Notable Debut – Page 9 – Society for American Baseball Research

Fernando Valenzuela (LOS ANGELES DODGERS)

April 9, 1981: The birth of Fernandomania on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium

August 10, 1981: Cal Ripken Jr. makes his major-league debut

Ryne Sandberg (Trading Card Database)

September 2, 1981: Eddie Miller steals win for Braves, spoiling Ryne Sandberg’s major-league debut

April 3, 1982: Twins shut out Phillies in exhibition to open the Metrodome

Ryne Sandberg (Trading Card Database)

April 23, 1982: Rookie Ryne Sandberg records first two homers as Cubs drop slugfest to Pirates

Tony Gwynn (NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME LIBRARY)

July 19, 1982: Tony Gwynn records two hits in his major-league debut for Padres

Ryne Sandberg in the mid-1980s (SABR-Rucker Archive)

June 23, 1984: The Sandberg Game

April 8, 1986: Will Clark produces thrill in major-league debut

Jim Leyland (Trading Card DB)

April 12, 1986: Pirates’ 8th-inning rally gives Jim Leyland first win as manager

Ken Griffey Jr. with the Bellingham Mariners (Trading Card Database)

June 17, 1987: Mariners prospect Ken Griffey Jr. hits his first professional home run in Everett

August 9, 1988: Cubs win first official night game at Wrigley Field

April 3, 1989: Ken Griffey Jr. makes major-league debut for Mariners

June 5, 1989: Blue Jays play first game in SkyDome

April 24, 1991: Close but no no-no for Kile in debut; Astros squeeze past Reds in 13

August 4, 1991: Mike Mussina tosses 4-hitter in MLB debut, but Orioles lose 1-0

August 11, 1991: ‘Untouchable’ Wilson Alvarez pitches a no-hitter in second major-league start

Jim Thome (Trading Card Database)

October 4, 1991: Jim Thome’s first career home run pushes Cleveland past Yankees

Opening Day for Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles)

April 6, 1992: Orioles win season opener at brand-new Camden Yards

April 5, 1993: Florida Marlins victorious in franchise debut behind Charlie Hough

Dusty Baker (Trading Card DB)

April 6, 1993: Dusty Baker wins managerial debut as Giants edge Cardinals on Opening Day

April 9, 1993: A Rocky Mountain high on Opening Day in Colorado

September 17, 1993: Expos fans shower Curtis Pride with cheers after first hit

Michael Jordan (TRADING CARD DB)

March 4, 1994: Michael Jordan makes his baseball debut with Chicago White Sox in spring training

April 4, 1994: Indians open Jacobs Field in style with extra-inning win