There was no shortage of MLB highlights during the first week of the 2024 season. We saw home runs, shutouts, extra innings, game-winning hits, rain-outs, and a boycott. Opening Week truly had it all.
MLB Started Early
While the other 28 teams in MLB were wrapping up Spring Training 2024, we saw the regular season start overseas on March 20. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres kicked off the schedule with a game set in Seoul, South Korea. Each team won a game and came back to the United States with a 1-1 record.
Baltimore Orioles Start Hot
The Baltimore Orioles were the first team to take the field in North America this season as they faced the Los Angeles Orioles on Thursday. The Orioles won their Opening Day battle, 11-3. Cedric Mullins hit the first North American home run of the 2024 season while Corbin Burnes gave up only one run and one hit over six innings, striking out 11.
"I'm Mike Arougheti, one of the new owners of the O's… We're buying everybody a beer!" 🍻
A+ introduction 👏
(via @Orioles)pic.twitter.com/CiXUG6c8L7
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 28, 2024
New York Yankees Sweep
The New York Yankees swep the Houston Astros. Juan Soto showed that he will enjoy playing with the Yankees. He had nine hits in 17 at-bats and played a solid left field. We also saw him hit a go-ahead single off Josh Hader in the ninth inning as the team rallied to a 4-3 victory. The Yankees left Houston with their first Opening Series sweep since 2003.
How About Nick Martini?
Part of baseball’s greatness is that you never know who will achieve stardom on any given day. The Cincinnati Reds’ Nick Martini is a journeyman, now on his sixth team. He made the Opening Day roster and, although he previously had just 10 career home runs, hit two home runs and plated five teammates in his first two at-bats.
MLB Opening Day Streak
Tyler O’Neill made history in his first game with the Boston Red Sox. The outfielder homered on his fifth Opening Day in a row. His blast broke a four-way tie for the longest such streak of all time and left him in sole possession of the longest streak.
5 straight years of Tyler O’Neill going deep on Opening Day.
Todd Hundley, Gary Carter, and Yogi Berra all were tied with O’Neill for the record at 4.
Go put that ball in the Hall of Fame.pic.twitter.com/kz2ycccZjm
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) March 29, 2024
Thrown out at the Plate
The Miami Marlins‘ Josh Bell, not known for his defense, threw out Pittsburgh Pirates baserunners at home plate in both the 10th and 11th innings. However, the Pirates finally scored a run in the 12th, winning by a score of 6-5. Jose Hernandez, filling in for the injured David Bednar, picked up his first career save.
Arizona Diamondbacks Pick Up Where They Left Off
The Arizona Diamondbacks, 2023 World Series runners-up, had a record-breaking 14-run inning against the Colorado Rockies. The bottom of the third inning lasted 44 minutes as the team sent 18 batters to the plate. It was the most runs in an Opening Day game since 1900. Every Diamondbacks hitter got to bat twice in the inning.
The Diamondbacks’ 13 hits in the inning also set a franchise record. Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Christian Walker, and Gabriel Moreno all recorded two hits in the inning.
RELATED: Gabriel Moreno Making Big Impact With Diamondbacks
World Series Champs
The World Series champion Texas Rangers raised their banner. Outside of a long-suffering season ticket holder’s ceremonial first pitch, the reveal of the 2023 World Series championship banner highlighted the pregame festivities. Their night of celebration was capped off with a bases-loaded, walk-off RBI single from Jonah Heim in the 10th inning to beat the Cubs 4-3.
MLB Rainouts
All 30 teams were scheduled to start their season last Thursday, but rain postponed games scheduled between the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. These teams’ openers were postponed until Friday as they took advantage of a strategically placed “off day.”
Boycott Opening Day?
The Oakland Athletics were one of two teams shut out on Opening Day, joining the Chicago White Sox in that regard. The A’s, who hosted Cleveland Guardians, had crowds of less than 14,000 people on Opening Day as fans staged a boycott aimed at owner John Fisher, who is attempting to relocate the franchise to Las Vegas, Nev. The next day, the team announced a crowd of 3,837. On Saturday, only 5,425 fans showed up. They lost their first three games but avoided being swept with a 4-3 win over the Guardians on Sunday. Just over 5,000 fans were in attendance to watch the A’s secure their first win of the year.
I had mixed feelings while covering the @Athletics #OpeningDay #boycott block party yesterday. I’ve covered the A’s for 29 years. And last night could be the last opening day I cover if the A’s move to Las Vegas. Enjoy these moments of diehard fans #rootedinOakland pic.twitter.com/MTkpuSq8xJ
— Ray Chavez (@rayinaction) March 29, 2024
Yes, Injuries Still Exist in MLB
Opening Day saw unfortunate injuries. Nick Senzel fractured his thumb on a ground ball during pregame warmups. Royce Lewis injured his quad while running the base paths, requiring him to exit the game. Justin Steele left with a hamstring injury after fielding a bunt.
Later On, In 2024
Along with the Seoul Series, MLB will leave North America for two more series this season as they look to grow their worldwide popularity. Mexico City hosts the Astros and Rockies April 27-28. London will host a series between the Mets and Phillies June 8-9.
Fans can also see the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants play a special regular-season game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., on June 20. Rickwood Field is the former home of the Negro Leagues’ Birmingham Black Barons.
Outlook for MLB in 2024
First-week MLB highlights were abundant. There was plenty of excitement, fantastic plays, long home runs, and dynamic pitching performances. There were even record-setting performances. If the action continues like this, fans and everyone involved in baseball are in for an exciting season.
What's your hottest MLB take after opening weekend?
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) April 1, 2024
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