On October 24, 2007 — In a 13-1 rout of the Colorado Rockies, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia becomes the second player, and the first rookie to hit a leadoff home run in a World Series opener off Jeff Francis. The 24 year-old rookie, the 31st major leaguer to homer in his first Fall Classic appearance, joins Orioles’ outfielder Don Buford, who went yard in 1969 as a leadoff batter in Game 1 off Tom Seaver of the Mets.