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April 8, 1976: Hammerin’ Hank knocks in three in his final Opening Day

April 6, 1977: Angels debut their first free-agent class; Mariners open play in Seattle

April 7, 1977: A snowy beginning for Toronto’s major-league debut

April 15, 1977: Braves are winners in front of Lynyrd Skynyrd, other Southern stars

Jesse Barfield (THE TOPPS COMPANY)

June 21, 1977: Blue Jays bring baseball back to Utica with Opening Day win

Ellis Valentine

April 6, 1979: Expos edge Pirates in 10-inning season opener

April 10, 1980: Astros’ J.R. Richard flirts with perfection on Opening Day

April 10, 1980: Sixto Lezcano belts grand slam for walk-off win on Opening Day

April 10, 1980: Cardinals’ Vuckovich shuts out defending champion Pirates on Opening Day

April 10, 1980: Rangers’ Mickey Rivers runs home to beat Yankees on Opening Day

Fernando Valenzuela (LOS ANGELES DODGERS)

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

Mike Boddicker (Trading Card DB)

April 10, 1981: Pawtucket, Rochester warm up for longest game with extra innings on Opening Day

Jim Kaat (TRADING CARD DB)

April 6, 1982: Jim Kaat becomes first major leaguer to pitch in 24 seasons as Cardinals blast Astros, 14-3, on Opening Day

April 9, 1982: Brewers shake off winter blues with Opening Day onslaught

April 5, 1983: Tom Seaver makes his long-awaited return to Mets

April 2, 1984: Angels’ Forsch slows down Red Sox in a hurry on Opening Day

Chris Pittaro

April 8, 1985: Detroit’s Chris Pittaro lives up to manager’s hype on celebratory Opening Day

Rick Sutcliffe (THE TOPPS COMPANY)

April 9, 1985: Cubs’ Rick Sutcliffe, Lee Smith shut down Pirates in opener

Gary Carter (TRADING CARD DB)

April 9, 1985: Gary Carter homers in debut for Mets

Jim Davenport (Trading Card Database)

April 9, 1985: Giants’ Jim Davenport makes managerial debut with Opening Day victory over Padres

April 8, 1986: Gooden’s complete game leads Mets to win on Opening Day

Chili Davis (THE TOPPS COMPANY)

April 6, 1987: Giants rally for Opening Day extra-inning win over Padres

April 7, 1987: Braves’ Mahler continues opener shutout string with 3-hit gem

April 7, 1987: Twins start championship season with extra-innings win over A’s

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