Phillies, Braves reignite longstanding Opening Day history
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The Braves and the Phillies open the season, again.
The two National League East rivals are starting the season for the 33rd time dating back to 1888. The series is tied at 16, with one tie (in 1924 due to darkness as there were no lights). They’ve opened in Boston, Atlanta and Philadelphia, but never in Milwaukee, home of the Braves from 1953 through 1965.
Their first Opening Day meeting was April 20, 1888, a Phillies 4-3 win in Philadelphia Park (later, Baker Bowl) in front of an estimated 1,200 fans. The most recent was a 3-2 Phillies win, April 1, 2021, in 10 innings at Citizens Bank Park. It is one of four games in the series that have gone extra innings.
The very first time Boston Beaneaters (a predecessor to the Braves) and Philadelphia met was May 4, the fourth game of the 1883 season. Boston won, 8-3. The Phillies began their inaugural season losing the first eight games, a sad streak that’s never been matched in franchise history. Thank goodness.
The 2024 opener will be the second time that the Phillies begin a season on March 28, earliest ever. The other was 2019, also at home, also against Atlanta, a 10-4 win.
The wildest season opener took place on April 19, 1900, in Boston. The Phillies won, 19-17, in 10 innings. The Beaneaters sent the game into extra innings by scoring nine runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Inquirer reported, “Thousands, grown tired of the slaughter of their pets, had left the grounds.” Attendance in the box score, 10,000. Time of game, an amazing 2 hours, 10 minutes.
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Opener Nuggets
Aaron Nola has started the last three openers against Atlanta, 2018, 2019, 2021; 2-1 record. Going into this season he’s started the last six openers. Most Opening Day starts for a Phillies pitcher: Steve Carlton, 14; Robin Roberts, 12; Chris Short and Nola, 6. Nola’s six are the longest streak since shortstop Jimmy Rollins’ 14 straight years (2001-14).
In 20 years of Citizens Bank Park history, the Phillies are 5-6, winning the last two (2021-2022).
Designated Hitters
Domonic Brown (2014), Jay Bruce (2020), Nick Castellanos (2022) and Kyle Schwarber (2023). Brown has the only hit in collective at-bats.
Most Opening Day Starts (Since 1901)
C Mike Lieberthal (10)
1B Ryan Howard (10)
2B Chase Utley (8)
SS Jimmy Rollins (14)
3B Mike Schmidt (16)
LF Greg Luzinski (9)
CF Richie Ashburn (10)
RF Johnny Callison (9)
P Steve Carlton (14)
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Club Records
Most Home Runs -- 5, Mike Schmidt; 3, Scott Rolen & Jimmy Rollins
Most Starts -- 14, Steve Carlton
Most Consecutive Starts -- 12, Robin Roberts (1950-61)
Most Wins -- 5, Robin Roberts
Most Losses -- 9, Steve Carlton
Most Shutouts -- 3, Chris Short
Most Home Runs in a single game, 2
LF Sherry Magee -- April 14, 1914, 10-1 win vs. New York Giants at Baker Bowl (6 RBIs)
LF Lefty O’Doul -- April 18, 1929, 11-9 loss vs. New York Giants at Baker Bowl (4 RBIs)
RF Chuck Klein -- April 14, 1931, 9-5 loss vs. New York Giants at Baker Bowl (3 RBIs)
SS Don Money -- April 8, 1969, 7-6 loss vs. Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, 11 inning (5 RBIs)
Most RBIs in a single game, 6
LF Sherry Magee -- April 14, 1914 . . . 10-1 win vs. New York Giants at Baker Bowl (RBI single, 2 home runs)
3B Placido Polanco -- April 5, 2010, 11-1 win vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. (sacrifice fly, RBI single, grand slam)