MLB Opening Day: Best moments from baseball’s season opener

Get your peanuts and Cracker Jack ready.

Baseball is back, with every MLB team in action throughout a jam-packed Opening Day. Highlights include an NLDS rematch between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves, Shohei Ohtani’s much anticipated Dodgers debut, and the Texas Rangers’ first step in a quest to repeat as champions against the Cubs.

And so much more. These are the best moments from Opening Day.

Let the games begin! 

The first at-bat of Opening Day resulted in Corbin Burnes collecting his first strikeout in a Baltimore Orioles uniform against Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon.

First Opening Day homer!

The first home run of Opening Day belonged to none other than 11-time All-Star Mike Trout, who, in his first at-bat of the season, crushed a slider from Burnes into the Orioles’ bullpen, which also signified the first run of the day.

Angels’ Mike Trout launches first home run of Opening Day

Mullins mashes one!

Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins put the contest out of reach with a three-run homer to center field as Baltimore went on to win the first game of Opening Day 11-3. The victory also marked Burnes’ first as an Oriole. 

Los Angeles Angels vs. Baltimore Orioles Highlights

Reid tosses the first pitch!

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid took the mound at Kauffman Stadium to deliver the first pitch. Apparently, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes missed Reid’s offering, as he posted on X: “Anyone know if coach Reid threw a strike?”

Lewis leaves the yard!

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis, who set a franchise record last season by launching four grand slams, picked up where he left off by leaving the yard in his first at-bat of the season (this time for a solo shot). Minnesota ultimately spoiled Kansas City’s home opener with a 4-1 win. 

Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Highlights

Junior goes big fly!

Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a monster home run for his first of the year, as he cleared the center-field fence by plenty to add another run to Toronto’s lead. Toronto ultimately went on to win its opening game on the road at Tropicana, 8-2. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. BLASTS a 450-foot homer

Sho-time!

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani made himself at home by knocking his first hit at Dodger Stadium as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers — a double that he tried to stretch into a triple before being caught in a pickle as Mookie Betts opted to stay at third.

Mookie moonshot 

Fresh off a dynamic series in Seoul, South Korea, Betts launched his second homer of the season on a towering fly ball that cleared the left-field fence.

Freeman hits his first! 

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman followed Betts’ lead, crushing a hanging breaking ball over the center-field wall. L.A. went on to win 7-1 against St. Louis, as the Dodgers got themselves back in the win column after dropping the final game of the Seoul Series last week. 

Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman go yard

Neymar on the mound? 

International superstar soccer player Neymar tossed the first pitch at the Pirates-Marlins game. 

Hats off to Chisholm!

Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm made his case for the best defensive highlight on Opening Day by making a fully extended diving catch in center (while also losing his hat in the process). 

Double-dipping!

Cincinnati outfielder Nick Martini made his presence known at Great American Ball Park, launching two homers against the Washington Nationals to help power the Reds to an 8-2 win. 

Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds Highlights

Lee lines one! 

Former KBO star Jung Hoo Lee recorded his first knock in a San Francisco Giants uniform by lining a base hit to center field off Padres starter Yu Darvish. After the two teams traded leads, the Pads rallied for a 6-4 victory at home. 

Welcome to New York!

Juan Soto, who was acquired by New York in a blockbuster trade with San Diego this offseason, smacked an RBI single to right for his first hit as a Yankee.

Yankees complete the comeback!

After an Alex Verdugo sacrifice fly brought home Aaron Judge to give the Yankees the lead, Soto sealed the win by throwing out Mauricio Dubón at the plate as the Yankees prevailed 5-4.

Juan Soto’s throw nails Mauricio Dubón at home to seal Yankees win

The CHAMPS are here!

The Texas Rangers unveiled their 2023 World Series Championship banner in a ceremony ahead of their matchup against the Cubs.

It’s outta here!

Adolis Garcia started his season with a bang, launching a 407-footer to left field for a home run.

Adolis García CRUSHES a solo homer as Rangers tie game vs. Cubs

Electric slide

The Oakland Athletics‘ Ryan Noda slid in style to catch this bunt on the first pitch of the game against the Cleveland Guardians.

Bringing the spectacle

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. brought the fireworks with a homerun to left field to get the Diamondbacks rolling early.

Making it look easy

Rafael Devers showcased his power as he kicked off the Red Sox’s season with a deep homerun to go up 2 over the Mariners.

Rafael Devers belts a 2-run homer, Red Sox grab early 2-0 lead over Mariners

Now walk it out!

The Rangers battled out of a tight game, earning the 4-3 victory over the Cubs on Jonah Heim’s walk-off RBI, to thunderous applause.

Jonah Heim’s CLUTCH RBI single seals Rangers’ 4-3 victory over Cubs

Steamroller!

The Diamondbacks were unstoppable in the third inning, notching 14 runs in a single inning to steamroll past the Rockies. The Opening Day feat marks a record for the most runs in a single inning in franchise history!

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