On opening day the Astros pull off the first triple play begun with a strikeout
|

On opening day the Astros pull off the first triple play begun with a strikeout

1978 – The traditional Opening Day in Cincinnati is an 11-9 loss to the Reds. Terry Puhl begins the season with a leadoff homer against Tom Seaver and is later joined by Cesar Cedeno and Joe Ferguson in the longball department. Ferguson also starts a triple play when he catches strike three from Joe Sambito, throws out George Foster stealing second then watches Joe Morgan get caught in a rundown between third and home. 

The Toronto Blue Jays play their first game ever

The Toronto Blue Jays play their first game ever

At Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays play their first game ever with a victory against the Chicago White Sox, 9 – 5. In his first major league at-bat Toronto’s Al Woods becomes the first player to pinch-hit a home run on Opening Day and rookie Doug Ault homers twice, in the 1st and 5th innings, off Francisco Barrios. Snowflakes are seen during the game.

The First Home Opener in LA Dodgers history rained out

The First Home Opener in LA Dodgers history rained out

On April 12, 1976 Los Angeles Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey uses umbrella as he watches rain fall at Dodger Stadium. After a wait of 75 minutes the scheduled home opener with the San Diego Padres was postponed. “The rainout was the first for a regular-season game at Dodger Stadium since April 21, 1967, when…

Jim Palmer outduels Ferguson Jenkins 1-0 on opening day

Jim Palmer outduels Ferguson Jenkins 1-0 on opening day

Orioles’ right-hander Jim Palmer and Boston’s Ferguson Jenkins, both future members of the Hall of Fame, stage a classic pitching duel at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium on Opening Day. The Birds, behind the eight-inning, six-hit effort by ‘Cakes,’ beat the Red Sox and Fergie, who goes the distance, 1-0, thanks to an unearned run scored in the fourth inning.

At Veterans Stadium, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt hits a ninth inning two-run home run off Tug McGraw to beat the Mets on Opening Day, 5-4. The walk-off homer is the first of the league-leading 36 dingers the third baseman will hit this season.

At Veterans Stadium, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt hits a ninth inning two-run home run off Tug McGraw to beat the Mets on Opening Day, 5-4. The walk-off homer is the first of the league-leading 36 dingers the third baseman will hit this season.

At Veterans Stadium, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt hits a ninth inning two-run home run off Tug McGraw to beat the Mets on Opening Day, 5-4. The walk-off homer is the first of the league-leading 36 dingers the third baseman will hit this season.

Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth for All Time Homerun Record
|

Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth for All Time Homerun Record

On April 4, 1974, Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron blasts an historic three-run home run against Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jack Billingham on Opening Day. The home run is the 714th of Aaron’s Hall of Fame career, tying him with the legendary Babe Ruth for the most home runs in major league history.

The Indians break their Opening Day American League attendance with a record crowd of 74,420

The Indians break their Opening Day American League attendance with a record crowd of 74,420

The Indians break their Opening Day American League attendance record when a crowd of 74,420 watches Gaylord Perry go the distance in the Tribe’s 2-1 victory over Detroit at Cleveland Stadium. The previous mark had been set by the team in 1948 in the season opener against St. Louis.

Don Sutton beats the Reds 3-1 on opening day
|

Don Sutton beats the Reds 3-1 on opening day

On April 15, 1972 at Riverfront Stadium, on opening day Future Hall of Famer Don Sutton faces off against the Cincinnati Reds and Jack Billingham. Sutton beats the Reds 3-1, the only blemish on the day was Dennis Menke who homers. Frank Robinson drives in a run and Duke Simms homers for the visitors.@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Sponsor…

Billy Williams clubs a 10th-inning homer off Bob Gibson to give the Cubs a 2 – 1 win over the Cards
|

Billy Williams clubs a 10th-inning homer off Bob Gibson to give the Cubs a 2 – 1 win over the Cards

Before 41‚121 at Chicago‚ Billy Williams clubs a 10th-inning homer off Bob Gibson to give the Cubs a 2 – 1 win over the Cards. Joe Torre’s homer‚ off Fergie Jenkins‚ is the only Cardinal score.