Top 25 Opening Day performances of all time

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Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pete Rose is honored prior to the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Charlie Hustle lives for Opening Day

Of all the hitters in MLB history, no one got up for Opening Day more than Pete Rose. Not that Charlie Hustle needed any extra incentive to play hard in any game, but the first one of the year always seemed to bring out something special from the all-time hit king. Rose is also the all-time leader in hits on Opening Day with 31.

One of Rose’s most memorable Opening Days came in 1974 against the Atlanta Braves. He went 3-for-5 that day with a walk, three runs, and two doubles as the Cincinnati Reds prevailed 7-6 in 11 innings. Rose’s fingerprints were all over the game.

With the Braves leading by four in the eighth inning, Rose sparked a three-run rally with a leadoff walk. In the 11th inning, with the Reds still trailing by a run, Rose knocked in the tying run with a double. Standing on second base with the game tied, Charlie Hustle then turned in one of the ultimate hustle plays of his career. Buzz Capra unleashed a wild pitch, and Rose came barrelling around all the way from second base to score the winning run in epic fashion.

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