The Yankees receive their 2009 World Series rings in a ceremony before their home opener at New Yankee Stadium. Hideki Matsui, the Series MVP, gets to join his former teammates for the ceremony, as he now plays for todays’ visitors, the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees bang out 13 hits for a 7 – 5 win. Andy Pettitte picks up the victory with six scoreless innings.

In his first plate appearance of the season, the Cardinals’ Nick Stavinoha hits a two-run pinch homer off all-time save leader Trevor Hoffman of the Brewers for a 5 – 4 win.

Colby Lewis, who spent the last two seasons in Japan, picks up his first major league win since 2004, when he holds the Seattle Mariners to one run over seven innings in a 6 – 2 Rangers victory.

Randy Wells, one of the National League’s top rookie pitchers in 2009, picks up where he left off, pitching six shutout innings in leading the Cubs to their first win of the season, a 2 – 0 blanking of the Braves and fellow sophomore Tommy Hanson. Tyler Colvin and Marlon Byrd hit solo homers for the game’s only runs.

Dontrelle Willis pitches six solid innings in his return to the major leagues as the Tigers beat Kansas City, 7 – 3. Willis went on the disabled list after pitching poorly last June and was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Miguel Cabrera goes 4 for 5 with a homer for Detroit.

The Brewers sign pitcher Yovani Gallardo to a five-year contract extension worth $30.1 million. The 24-year-old was the Brewers’ best pitcher in 2009, going 13-12, 3.73 and topping 200 strikeouts, as well as being their opening day starter this year.

The Angels enter the Guinness Book of World Records by asking 43,510 fans to don free Hideki Matsui fleece blankets, shattering the record of 17,758 people wearing fleece blankets at an event (set during a NBA gimmick by the Cleveland Cavaliers).

The Padres’ Chris Young makes a successful comeback from shoulder surgery last year, pitching San Diego to 6 – 3 win over the Diamondbacks. Everth Cabrera drives in four runs for San Diego, as Edwin Jackson is charged with the loss in his first start for Arizona.

The Angels enter the Guinness Book of World Records by asking 43,510 fans to don free Hideki Matsui fleece blankets, shattering the record of 17,758 people wearing fleece blankets at an event (set during a NBA gimmick by the Cleveland Cavaliers).

The Tampa Bay Rays open their season with a walk-off win against the Baltimore Orioles. Trailing 3 – 2 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, the Rays rally against O’s closer Mike Gonzalez. Sean Rodriguez starts the frame with a single, pinch hitter Kelly Shoppach doubles, and Jason Bartlett is walked intentionally to load the bases. Carl Crawford then sends 36,973 fans home happy with a two-run double to right field. Solo homers by Adam Jones, Luke Scott and Matt Wieters off James Shields account for all the Orioles’ runs.