Arizona switch-hitter Felipe Lopez becomes the first player to homer from both sides of the plate on Opening Day when he goes deep in the top of the fourth inning off Glendon Rusch, after connecting off Colorado starter Aaron Cook to lead off the game. An inning later, the Diamondback second baseman’s unique feat is matched by Tony Clark, making the pair the first set of teammates to homer from both sides of the plate on the first day of the season.

ByTom

Arizona switch-hitter Felipe Lopez becomes the first player to homer from both sides of the plate on Opening Day when he goes deep in the top of the fourth inning off Glendon Rusch, after connecting off Colorado starter Aaron Cook to lead off the game. An inning later, the Diamondback second baseman’s unique feat is matched by Tony Clark, making the pair the first set of teammates to homer from both sides of the plate on the first day of the season.

In Florida’s 12-6 victory over the Nationals at Dolphin Stadium, Emilio Bonifacio hits an inside-the-park home run, the first on Opening Day since Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski accomplished the feat in 1968. The round-tripper, one of four hits for the Marlins’ third baseman, is the first big league homer of his career.

ByTom

In Florida’s 12-6 victory over the Nationals at Dolphin Stadium, Emilio Bonifacio hits an inside-the-park home run, the first on Opening Day since Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski accomplished the feat in 1968. The round-tripper, one of four hits for the Marlins’ third baseman, is the first big league homer of his career.

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The “Kid’s” historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as major league baseball’s first black manager.

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The “Kid’s” historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as major league baseball’s first black manager.

ByTom

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The “Kid’s” historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as major league baseball’s first black manager.

Marquee free agent signees CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira have a rough time in their debut for the New York Yankees. Sabathia gives up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4 1/3 innings and Teixeira goes 0 for 4 as the Orioles defeat the Yanks, 10 – 5, at Camden Yards. Cesar Izturis hits a two-run homer and Aubrey Huff a two-run double for the Birds as Jeremy Guthrie picks up the win.

ByBaseball

Marquee free agent signees CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira have a rough time in their debut for the New York Yankees. Sabathia gives up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4 1/3 innings and Teixeira goes 0 for 4 as the Orioles defeat the Yanks, 10 – 5, at Camden Yards. Cesar Izturis hits a two-run homer and Aubrey Huff a two-run double for the Birds as Jeremy Guthrie picks up the win.

Vladimir Guerrero drives in a run in a 3 – 0 Angels win over the A’s. It is his 19th RBI on Opening Day, breaking the record he shared with Jeff Kent and Frank Robinson.

ByBaseball

Vladimir Guerrero drives in a run in a 3 – 0 Angels win over the A’s. It is his 19th RBI on Opening Day, breaking the record he shared with Jeff Kent and Frank Robinson.

Down 4 – 2 in the 9th, the Pirates rally with two outs against Jason Motte to beat the Cardinals. With two away and one on, Adam LaRoche singles, pinch-hitter Eric Hinske doubles in a run, Brandon Moss gets plunked and Jack Wilson delivers a three-run double for the win.

ByBaseball

Down 4 – 2 in the 9th, the Pirates rally with two outs against Jason Motte to beat the Cardinals. With two away and one on, Adam LaRoche singles, pinch-hitter Eric Hinske doubles in a run, Brandon Moss gets plunked and Jack Wilson delivers a three-run double for the win.

In Toronto, Adam Lind drives in 6 runs, including a three-run homer in the 4th, as the Blue Jays defeat Detroit, 12 – 5, on opening day. Rookie Travis Snider adds a home run off Justin Verlander for the Jays, while Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge, the latter with a three-run shot, go deep for the Tigers off winning pitcher Roy Halladay.

ByBaseball

In Toronto, Adam Lind drives in 6 runs, including a three-run homer in the 4th, as the Blue Jays defeat Detroit, 12 – 5, on opening day. Rookie Travis Snider adds a home run off Justin Verlander for the Jays, while Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge, the latter with a three-run shot, go deep for the Tigers off winning pitcher Roy Halladay.

2009 – The major league season opens with the Braves topping the defending World Series champion Phillies, 4 – 1. Derek Lowe tosses a two-hit shutout over 8 innings. Offensive support comes on homers by Brian McCann(a two-run shot in the 1st off Brett Myers), Jeff Francoeur and Jordan Schafer. Schafer’s home run comes in his first major league at-bat.

ByBaseball

2009 – The major league season opens with the Braves topping the defending World Series champion Phillies, 4 – 1. Derek Lowe tosses a two-hit shutout over 8 innings. Offensive support comes on homers by Brian McCann(a two-run shot in the 1st off Brett Myers), Jeff Francoeur and Jordan Schafer. Schafer’s home run comes in his first major league at-bat.

On a damp and chilly New York night, both the Mets and Yankees open their new stadiums with exhibition games. The double debut in the Big Apple sees each team come away with a victory when the Amazin’s beat the Red Sox, 4-3, and the Bronx Bombers launch three homers to defeat the Cubs, 7-4.

ByBaseball

On a damp and chilly New York night, both the Mets and Yankees open their new stadiums with exhibition games. The double debut in the Big Apple sees each team come away with a victory when the Amazin’s beat the Red Sox, 4-3, and the Bronx Bombers launch three homers to defeat the Cubs, 7-4.

The Mets, obligated only to pay the major league minimum of $400,000, sign Gary Sheffield (.225, 19, 57) in hopes of adding a much-needed right-handed bat to the lineup. The 40 year-old offensively challenged outfielder, who has 499 career home runs, was unexpectedly released by the Tigers earlier in the week despite having $14 million left on his contract.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mets, obligated only to pay the major league minimum of $400,000, sign Gary Sheffield (.225, 19, 57) in hopes of adding a much-needed right-handed bat to the lineup. The 40 year-old offensively challenged outfielder, who has 499 career home runs, was unexpectedly released by the Tigers earlier in the week despite having $14 million left on his contract.