Who has longest Opening Day streak at each position?

Here is a look at the player who has the longest active streak of Opening Day starts at each position, through 2024.

All-time data is since 1901, the first season for which it is available.

Catcher: Willson Contreras (Cardinals, Cubs), and Martín Maldonado (White Sox, Astros, Royals, Angels)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: 8

When Yadier Molina retired before the 2023 season, his streak of 18 consecutive Opening Day starts at catcher for the Cardinals came to an end. Coincidentally, the man who replaced him behind the plate in St. Louis is now an active co-leader. Contreras got six straight Opening Day starts at catcher for the Cubs before jumping to their NL Central rival. Maldonado signed with the White Sox this past offseason, setting him up to start for his fourth team during that streak.

Longest all-time streak: 20 -- Ivan Rodriguez (1992-2011)

First base: Freddie Freeman (Dodgers, Braves)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: 14

Earning his first Opening Day start in 2011, Freeman became the face of the Braves over the next decade. He picked up an NL MVP Award, a World Series trophy and five All-Star selections along the way. Now in his third year with the Dodgers, Freeman extended his streak when his club opened the 2024 season against the Padres in the Seoul Series.

Longest all-time streak: 19 -- Joe Judge (1916-34)

Second base: Ozzie Albies (Braves)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: Seven

Only a fractured right thumb sustained during the 2023 World Baseball Classic broke a Jose Altuve streak that could have increased to 13 seasons in 2024. Jonathan Schoop took over as the leader last year (10 seasons) but is no longer with a Major League club. Albies, who made his first Opening Day start at age 21 in 2018, logged his seventh straight for the Braves at second base in 2024.

Longest all-time streak: 20 -- Joe Morgan (1965-84)

Third base: Nolan Arenado (Cardinals, Rockies)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: 11

Josh Donaldson made 11 straight Opening Day starts at the hot corner, for five different teams, before wrapping up his career after the 2023 season. Arenado now takes over as the active leader as he makes his fourth straight start since being traded from Colorado to St. Louis before 2021. Since debuting early in the 2013 season, Arenado has never missed an Opening Day.

Longest all-time streak: 20 -- Brooks Robinson (1957-76)

Shortstop: Corey Seager (Rangers, Dodgers)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: Nine

The 2024 season is the first since 2011 in which someone other than Brandon Crawford is the Giants' Opening Day shortstop. With Crawford now on the Cardinals' bench and Xander Bogaerts moving to second base in San Diego, that leaves Seager as the active leader. Surgery for a sports hernia in late January put Seager's ninth straight season-opening start at risk, but he recovered in time to keep it going.

Longest all-time streak: 18 -- Luis Aparicio (1956-73)

Left field: Andrew Benintendi (White Sox, Royals, Red Sox)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: Eight

Left field tends to be a more transient position, so there aren't many long streaks here. Benintendi and Marcell Ozuna both had seven straight starts in left field through 2023, but Ozuna served as Atlanta's DH in its 202 season opener.

Longest all-time streak: 17 -- Barry Bonds (1988-2004), Luis Gonzalez (1991-2007)

Center field: Mike Trout (Angels)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: 12

Trout has missed a lot of time due to injuries in recent years, but he’s started in center field on Opening Day in every year dating back to 2013. Trout has now passed Tim Salmon for the most consecutive Opening Day starts at one position in Angels history. Salmon logged 11 straight Opening Day starts in right field from 1993-2003 before getting the start at DH in the Halos’ 2004 season opener.

Longest all-time streak: 20 -- Willie Mays (1954-73)

Right field: Max Kepler (Twins)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: Eight

Mookie Betts' streak of eight straight starts in right field ended with his move to shortstop this year, opening the door for Kepler to claim the top spot. Kepler's streak is the longest by a Twins right fielder since Hall of Famer Tony Oliva notched eight in a row from 1964-71.

Longest all-time streak: 15 -- Roberto Clemente (1958-72)

Starting pitcher: Shane Bieber (Guardians)
Consecutive Opening Day starts: Five

Zack Wheeler ended teammate Aaron Nola's six-season streak for the Phillies, while injuries ended four-year runs for Gerrit Cole and Sandy Alcantara. Bieber's five consecutive season-opening starts come right after an identical streak from Corey Kluber, tying Stan Coveleski (1917-21) for the longest by a Cleveland pitcher.

Longest all-time streak: 14 -- Jack Morris (1980-93)