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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 25
Next
Jul 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; General view of at Safeco Field during the fifth inning of a game between the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. Houston defeated Seattle, 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; General view of at Safeco Field during the fifth inning of a game between the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. Houston defeated Seattle, 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Jim Presley’s walk-off grand slam

Jim Presley enjoyed a nice eight-year run in the big leagues in the 1980s and early 1990s. He hit 135 home runs and made an All-Star team in 1986. Presley nearly hit 30 home runs in his best seasons, but struck out too often to carve out a longer career. One of his finest days came on Opening Day of the 1986 season.

Presley turned in an all-time great performance that day. He also did all of his damage with the game on the line. His Seattle Mariners trailed the California Angels by two runs in the ninth, and the third baseman tied the game with his first home run of the season. In the tenth, with the game still knotted at four, the Mariners loaded the bases, setting the stage for Presley. He then delivered a walk-off grand slam against Angels relief pitcher Ken Forsch.

Presley became the first Seattle hitter ever to have two home runs on Opening Day. Ken Griffey Jr. and Richie Sexson have since joined him in the club. Presley remains one of only two hitters to hit a walk-off grand salami on Opening Day. After retiring from baseball, the slugger went on to become a respected hitting coach. His most recent post was with the Baltimore Orioles, one of the best power-hitting teams in baseball.

Home/MLB