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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MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 25: Raul Mondesi of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium on August 25, 1999 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 25: Raul Mondesi of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium on August 25, 1999 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images) /

4. Raul Mondesi saves the day

On Opening Day of the 1999 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks needing three runs to tie the game. They were down to their final out when outfielder Raul Mondesi came to the plate. He worked the count to 3-0 and then blasted a game-tying home run.

The game went to extra innings, and Mondesi was the hero in the 11th inning. Gary Sheffield reached on a walk, bringing Mondesi back up to the plate with a chance to be the hero. He did not disappoint. Mondesi walked it off with a home run to left field. He ended Opening Day with a 4-for-5 line with two homers and six RBI. This was one of the most clutch performances on Opening Day of all time, and certainly the best offensive explosion by a Dodgers hitter on Opening Day.

Mondesi was always known for his offensive outbursts with the Dodgers, but they came too inconsistently for the former NL Rookie of the Year. He hit 33 homers in 1999, but the Dodgers went 77-83 and finished over 20 games behind the Diamondbacks. Mondesi was traded to Toronto after the season.

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