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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
BOSTON, MA – JULY 21: Boston Red Sox player Jim Rice, center, is congratulated by teammates Dwight Evans and Wade Boggs after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning during a game against the California Angels at Fenway Park in Boston on Jul. 21, 1987. (Photo by Bill Brett/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox

Catcher: Jason Varitek 10
First Base: George Scott 7 (9)
Second Base: Bobby Doerr 13
Third Base: Wade Boggs 10
Shortstop: Everett Scott 8
Left Field: Carl Yastrzemski 15 (22)
Center Field: Dom DiMaggio 8 (10)
Right Field: Dwight Evans 14 (17)
Designated Hitter: David Ortiz 11 (12)
Starting Pitcher: Roger Clemens 8

10+ Starts: Yastrzemski 22, Evans 17, Jim Rice 14, Doerr 13, Ted Williams 13, Ortiz 12, Rico Petrocelli 12, Harry Hooper 11, Dustin Pedroia 11, Boggs 10, DiMaggio 10, Varitek 10

The storied history of the Boston Red Sox not surprisingly has a whole host of players who have made 10+ Opening Day starts. The team has a wealth of outfielders who have made 10+ starts, but only three can show up on the starting roster, so many don’t get recognized there, including arguably the most legendary Red Sox player ever, Ted Williams.

MLB Opening Day
CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 14: Former Cincinnati Reds player Pete Rose, Barry Larkin, Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench walk on the field prior to the 86th MLB All-Star Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 14, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Reds

Catcher: Johnny Bench 12
First Base: Ted Kluszewski/Joey Votto 9
Second Base: Brandon Phillips 10
Third Base: Chris Sabo 7
Shortstop: Barry Larkin 17
Left Field: Adam Dunn 7
Center Field: Vada Pinson 8 (11)
Right Field: Jay Bruce 8
Starting Pitcher: Mario Soto 6

10+ Starts: Larkin 17, Dave Concepcion 16, Bench 14, Pinson 11, Tony Perez 10, Phillips 10, Frank Robinson 10

It is very interesting that the team who has the most legendary MLB Opening Day history is led by a pair of shortstops who anchored the team for a combined 33 seasons. The Reds haven’t seen a lot of stability in other positions, however, which is interesting with the historical success the organization has had.

Next: Rockies/Royals

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