A one-time batboy in 1980, Ruben Amaro Jr. wore a Phillies uniform again for the first time at Veterans Stadium on opening day, April 7, 1992.
Full StoryFrom left: Cookie Rojas, Johnny Callison, Richie Allen, manager Gene Mauch…pre-game, Connie Mack Stadium dugout, 1964.
April 7, 1970
Shortstop Larry Bowa makes his ML debut and left-handed pitcher Chris Short becomes the first Phillies pitcher to record three Opening Day shutouts, blanking Chicago, 2-0, in the last home opener at Connie Mack Stadium.
April 7, 1991
Left-handed pitcher Mitch Williams is acquired from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relievers Chuck McElroy and Bob Scanlan.
April 7, 1992
With a pinch-hit appearance, Ruben Amaro Jr. joins his dad, Ruben Sr., as the first father-son tandem to play for the Phillies. Ruben Sr. played for the Phillies from 1960-65.
April 7, 2000
Left-handed pitcher Randy Wolf is the winner and third baseman Scott Rolen homers as the Phillies prevail, 4-1, in the first game at Houston’s Enron Field (now Minute Maid Park).
April 7, 2018
Maikel Franco and Aaron Altherr each hit a grand slam in a 20-1 win over the Miami Marlins; it’s the fifth time in club history two Phillies have hit a slam in the same game.
April 8, 2017
The Phillies score a franchise-record 12 first-inning runs, and Aaron Nola picks up the 17-3 win over the Nationals.
April 8, 2022
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber becomes the third player in franchise history to hit a leadoff home run in his first game with the club, pacing the Phillies to a 9-5 win over Oakland on Opening Day. Bryson Stott goes 2-for-4 in his major league debut and Aaron Nola becomes the third Phillie ever to make five straight Opening Day starts, joining Hall of Famers Robin Roberts (12) and Steve Carlton (10).
April 9, 1913
The Phillies win the first game played at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field, 1-0, over the Dodgers. Right-handed pitcher Tom Seaton is the winner.
April 9, 1963
Former center fielder Richie Ashburn joins the Phillies broadcast team, beginning a career that would last for 35 years.
April 9, 1993
After the Phils start the season with a three-game sweep of the Astros in Houston, 60,985 fans pack the Vet to set a franchise attendance record for a home opener.
April 10, 1971
The Phillies win the first game played at Veterans Stadium, 4-1, over the Montreal Expos. Right-handed pitcher Jim Bunning is the winner, and shortstop Larry Bowa gets the first hit.
April 11, 1907
Following a heavy snowstorm the day before, large drifts of snow rimmed the outer edges of the Polo Grounds field where the New York Giants were hosting the Phillies. With the Phillies leading, 3-0, fans begin rushing the field and throwing snowballs. After home plate umpire Bill Klem is hit by a snowball, he calls a forfeit in favor of the Phillies, the only Opening Day game Philadelphia has ever played that ended due to forfeit.
April 11, 1961
Right-handed pitcher Robin Roberts makes his club-record 12th consecutive Opening Day start, but the Phils fell to the Dodgers in Los Angeles, 6-2.
April 12, 1965
The Phillies win the first game played at the Astrodome, 2-0, over Houston. Left-handed pitcher Chris Short tosses a four-hitter and third baseman Dick Allen homers.
April 12, 1990
Dave Hollins makes his ML debut as a pinch-hitter.
April 12, 2004
Right fielder Bobby Abreu hits the first official home run at Citizens Bank Park, but the Cincinnati Reds spoil the inaugural home opener by handing the Phils a 4-1 loss.
April 13, 1962
The Phillies play their first ever game against Houston, a 3-2 win over the Colt .45s.
April 13, 1983
With two outs and the Phillies trailing, 9-6, in the bottom of the ninth, catcher Bo Diaz hits a grand slam off right-handed pitcher Neil Allen to defeat the Mets, 10-9.
April 13, 2003
With 13 runs in the fourth, the Phillies set a club record for most runs in an inning en route to a 13-1 rout of the Reds in Cincinnati.
April 13, 2009
While preparing for a game in Washington, beloved Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas dies in the press box at Nationals Park. With heavy hearts, the Phillies play that afternoon and win, 9-8, as Brad Lidge records his club-record 44th consecutive regular-season save.
April 13, 2023
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber becomes the fastest player in franchise history to reach 50 home runs, doing so in his 168th regular season game, surpassing Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who took 172 games to hit the milestone.
