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MLB Opening Day: Top lineup for each team

By Benjamin Chase

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: God Bless America is performed during the Opening Day game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on April 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: God Bless America is performed during the Opening Day game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on April 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /
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MLB Opening Day
CIRCA 1960’s: Infielder Brooks Robinson /

Baltimore Orioles

Catcher: Rick Dempsey 10
First Base: George Sisler 11
Second Base: Brian Roberts 9
Third Base: Brooks Robinson 20
Shortstop: Cal Ripken, Jr. 14 (20)
Left Field: Ken Williams 6 (8)
Center Field: Paul Blair 12
Right Field: Nick Markakis 8
Designated Hitter: Harold Baines 4
Starting Pitcher: Mike Mussina/Jim Palmer 6

10+ Starts: Ripken, Jr. 20, Robinson 20, Mark Belanger 13, Blair 12, Boog Powell 12, Brady Anderson 11, Wally Gerber 11, George Sisler 11, Dempsey 10

Two of the best players in organization history have 20 MLB Opening Day starts each as Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken, Jr. each started two decades worth of Opening Day games. This does also include the St. Louis Browns franchise, which is where the Sisler mention comes into play.

MLB Opening Day
SAN DIEGO, CA – CIRCA 1984: Tony Gwynn /

San Diego Padres

Catcher: Terry Kennedy/Benito Santiago 6
First Base: Steve Garvey/Adrian Gonzalez 5
Second Base: Bip Roberts 3 (5)
Third Base: Ken Caminiti/Chase Headley 4
Shortstop: Gary Templeton 9
Left Field: Gene Richards 5 (6)
Center Field: Steve Finley 4
Right Field: Tony Gwynn 17 (18)
Starting Pitcher: Randy Jones/Jake Peavy/Eric Show 4

10+ Starts: Gwynn 18

While the Padres have not been around a long time, they have seen a few players establish themselves as franchise icons. Interestingly, only one, Tony Gwynn, has been a guy who was able to tally up plenty of Opening Day starts. Closer Trevor Hoffman may have been on plenty of Opening Day rosters, for instance, but he was never starting the game.

Next: Phillies/Pirates

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