Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who goes 3-for-4 in the team’s 3-2 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field, becomes the first American Leaguer to have multiple extra-base hits in the first three games of the season. In 2015, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez also accomplished the feat, collecting at least two hits in each of LA’s first three contests when he compiled ten hits his first 14 at-bats of the season.

ByTom

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who goes 3-for-4 in the team’s 3-2 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field, becomes the first American Leaguer to have multiple extra-base hits in the first three games of the season. In 2015, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez also accomplished the feat, collecting at least two hits in each of LA’s first three contests when he compiled ten hits his first 14 at-bats of the season.

SunTrust Park, located in Cobb County, GA, is inaugurated with an exhibition game between the Braves and Yankees. The contest is held in spite of the collapse of a span of Interstate 85, which bisects downtown Atlanta, GA, creating huge traffic problems. The new suburban ballpark will get its official opening in two weeks.

ByTom

SunTrust Park, located in Cobb County, GA, is inaugurated with an exhibition game between the Braves and Yankees. The contest is held in spite of the collapse of a span of Interstate 85, which bisects downtown Atlanta, GA, creating huge traffic problems. The new suburban ballpark will get its official opening in two weeks.

Tim Raines, recently elected to the Hall of Fame is honored before a huge crowd gathered for a pre-season exhibition game featuring the Blue Jays and Pirates at Stade Olympique. Stephen Bronfman, former Montreal Expos minority owner and spokesman for the “Montreal Baseball Group” tells the media the group has assembled the needed capital and has plans for building a ballpark in Montreal, QC, adding that when Commissioner Rob Manfred calls on them to ether relocate a team or proceed with expansion, the group will be ready.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Tim Raines, recently elected to the Hall of Fame is honored before a huge crowd gathered for a pre-season exhibition game featuring the Blue Jays and Pirates at Stade Olympique. Stephen Bronfman, former Montreal Expos minority owner and spokesman for the “Montreal Baseball Group” tells the media the group has assembled the needed capital and has plans for building a ballpark in Montreal, QC, adding that when Commissioner Rob Manfred calls on them to ether relocate a team or proceed with expansion, the group will be ready.

2016 – In a 6-6 tie between the Hanshin Tigers and Yakult Swallows, Hanshin rookie Shun Takayama goes 4 for 6. He leads off the game with a homer, becoming only the second NPB rookie to hit their first career homer on the first pitch of the game, following Yoshito Fujino way back in 1944. He takes Kyle Davies deep for the historic hit.

ByTom

2016 – In a 6-6 tie between the Hanshin Tigers and Yakult Swallows, Hanshin rookie Shun Takayama goes 4 for 6. He leads off the game with a homer, becoming only the second NPB rookie to hit their first career homer on the first pitch of the game, following Yoshito Fujino way back in 1944. He takes Kyle Davies deep for the historic hit.

2015 – As teams round out their rosters in preparation for Opening Day, the Mariners trade P Erasmo Ramirez, who is out of options, to Tampa Bay in return for minor league LhP Mike Montgomery.

ByTom

2015 – As teams round out their rosters in preparation for Opening Day, the Mariners trade P Erasmo Ramirez, who is out of options, to Tampa Bay in return for minor league LhP Mike Montgomery.

With the majority of teams opening their season today, expanded instant replay is used for the first time in a major league game. Manager Rich Renteria of the Cubs is the first to challenge an umpire’s decision on calling Jeff Samardzija out on a close play at first base, but the replay confirms the call. Shortly thereafter, the Braves’ Fredi Gonzalez issues the first successful challenge, as umpire Greg Gibson’s safe call at first base on Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun is overturned after a quick review. And Mike Winters is the first umpire to ask for a review himself, making sure that A’s catcher John Jaso correctly blocked the plate in tagging out the Indians’ Michael Brantley at home.

ByTom

With the majority of teams opening their season today, expanded instant replay is used for the first time in a major league game. Manager Rich Renteria of the Cubs is the first to challenge an umpire’s decision on calling Jeff Samardzija out on a close play at first base, but the replay confirms the call. Shortly thereafter, the Braves’ Fredi Gonzalez issues the first successful challenge, as umpire Greg Gibson’s safe call at first base on Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun is overturned after a quick review. And Mike Winters is the first umpire to ask for a review himself, making sure that A’s catcher John Jaso correctly blocked the plate in tagging out the Indians’ Michael Brantley at home.

A new attendance record is set at Marlins Park when 37,116 show up to watch the Marlins manhandle the Rockies, 10 – 1. No doubt many of the fans are there to watch Jose Fernandez, the youngest opening day starter since Dwight Gooden started the Mets’ 1996 season. Fernandez doesn’t disappoint, striking out 9 in 6 innings to earn the win, while Casey McGehee, back in the majors after a season in Japan, drives in 4 runs with a pair of doubles and Marcell Ozuna has three hits including a homer.

ByTom

A new attendance record is set at Marlins Park when 37,116 show up to watch the Marlins manhandle the Rockies, 10 – 1. No doubt many of the fans are there to watch Jose Fernandez, the youngest opening day starter since Dwight Gooden started the Mets’ 1996 season. Fernandez doesn’t disappoint, striking out 9 in 6 innings to earn the win, while Casey McGehee, back in the majors after a season in Japan, drives in 4 runs with a pair of doubles and Marcell Ozuna has three hits including a homer.

Coach Don Baylor suffers a freak injury catching the ceremonial first pitch before the Angels’ opener. Vladimir Guerrero is back in Anaheim to throw the pitch after signing a one-day contract to retire as an Angel, but Baylor twists his leg catching the soft toss and suffers a broken femur. The pair are the only two players to win the MVP award in franchise history.

ByTom

Coach Don Baylor suffers a freak injury catching the ceremonial first pitch before the Angels’ opener. Vladimir Guerrero is back in Anaheim to throw the pitch after signing a one-day contract to retire as an Angel, but Baylor twists his leg catching the soft toss and suffers a broken femur. The pair are the only two players to win the MVP award in franchise history.

2013 – Houston wins its first game as an American League team, overpowering cross-state rivals Texas, 8 – 2, in the opening game of the season. Justin Maxwell hits a pair of triples, only the sixth player to do so on Opening Day, and Rick Ankiel pinch-hits a three-run homer in the 6th. Bud Norris is the winner and Erik Bedard records his first career save with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. This will be a rare highlight in a season in which the Astros set a franchise record for losses for the third straight year.

ByTom

2013 – Houston wins its first game as an American League team, overpowering cross-state rivals Texas, 8 – 2, in the opening game of the season. Justin Maxwell hits a pair of triples, only the sixth player to do so on Opening Day, and Rick Ankiel pinch-hits a three-run homer in the 6th. Bud Norris is the winner and Erik Bedard records his first career save with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. This will be a rare highlight in a season in which the Astros set a franchise record for losses for the third straight year.

The German Bundesliga season begins, with the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg winning the opener, 7 – 1, over the Mainz Athletics. Former Phillies farmhand Mike Bolsenbroek allows one hit and fans 11 for the win, while Chris Howard hits a two-run homer.

ByTom

The German Bundesliga season begins, with the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg winning the opener, 7 – 1, over the Mainz Athletics. Former Phillies farmhand Mike Bolsenbroek allows one hit and fans 11 for the win, while Chris Howard hits a two-run homer.