The Brewers’ Christian Yelich ties a major league record by homering in his fourth straight game from the start of the season. He is the 6th player to accomplish the feat.

19-year-old Elvis Luciano becomes the first player born in the 21st century to appear in a major league game when he makes his debut for the Blue Jays against the Tigers. Never having pitched above Rookie-class before this season, he allows just 1 hit in 1 1/3 inning in a successful outing. This coincides with the last two players who were active in the previous century, Adrian Beltre and Bartolo Colon, both being out of the majors as a page has clearly turned.

2019 – In a very rare occurrence, position players take the mound for both teams in the Dodgers’ 18 – 5 win over the Diamondbacks. The two teams’ bullpens are worn out after playing a 13-inning game the previous night, so with a large deficit in the 7th, Arizona sends back-up catcher John Ryan Murphy to pitch, and he gives up 7 more runs in 2 innings. The Dodgers then ask their own back-up catcher, Russell Martin, to close out the win in the 9th, and he obliges by setting down the side on 10 pitches.

2019 – In his second game as a member of the Cardinals, Paul Goldschmidt has 4 hits including 3 homers, and drives in 5 runs to lead his team to a 9 – 5 win over the Brewers. He comes up to bat again with a chance at a four-homer game in the 9th, but the Brewers walk him intentionally with one out and a runner on second base.

2019 – It’s Opening Day across Major League Baseball as all 30 teams are active, one week after a preliminary two-game opening series in Japan. A record number of homers are hit today – 48 across the majors. Leading the charge are the Dodgers, who hit an opening day record 8 long balls in their 12 – 5 win over the Diamondbacks.

2019 – This spring’s trend of major league teams locking up key players with long-term deals continues. Following recent extensions granted to Mike Trout, Chris Sale and Justin Verlander, among others, today the Mets agree to a five-year extension with ace P Jacob deGrom for $137.5 million, while the Cubs ink Kyle Hendricks until 2023 for an extra $55.5 million.

2019 – The Mariners complete a season-opening two-game sweep of their opening series against the Athletics at the Tokyo Dome with a 5 – 4 win in 12 innings in the second game. Domingo Santana, whose grand slam was the decisive blow in the first game yesterday, beats out a potential double play grounder to drive in the winning run. Ichiro Suzuki goes 0 for 4 as Seattle’s right fielder, then leaves after the 8th inning. He announces after the game that he will now retire from baseball for good.

2019 – The Major League season opens at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, with the A’s hosting the Mariners in the first game of a two-game series. While most of the early attention is directed at 45-year-old Ichiro Suzuki, who starts in right field for Seattle, it’s the sluggers who define the game as the Mariners prevail, 9 – 7. Stephen Piscotty, Khris Davis and Matt Chapman all homer for Oakland, but the M’s reply with long balls by Domingo Santana – a grand slam – and Tim Beckham. Marco Gonzales pitches 6 innings for the win.

2019 – The Angels sign OF Mike Trout to a ten-year extension that will pay him $426.5 million through 2030. This represents the largest contract ever and just about ensures that the greatest player in franchise history will spend his entire career as an Angel.