Remembering the Best Home Openers in Baseball
If you haven't figured by our collection, we are based in Toronto and are massive Toronto Blue Jays fans. Today's home opener is just hours away, and it had us thinking about home openers of years past. Home openers rock - it's the first time your team gets to play in front of their hometown crowd, and it sets the tone for the entire season. Over the years, there have been some truly memorable home openers that have gone down in history as some of the best. From legendary players to unforgettable moments, these top five home openers will always hold a special place in the hearts of baseball fans.
The Birth of the Jays
We recently featured a blog post about it, but the Jays first game in 1977 will always hold a special place in the hearts of Toronto baseball fans. That snowy April day, the Jays won 9-5, buoyed on Doug Ault's two homerun game. Any advanced Blue Jays collector still has their (or at least, a) ticket from that game.
Walter Johnson's 15 IP Shutout
38 years old and approaching the end of his legendary career, The Big Train still had some juice in him to enter the 1926 season as he shut out the Philadelphia Athletics for 15 straight innings, in a game that only ended on Joe Harris’ walk-off hit in the 15th inning at Griffith Stadium.
Bob Feller's No-Hitter in 1940
Still the only time a no-hitter has been thrown on Opening Day, Feller was just a 21 year old flamethrower at this point, already making a name for himself in the big leagues. While it was a no-no, it was also a nail-biter, as Feller walked five, once even loading the bases (after an error) and ultimately only winning by one run over the Chicago White Sox.
Jackie Robinson's Home Debut
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made history when he became the first African American player to play in the major leagues. He made his home debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers in a game against the Boston Braves, and the atmosphere was electric. Despite facing racism and discrimination, Robinson had an incredible game, getting three hits and helping the Dodgers win 5-3. It was a moment that broke down barriers and set the stage for a more inclusive future in baseball.
Hank Aaron's Record-Breaking Home Run
On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's longstanding record. It was a historic moment in baseball history, and it happened during the Braves' home opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The crowd went wild as Aaron rounded the bases, and the cheers didn't stop until he crossed home plate. It was a moment of triumph for Aaron, who faced racism and death threats as he approached the record.
Home openers are an important part of baseball tradition, and these five home opener performances will always be remembered by fans and players alike. From Walter Johnson's pitching performance to Hank Aaron's record-breaking homerun, these moments are a testament to the power of the game and the athletes who play it. As we look forward to another season of baseball, let's remember the incredible moments that have come before and look forward to the incredible moments that are still to come.
Hope to see everybody at the game tonight!