St. Louis Cardinals
Catcher: Yadier Molina 13
First Base: Jim Bottomley 10
Second Base: Julian Javier 11
Third Base: Ken Boyer 11
Shortstop: Ozzie Smith 13
Left Field: Lou Brock 14 (15)
Center Field: Terry Moore 9
Right Field: Enos Slaughter 10 (13)
Starting Pitcher: Bob Gibson 10
10+ Starts: Stan Musial 21, Brock 15, Molina 13, Slaughter 13, Smith 13, Boyer 11, Javier 11, Albert Pujols 11, Red Schoendienst 11, Bottomley 10, Frankie Frisch 10, Gibson 10, Ted Simmons 10
I mentioned it before, but Stan Musial was not a top player at any position, but he had 21 overall opening day starts among 1B, LF, and RF. Impressively, center field is the only position with less than 10 starts from any single player. Yadi Molina this season will tie Lou Brock for the most Opening Day starts at one position in team history.
Chicago Cubs
Catcher: Gabby Hartnett 12
First Base: Mark Grace/Charlie Grimm 12
Second Base: Ryne Sandberg 13 (14)
Third Base: Ron Santo 13
Shortstop: Shawon Dunston 11
Left Field: Billy Williams 10 (14)
Center Field: Andy Pafko 7 (8)
Right Field: Sammy Sosa 12 (13)
Starting Pitcher: Fergie Jenkins 7
10+ Starts: Ernie Banks 17, Sandberg 14, Williams 14, Santo 13, Sosa 13, Grace 12, Grimm 12, Hartnett 12, Dunston 11, Phil Cavarretta 10, Billy Herman 10, Don Kessinger 10
The long history of the Cubs has featured plenty of tragic ends to seasons that led to the long title drought that was ended in 2016. Along the way, Cubs fans have been able to hold on tight to their biggest heroes, as the best of the team’s history stayed with the team for years.
Next: Diamondbacks/Dodgers