For the first time since the New York Mets started play in 1962, both New York teams open the season at home on the same day. The Mets improve their Opening Day record to a major league best 34-18 by crushing the Padres, 11 – 2, behind the pitching of Jon Niese and a double and grand slam from new CF Collin Cowgill. Things aren’t so good for the Yankees, who lose to the Red Sox, 8 – 2.

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For the first time since the New York Mets started play in 1962, both New York teams open the season at home on the same day. The Mets improve their Opening Day record to a major league best 34-18 by crushing the Padres, 11 – 2, behind the pitching of Jon Niese and a double and grand slam from new CF Collin Cowgill. Things aren’t so good for the Yankees, who lose to the Red Sox, 8 – 2.

The legend of Bryce Harper keeps growing. He homers off Miami’s Ricky Nolasco in his first two at-bats of the season and accounts for all of the Nationals’ runs in a 2 – 0 Opening Day win at home. Harper, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is the youngest player to homer twice on Opening Day. Stephen Strasburg gets the win, giving up three hits and no walks in seven innings.

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The legend of Bryce Harper keeps growing. He homers off Miami’s Ricky Nolasco in his first two at-bats of the season and accounts for all of the Nationals’ runs in a 2 – 0 Opening Day win at home. Harper, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is the youngest player to homer twice on Opening Day. Stephen Strasburg gets the win, giving up three hits and no walks in seven innings.

Clayton Kershaw turns in a great all-around performance on Opening Day, pitching a four-hit shutout and homering off George Kontos in the 8th to break a scoreless tie as the Dodgers defeat the Giants, 4 – 0. Don Drysdale, back in 1965, was the last major league pitcher to pitch a shutout and homer on opening day, also for the Dodgers.

ByBaseball

Clayton Kershaw turns in a great all-around performance on Opening Day, pitching a four-hit shutout and homering off George Kontos in the 8th to break a scoreless tie as the Dodgers defeat the Giants, 4 – 0. Don Drysdale, back in 1965, was the last major league pitcher to pitch a shutout and homer on opening day, also for the Dodgers.

For the first time in major league history, an interleague contest is played on Opening Day, as the American League’s Angels visit the National League Reds. The Angels win, 3 – 1, in 13 innings, after both starters, Jered Weaver and Johnny Cueto are dominant in the early going. Worse than the loss for the Reds is the dislocated shoulder suffered by LF Ryan Ludwick, sustained when he dives for a ball in the 3rd inning. With the Houston Astros moving to the AL this season, there is a necessity to play at least one interleague series at all times, as both leagues now number an odd 15 teams.

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For the first time in major league history, an interleague contest is played on Opening Day, as the American League’s Angels visit the National League Reds. The Angels win, 3 – 1, in 13 innings, after both starters, Jered Weaver and Johnny Cueto are dominant in the early going. Worse than the loss for the Reds is the dislocated shoulder suffered by LF Ryan Ludwick, sustained when he dives for a ball in the 3rd inning. With the Houston Astros moving to the AL this season, there is a necessity to play at least one interleague series at all times, as both leagues now number an odd 15 teams.

On Opening Day Jackie Bradley Jr. becomes the first major leaguer to wear “Jr.” on the back of his jersey

On Opening Day Jackie Bradley Jr. becomes the first major leaguer to wear “Jr.” on the back of his jersey

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On Opening Day, Jackie Bradley Jr. has a memorable major league debut when he walks three times, scores twice, and robs Robinson Cano of an extra-base hit with an outstanding defensive play in the Red Sox’ 8-2 victory over New York at Yankee Stadium. The 22 year-old Boston rookie outfielder also makes uniform history, becoming the first major leaguer to wear “Jr.” on the back of his jersey.

Bryce Harper, providing all of the offense the Nationals will need, becomes the youngest player to homer twice on Opening Day. The 20 year-old outfielder, playing in his first Opening Day as a major leaguer, hits solo shots in the first and fourth frame in Washington’s 2-0 victory over Miami.

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Bryce Harper, providing all of the offense the Nationals will need, becomes the youngest player to homer twice on Opening Day. The 20 year-old outfielder, playing in his first Opening Day as a major leaguer, hits solo shots in the first and fourth frame in Washington’s 2-0 victory over Miami.

Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino, who will end the day with an 0-1 record when he gives up a walk-off sac fly in an Opening Day loss to Milwaukee, becomes the first big league pitcher to wear the number 0, joining position players Oddibe McDowell (1985-88), Junior Ortiz (1989-2004), and Al Oliver (1978-85). Several players, including hurlers including Bobo Newsome (1943), Curtis Leskanic (2000-01), Rick White (2005-06), and Brian Wilson (2003-14), have donned a double-zero.

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Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino, who will end the day with an 0-1 record when he gives up a walk-off sac fly in an Opening Day loss to Milwaukee, becomes the first big league pitcher to wear the number 0, joining position players Oddibe McDowell (1985-88), Junior Ortiz (1989-2004), and Al Oliver (1978-85). Several players, including hurlers including Bobo Newsome (1943), Curtis Leskanic (2000-01), Rick White (2005-06), and Brian Wilson (2003-14), have donned a double-zero.

Indians P Ubaldo Jimenez starts a bench-clearing brawl when he plucks former teammate Troy Tulowitzki in the elbow in the 1st inning of a Cactus League game. The Rockies are convinced the gesture is intentional, as there is some bad blood between the two, dating back to Jimenez criticizing his former team for not offering him a long-term contract last year, and Tulowitzki replying through the media that “there’s a certain point in this game where you go play and you shut your mouth.” Tulowitzki is taken out of the game, but x-rays on his elbow are negative. For his part, Jimenez will receive a five-game suspension.

ByBaseball

Indians P Ubaldo Jimenez starts a bench-clearing brawl when he plucks former teammate Troy Tulowitzki in the elbow in the 1st inning of a Cactus League game. The Rockies are convinced the gesture is intentional, as there is some bad blood between the two, dating back to Jimenez criticizing his former team for not offering him a long-term contract last year, and Tulowitzki replying through the media that “there’s a certain point in this game where you go play and you shut your mouth.” Tulowitzki is taken out of the game, but x-rays on his elbow are negative. For his part, Jimenez will receive a five-game suspension.

The Cardinals’ Lance Berkman plays an April Fools prank on teammate Adam Wainwright

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Cardinals’ Lance Berkman plays an April Fools prank on teammate Adam Wainwright. Before the 3rd inning of a Grapefruit League game, Wainwright’s white Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck is driven on the warning track at Roger Dean Stadium as the public address announcer states that it will be given away to a lucky fan. A stunned Wainwright watches from the bench as the supposed prize winners, a father and his son, climb into the bed of the truck when it stops in front of the home dugout and Berkman, who is driving, pokes his head out of the window, waves to everyone, and drives away.

The Reds trade 3B Juan Francisco, once a top prospect but now out of minor league options, to the Braves­ in return for minor league P J.J. Hoover after he fails to make the team out of spring training.

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The Reds trade 3B Juan Francisco, once a top prospect but now out of minor league options, to the Braves­ in return for minor league P J.J. Hoover after he fails to make the team out of spring training.