Fansided

Top 25 Opening Day performances of all time

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies fans enjoy festivities outside the ballpark before a game between the Phillies and the San Diego Padres on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies fans enjoy festivities outside the ballpark before a game between the Phillies and the San Diego Padres on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry throws out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry throws out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Gaylord Perry dominates in front of 74,000

The crowd of 74,420 at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium for Opening Day 1973 was treated to an absolute gem by Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, who was no stranger to pitching on the first day of the season. All told, Perry started an Opening Day game for five teams around the big leagues. This one was one of his best.

Perry shut down the Detroit Tigers over nine innings in that game, allowing only four hits and one earned run. He was able to outduel Mickey Lolich of Detroit. Perry would go on to throw an astounding 29 complete games in 1973, the second year in a row he completed that many starts. The Indians, however, suffered through a horrible year, losing 95 games. Perry himself lost 19 games despite a 3.38 ERA.

The crowd who turned out to watch this game also deserves a mention. This is the highest turnout ever for an Opening Day game, and no one will ever top it. The old Indians stadium was a multi-sport bowl, with more seating capacity than MLB stadiums in 2017. There is plenty of colorful history to go along with “The Mistake by the Lake,” and Opening Day 1973 in Cleveland would qualify as one of the top-10 attended baseball games of all time, including the World Series.

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