The Milwaukee Brewers play their inaugural game as a National League team and lose to the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field, 2 – 1. Milwaukee is the first team since the inception of the American League in 1901 to switch leagues. All-time home run leader and fan favorite Hank Aaron helps to mark Milwaukee’s historic return to the NL with a rare on-the-field appearance.

ByTom

The Milwaukee Brewers play their inaugural game as a National League team and lose to the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field, 2 – 1. Milwaukee is the first team since the inception of the American League in 1901 to switch leagues. All-time home run leader and fan favorite Hank Aaron helps to mark Milwaukee’s historic return to the NL with a rare on-the-field appearance.

The Tigers spoil the Devil Rays’ major league debut, beating the American League’s newest team, 6-2 at Tropicana Field in Tampa. After Hall-of-Famers Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Al Lopez, and Monte Irvin throw out ceremonial first pitches, Wilson Alvarez, the losing pitcher, hurls the first pitch in franchise history – a ball to Detroit’s center fielder Brian Hunter.

The Tigers spoil the Devil Rays’ major league debut, beating the American League’s newest team, 6-2 at Tropicana Field in Tampa. After Hall-of-Famers Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Al Lopez, and Monte Irvin throw out ceremonial first pitches, Wilson Alvarez, the losing pitcher, hurls the first pitch in franchise history – a ball to Detroit’s center fielder Brian Hunter.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Tigers spoil the Devil Rays’ major league debut, beating the American League’s newest team, 6-2 at Tropicana Field in Tampa. After Hall-of-Famers Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Al Lopez, and Monte Irvin throw out ceremonial first pitches, Wilson Alvarez, the losing pitcher, hurls the first pitch in franchise history – a ball to Detroit’s center fielder Brian Hunter.

In their first game ever, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays lose to the Detroit Tigers, 11 – 6. Pitcher Wilson Alvarez takes the loss for Tampa while third baseman Wade Boggs hits the first home run in team history and drives in three runs.

ByTom

In their first game ever, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays lose to the Detroit Tigers, 11 – 6. Pitcher Wilson Alvarez takes the loss for Tampa while third baseman Wade Boggs hits the first home run in team history and drives in three runs.

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies tie the National League mark for the longest Opening Day game, with New York coming out on top with a 1 – 0 victory in 14 innings on pinch-hitter Alberto Castillo’s single. Curt Schilling shuts out the Mets for the first eight innings on only two hits, while striking out nine.

ByTom

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies tie the National League mark for the longest Opening Day game, with New York coming out on top with a 1 – 0 victory in 14 innings on pinch-hitter Alberto Castillo’s single. Curt Schilling shuts out the Mets for the first eight innings on only two hits, while striking out nine.

With a rare on-the-field appearance, Hank Aaron helps to mark Milwaukee’s historic return to the Senior Circuit as the Brewers play their inaugural game as a National League team, losing to the Braves at Turner Field, 2-1. Milwaukee is the first team since the inception of the American League in 1901 to switch leagues.

ByTom

With a rare on-the-field appearance, Hank Aaron helps to mark Milwaukee’s historic return to the Senior Circuit as the Brewers play their inaugural game as a National League team, losing to the Braves at Turner Field, 2-1. Milwaukee is the first team since the inception of the American League in 1901 to switch leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals rookie pitcher Braden Looper makes an auspicious major league debut in St. Louis’ 6 – 0 victory over the Dodgers. Looper enters the game in the 9th inning and strikes out all three batters he faces – Todd Zeile, Raúl Mondesi, and Paul Konerko. The Dodgers are held to three hits by four St. Louis pitchers.

ByTom

St. Louis Cardinals rookie pitcher Braden Looper makes an auspicious major league debut in St. Louis’ 6 – 0 victory over the Dodgers. Looper enters the game in the 9th inning and strikes out all three batters he faces – Todd Zeile, Raúl Mondesi, and Paul Konerko. The Dodgers are held to three hits by four St. Louis pitchers.

The San Francisco Giants win their opener against the Houston Astros, 9 – 4, as Jeff Kent gets five hits, including a double and home run, and collects four RBI. Houston second baseman Craig Biggio, who last year became only the third player in major league history to go an entire season without grounding into a double play, hits into a twin-killing in his second at-bat this year.

ByTom

The San Francisco Giants win their opener against the Houston Astros, 9 – 4, as Jeff Kent gets five hits, including a double and home run, and collects four RBI. Houston second baseman Craig Biggio, who last year became only the third player in major league history to go an entire season without grounding into a double play, hits into a twin-killing in his second at-bat this year.

The Arizona Diamondbacks drop a 9 – 2 decision to the Colorado Rockies in their first game ever. Andy Benes is tagged with the loss, and rookies Travis Lee, who gets three hits, and Karim Garcia, hit home runs. Vinny Castilla drives in five runs for Colorado.

ByTom

The Arizona Diamondbacks drop a 9 – 2 decision to the Colorado Rockies in their first game ever. Andy Benes is tagged with the loss, and rookies Travis Lee, who gets three hits, and Karim Garcia, hit home runs. Vinny Castilla drives in five runs for Colorado.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Pokey Reese, starting in place of Barry Larkin who is on the disabled list, commits four errors on his first three chances in the field as the Reds lose their opener, 10 – 2, to the San Diego Padres.

ByTom

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Pokey Reese, starting in place of Barry Larkin who is on the disabled list, commits four errors on his first three chances in the field as the Reds lose their opener, 10 – 2, to the San Diego Padres.

Florida Marlins catcher Charles Johnson, who had not committed an error in a record 172 consecutive regular season games, is charged with one on a wild throw in the 1st inning of Florida’s opening day 11 – 6 victory over the Cubs. Johnson hits a three-run home run in Florida’s six-run 1st inning to atone for his miscue. The defending champs will lose their next 10 games.

ByTom

Florida Marlins catcher Charles Johnson, who had not committed an error in a record 172 consecutive regular season games, is charged with one on a wild throw in the 1st inning of Florida’s opening day 11 – 6 victory over the Cubs. Johnson hits a three-run home run in Florida’s six-run 1st inning to atone for his miscue. The defending champs will lose their next 10 games.