Astros’ outfielder Craig Biggio breaks Bobby Bonds’ National League record when he hits his 31st career leadoff homer, a shot off Cincinnati’s Danny Graves in Houston’s 4-2 victory at Minute Maid Park. Rickey Henderson holds the major league mark, homering 80 times as the first batter for his team.

In a 7-6 victory over the Cardinals at Coors Field, the Rockies turned the first triple play in club history. With Scott Rolen on second base and Tino Martinez on first, Colorado’s first baseman Todd Helton catches Orlando Palmeiro’s soft liner for the first out and throws to shortstop Jose Hernandez, who steps on second for the second out and then tags Martinez to complete the triple killing.

In a 7 – 6 victory over the Cardinals at Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies turn the first triple play in club history. With Scott Rolen on second base and Tino Martinez on first, Colorado first baseman Todd Helton catches Orlando Palmeiro’s soft liner for the first out and throws to shortstop Jose Hernandez who steps on second for the second out and then tags Martinez to complete the feat.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Pirates shut out the Phillies‚ 2 – 0‚ behind Kris Benson. Philadelphia’s Jim Thome goes 0 for 4‚ ending his streak of reaching base safely in 60 straight games‚ the longest streak in the majors since Mark McGwirereached base in 62 games in a row in 1995 and 1996.

Alfonso Soriano and Nick Johnson hit back-to-back homers to start the game as the Yankees beat Tampa Bay‚ 10 – 5. Roger Clemens earns victory #295.

Shea Hillenbrand has a homer‚ 2 doubles‚ and 6 RBI to pace the Red Sox to 12 – 2 win over the Orioles. Nomar Garciaparra adds a walk‚ double‚ triple‚ and homer‚ and scores 4 times as the Sox jump on nemesis Rodrigo Lopez‚ 4-0 versus Boston last year.