MLB Opening Day: Top lineup for each team
Minnesota Twins
Catcher: Joe Mauer 9 (13)
First Base: Kent Hrbek 12
Second Base: Rod Carew 9 (12)
Third Base: Gary Gaetti 9
Shortstop: Roy Smalley 7 (8)
Left Field: Jacque Jones 4 (6)
Center Field: Torii Hunter 9 (10)
Right Field: Tony Oliva 8 (10)
Designated Hitter: Randy Bush/Jason Kubel 3 (4)
Starting Pitcher: Brad Radke 9
10+ Starts: Harmon Killebrew 13, Mauer 13, Carew 12, Hrbek 12, Kirby Puckett 11, Hunter 10, Oliva 10
The Minnesota Twins have had long-standing stars that have influenced the organization for a decade. This season, Joe Mauer will pass Killebrew as the Twin with the most Opening Day starts when he trots out to first base on MLB Opening Day Thursday. While Killebrew did not lead any one position, he made 16 Opening Day starts in his career among the Senators, Twins, and Royals.
Chicago White Sox
Catcher: Ray Schalk 15
First Base: Paul Konerko 13 (15)
Second Base: Nellie Fox 13
Third Base: Willie Kamm 9
Shortstop: Luke Appling 14 (15)
Left Field: Bibb Falk/Minnie Minoso 7
Center Field: Lance Johnson 7
Right Field: Harold Baines 8 (11)
Designated Hitter: Frank Thomas 5 (14)
Starting Pitcher: Mark Buehrle 9
10+ Starts: Appling 15, Konerko 15, Schalk 15, Thomas 14, Fox 13, Ozzie Guillen 13, Eddie Collins 12, Baines 11, Luis Aparicio 10, Carlton Fisk 10, Sherm Lollar 10
The White Sox had multiple players make 10 or more MLB Opening Day starts in their history, and they are scattered from players near the early 1900s all the way to players who just retired recently, like Konerko. Baines ends up appearing on multiple teams’ list as a DH, making the Orioles as the top player as well, so he’s been mentioned twice here.
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New York Yankees
Catcher: Bill Dickey 15
First Base: Lou Gehrig 14
Second Base: Willie Randolph 13
Third Base: Graig Nettles 11
Shortstop: Derek Jeter 17
Left Field: Roy White 9
Center Field: Mickey Mantle 13 (18)
Right Field: Hank Bauer 8 (10)
Designated Hitter: Don Baylor/Nick Johnson/Ruben Sierra 3
Starting Pitcher: Whitey Ford/Ron Guidry/Mel Stottlemyre 7
10+ starts: Mantle 18, Jeter 17, Dickey 15, Gehrig 14, Randolph 13, Babe Ruth 13, Bernie Williams 13, Jorge Posada 12, Yogi Berra 11, Nettles 11, Wally Pipp 11, Phil Rizzuto 11, Bauer 10, Earle Combs 10, Elston Howard 10, Tony Lazzeri 10, Don Mattingly 10, Thurman Munson 10, Alex Rodriguez 10
The Yankees have the most storied tradition in baseball, and it makes sense that they would also have the most players who have made 10+ MLB Opening Day starts for the organization. It is surprising that with the excellent pitchers that have donned the pinstripes, none has made more than 7 Opening Day starts!
That’s the players who have started the most opening days for each team in baseball. Any surprises? Players you were expecting to see but didn’t? Comment below!!