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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Feb 22, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Reds gear is laid on the grass at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex. Mandatory credit: Sam Green/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK
Feb 22, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Reds gear is laid on the grass at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex. Mandatory credit: Sam Green/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK /

10. Johnny Vander Meer goes 11 strong

Only two pitchers have ever thrown 11 or more shutout innings on Opening Day — Hall of Famer Walter Johnson and Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Vander Meer. Starting the 1943 season, Vander Meer and the Reds took on the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds starter, who became the only pitcher in MLB history to throw back-to-back no-hitters two years prior, went the distance in extra innings.

The Cardinals were the defending World Series champions, and were led by Hall of Famer Stan Musial. Vander Meer dominated them the entire game, limited the powerful offense to only two hits. He kept them off balance, and got through the game with only three strikeouts. It’s uncommon today to see a pitcher throw a complete game on Opening Day, let alone make it through 11 frames.

Vander Meer had an up-and-down career, ultimately finishing with a losing record in 13 years in the big leagues. Control was always one of his biggest issues, and he led the league in walks in 1943. He went 119-121 with a 3.44 ERA, those two no-hitters, and four trips to the All-Star Game. When he was at his best, there was no one in baseball better than Johnny Vander Meer.

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