Opening Day – Page 5 – Society for American Baseball Research

Clyde Vollmer (TRADING CARD DB)

April 18, 1952: ‘Dutch the Clutch’ Vollmer sparks first Red Sox home opener win in 5 years

April 14, 1953: Milwaukee Braves christen County Stadium with ceremonies, civic pride, and Hollywood-style extra-inning victory

April 13, 1954: Tom Alston makes Cardinals history as first Black player to take the field

1951-Giants-researchbox-Mays-readbios

April 13, 1954: Willie Mays returns to Giants after service in Army

Courtesy of Trading Card Database

April 13, 1954: Athletics prevail on final Opening Day in Philadelphia

April 13, 1954: Pirates’ Vern Law celebrates return from military service with Opening Day win

1954 Baltimore Orioles program (COURTESY OF THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES)

April 15, 1954: Orioles return to Baltimore after 52 years

1955 Kansas City Athletics yearbook (COURTESY OF STEPHEN V. RICE)

April 12, 1955: Connie Mack, Harry Truman see Athletics win in Kansas City debut

Chuck Tanner (Trading Card Database)

April 12, 1955: Baseball lifer Chuck Tanner shows he’s here to stay with a home run on the first pitch

April 13, 1955: Brooklyn Dodgers start championship season with win over Opening Day

April 13, 1955: Whitey Ford pitches and hits Yankees to lopsided Opening Day win

April 17, 1956: Phillies, Robin Roberts beat World Series champion Dodgers on Opening Day

Ernie Banks (Trading Card DB)

April 20, 1956: Banks, Irvin, Jones lead Cubs to home opener win

Gino Cimoli

April 16, 1957: Gino Cimoli homers in 12th inning, Dodgers edge Phillies on Opening Day

Andy Carey (Trading Card DB)

April 16, 1957: Yankees start off season right with Opening Day win over Senators

April 15, 1958: Indians’ Herb Score returns for Opening Day start but falls to A’s, Ned Garver

April 15, 1958: Giants, Dodgers meet on the West Coast for the first time

April 18, 1958: Dodgers make Los Angeles debut in win over rival Giants

Pumpsie Green (NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME LIBRARY)

April 22, 1958: Pumpsie Green survives parade to lead Millers to Opening Day win

April 10, 1959: Frigid temps, flying fists; White Sox take first step toward a pennant

Sparky Anderson (Trading Card Database)

April 10, 1959: Sparky Anderson debuts, delivers key hit as Robin Roberts outduels Don Newcombe

Chuck Essegian, Trading Card Database

April 12, 1960: Chuck Essegian repeats World Series magic for Dodgers on Opening Day

April 14, 1960: Pirates’ Opening Day win foreshadows a championship

April 18, 1960: Camilo Pascual sets Opening Day record with 15 strikeouts