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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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 13: Tony Batista of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the game against the Chicago White Sox on April 13, 2002 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 13: Tony Batista of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the game against the Chicago White Sox on April 13, 2002 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images) /

23. Tony Batista hits a grand slam off Roger Clemens

There were so many great things to remember about former MLB third baseman Tony Batista. His wide-open batting stance was the stuff of nightmares for hitting coaches trying to teach their young players the proper techniques. Batista stood at the plate with nearly his entire torso facing the mound before closing down and swinging for the fences. He also had one of the best sets of eyebrows in MLB history, and always seemed to be playing with his back pockets hanging out of his pants. Truly an iconic figure.

Batista was a big hero on Opening Day for the Baltimore Orioles in 2002, during some of their darkest days. That year, the O’s drew the juggernaut New York Yankees during the height of their dynastic years. Scott Erickson started against Roger Clemens, but it was Batista who would do the most damage, hitting a grand slam to push the Orioles to a 10-3 win before they went on to lose 95 games.

Batista was no stranger to Opening Day heroics in his career. He hit five homers on Opening Day for his career, including a walk-off during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays. Opening Day has a strange way of bringing out the best in certain players.

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