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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Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves former outfielder Hank Aaron following a 1-0 victory against the Detroit Tigers in the final game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves former outfielder Hank Aaron following a 1-0 victory against the Detroit Tigers in the final game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth

Hank Aaron entered the 1974 season with 713 home runs, needing just one to tie the legendary Babe Ruth. He wasted no time tying the Babe, homering on Opening Day against the Cincinnati Reds. Aaron hit an absolute no-doubter to left field for the historic home run.

It would take Aaron only a few more games to hit number 715 and pass Ruth as the all-time leader in home runs. He went on to retire with 755, a number surpassed by only Barry Bonds and Victor Conte. Aaron was all class throughout his entire career, and he is still a great ambassador for baseball.

While 715 gets more play as a historic moment, his tying home run on Opening Day is just as special. For years, Aaron’s quick wrists sent balls flying out of County Stadium, and he was able to step up for the big crowd on Opening Day. Lesser players would have allowed the pressure of chasing Ruth to get to them, but Aaron took care of business on the first day of the season. He was a special player in every sense of the word, and deserves to be remembered among the finest moments of Opening Day.

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