slam, against the Minnesota Twins.

By going 4 for 4 with three walks, Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton sets a club record by reaching base in all seven plate appearances. Chris Stynes also sets a franchise mark for most plate appearances in a game with eight.

On Opening Day at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates unveil a sculpture of Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner. Kiner, who is depicted in the bronze artwork gripping a Kiner-model Louisville Slugger bat, joins Willie Stargell, Honus Wagner and Roberto Clemente as other former Pirates honored with ballpark statutes.