MLB Opening Day: Top lineup for each team

With MLB Opening Day upon us, we take a look at every team’s most-used Opening Day starter

Thursday is MLB Opening Day across the entire league, and every team will be in action. As a way to celebrate every single team participating in MLB Opening Day, we decided to take a look at every team’s history on Opening Day and find the player who started the most opening days at each position for every major league team.

First, let me give a few explanations of the methodology. This information was taken from Baseball Reference and their information is incredibly valuable. Each list begins in 1908 as that’s the first sure documentation of MLB Opening Day lineups. In the cases where two players had the same amount of games played at a position, the player who played the most overall Opening Day games for their organization got the nod. In some cases, that still left a tie!

When you look at the lists, each team is notated along with the number of Opening Day games that player had played at the position for the team. In parenthesis behind some players is another number, and that is the total number of Opening Day starts at all positions by that player. There will be some players that may have more Opening Day starts for an organization, but did not have the most at any one position. A few examples that stand out along those lines are Stan Musial with the St. Louis Cardinals and Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins, both of whom had more Opening Day starts than some of the other guys on their respective teams’ lists, but they did not have more starts at any single position than other players, so they ended up not making this list.

So page through, find your favorite team, and enjoy these lists, and get ready for MLB Opening Day on Thursday! Take some time to enjoy the rest of the lists as well!

Next: Angels/Astros

Los Angeles Angels

Catcher: Buck Rodgers 7
First Base: Rod Carew/Wally Joyner 6
Second Base: Bobby Grich 8 (9)
Third Base: Doug DeCinces/Troy Glaus 6
Shortstop: Jim Fregosi 9
Left Field: Garret Anderson 9 (13)
Center Field: Mike Trout 5
Right Field: Tim Salmon 11 (12)
Designated Hitter: Don Baylor 6
Starting Pitcher: Jered Weaver 7

10+ Starts: Anderson 13, Salmon 12, Brian Downing 11, Darin Erstad 10

The California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels have been around for less than 60 years, but they actually have surprisingly decent numbers at each position, with current superstar Trout being the lowest number at 5, and many teams with much longer histories have positions with lower amounts. Baylor is a name that comes up with a number of organizations at DH.

Houston Astros

Catcher: Brad Ausmus 9
First Base: Jeff Bagwell 15
Second Base: Craig Biggio 14 (19)
Third Base: Ken Caminiti 8
Shortstop: Roger Metzger 8
Left Field: Jose Cruz 8 (11)
Center Field: Cesar Cedeno 9 (10)
Right Field: Terry Puhl 8 (9)
Starting Pitcher: Roy Oswalt 8

10+ Starts: Biggio 19, Bagwell 15, Cruz 11, Cedeno 10

The “Killer B’s” easily top this list, which is no surprise, as the Astros have only been around since 1962. Impressively, many of the names on this list started many Opening Days together (Ausmus, Bagwell, Biggio, Caminiti, Oswalt). The Astros did move to the American League in 2013, but currently, they have had a different designated hitter every season since coming over to the AL, so that position was left out. Evan Gattis is the only one of those DH’s that is still on the roster and could be the first Astros DH with multiple MLB Opening Day starts.

Next: Athletics/Blue Jays

Oakland Athletics

Catcher: Terry Steinbach 9
First Base: Mark McGwire 9
Second Base: Dick Green 10
Third Base: Eric Chavez 10 (11)
Shortstop: Bert Campaneris 10
Left Field: Rickey Henderson 12
Center Field: Dwayne Murphy 8
Right Field: Reggie Jackson 8
Designated Hitter: Geronimo Berroa/Erubiel Durazo 3
Starting Pitcher: Dave Stewart 6

10+ Starts: Henderson 12, Chavez 11, Jimmy Dykes 11, Pete Suder 11, Campaneris 10, Green 10, Bob Johnson 10

It is impressive that for an organization that has been around since 1901 sees most of the players that are on this list are from the 1980s forward, specifically from the Athletics dynastical run in the late 1980s and early 1990s that produced three straight World Series appearances. The appearance of Berroa/Durazo as the top DH’s is almost comical for an organization that has seen Dave Kingman, Dave Parker, Reggie Jackson, and others start at the position on an opening day.

Toronto Blue Jays

Catcher: Ernie Whitt 9
First Base: Carlos Delgado 7 (9)
Second Base: Damaso Garcia 7
Third Base: Rance Mulliniks 7 (8)
Shortstop: Alex Gonzalez 8
Left Field: George Bell/Shannon Stewart 6 (7)
Center Field: Vernon Wells 9
Right Field: Jesse Barfield/Jose Bautista 8
Designated Hitter: Adam Lind 3 (5)
Starting Pitcher: Roy Halladay 7

10+ Starts: none

Even with an organization that’s been around just over 40 years, it’s surprising that not one position had a player who has started at least 10 Opening Days for the organization, with Carlos Delgado’s, Ernie Whitt’s, Lloyd Moseby’s, and Vernon Wells’ 9 being the most in team history.

Next: Braves/Brewers

Atlanta Braves

Catcher: Del Crandall 10
First Base: Joe Adcock 8
Second Base: Glen Hubbard 8
Third Base: Eddie Mathews 15
Shortstop: Rabbit Maranville 10 (12)
Left Field: Ralph Garr/Ryan Klesko 4 (5)
Center Field: Andruw Jones 10
Right Field: Hank Aaron 16 (20)
Starting Pitcher: Warren Spahn 10

10+ Starts: Aaron 20, Chipper Jones 16, Mathews 15, Dale Murphy 13, Maranville 12, A.Jones 10, Spahn 10

Interestingly, multiple Hall of Fame (or nearly so) players don’t make this list simply because they fall short. Chipper Jones has 16 total MLB Opening Day starts for the Braves, but he only had 13 at third base, with three coming in left field, meaning he was behind Mathews. Dale Murphy started in multiple positions, meaning his 13 starts were spread such that he didn’t lead any position. This season, Freddie Freeman will tie Adcock for the most first base starts on Opening Day. He will turn 29 in September and is under contract through 2021, so he has the chance to be on the top of this list.

Milwaukee Brewers

Catcher: B.J. Surhoff 5 (6)
First Base: Cecil Cooper 9
Second Base: Jim Gantner 11
Third Base: Don Money 7 (9)
Shortstop: Robin Yount 10 (19)
Left Field: Ryan Bruan 8 (10)
Center Field: Carlos Gomez 6
Right Field: Sixto Lezcano 5 (6)
Designated Hitter: Paul Molitor 4 (12)
Starting Pitcher: Ben Sheets 6

10+ Starts: Young 19, Molitor 12, Gantner 11, Braun 10

Interestingly, Molitor was tied for the top DH for multiple organizations (Blue Jays, Twins) as well, but was beaten out because other players he was tied with had MLB Opening Day starts at other positions. With the Brewers, Molitor played all over the field, getting his 12 Opening Day starts at 5 positions (2B, 3B, SS, CF, DH). Yount led the team’s Opening Day starts at both shortstop and center field, but he had more at shortstop, so that is the position he was considered for here.

Next: Cardinals/Cubs

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

Arizona Diamondbacks

Catcher: Miguel Montero 5
First Base: Paul Goldschmidt 6
Second Base: Jay Bell/Aaron Hill 3 (4)
Third Base: Matt Williams 4
Shortstop: Stephen Drew/Tony Womack 4
Left Field: Luis Gonzalez 8
Center Field: Steve Finley/Chris Young 6
Right Field: Danny Bautista/Justin Upton 4
Starting Pitcher: Randy Johnson 6

10+ Starts: none

The Diamondbacks are one of the youngest organizations in baseball, having just begun play in 1998, but if he makes both this season and 2019, Paul Goldschmidt will tie for the team’s lead in Opening Day starts before he is eligible for free agency after the 2019 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Catcher: Mike Scioscia 10
First Base: Gil Hodges 12 (13)
Second Base: Davey Lopes 7
Third Base: Ron Cey 9
Shortstop: Pee Wee Reese 14
Left Field: Zack Wheat 16
Center Field: Willie Davis 11
Right Field: Carl Furillo 10 (12)
Starting Pitcher: Don Drysdale/Clayton Kershaw/Don Sutton 7

10+ Starts: Wheat 16, Reese 14, Duke Snider 14, Hodges 13, Furillo 12, Bill Russell 12, Davis 11, Steve Garvey 10, Jackie Robinson 10, Scioscia 10, Maury Wills 10

Clayton Kershaw will make some Dodgers history when he takes the mound on MLB Opening Day on Thursday. Kershaw has started 7 straight Opening Days for the Dodgers, something only Don Sutton has done in team history, and no pitcher has even started 8 Opening Days in team history. For one of the more storied franchises in the game’s history, to be able to hold the honor of having the organization’s lead in Opening Day starts at just 30 years old.

Next: Giants/Indians

San Francisco Giants

Catcher: Buster Posey/Wes Westrum 7
First Base: Willie McCovey 13 (15)
Second Base: Larry Doyle/Robby Thompson 11
Third Base: Matt Williams 8
Shortstop: Travis Jackson 9 (11)
Left Field: Barry Bonds 14
Center Field: Willie Mays 20
Right Field: Mel Ott 16 (18)
Starting Pitcher: Juan Marichal 10

10+ Starts: Mays 20, Ott 18, McCovey 15, Bonds 14, Doyle 11, Jackson 11, Thompson 11, Marichal 10, Bill Terry 10

Williams is the leader at third base for two organizations in the NL West, the Giants and Diamondbacks. Buster Posey will take over sole possession of the most MLB Opening Day starts at catcher for the Giants this season when he dons the tools of ignorance on Thursday.

Cleveland Indians

Catcher: Jim Hegan 11
First Base: Hal Trosky 8
Second Base: Bobby Avila/Nap Lajoie 6 (7)
Third Base: Ken Keitner 11
Shortstop: Lou Boudreau/Omar Vizquel 11
Left Field: Jack Graney/Charlie Jamieson 8
Center Field: Tris Speaker 11
Right Field: Manny Ramirez 7
Designated Hitter: Travis Hafner 9 (10)
Starting Pitcher: Bob Feller 7

10+ Starts: Earl Averill 11, Boudreau 11, Hegan 11, Keitner 11, Speaker 11, Vizquel 11, Sandy Alomar, Jr. 10, Hafner 10, Joe Sewell 10, Terry Turner 10

The Indians have a long history, and their top Opening Day starts list has an excellent scattering of eras, from players in the 1900s to 1940s to 1990s. Ace Corey Kluber will make his 4th straight start on MLB Opening Day on Thursday, becoming the 3rd pitcher in Indians organization history to do so. Making the 2019 Opening Day start would tie him with Stan Coveleski for the most consecutive Opening Day starts in team history.

Next: Mariners/Marlins

Seattle Mariners

Catcher: Dan Wilson 10
First Base: Alvin Davis 5 (7)
Second Base: Harold Reynolds 6
Third Base: Adrian Beltre/Kyle Seager 5
Shortstop: Alex Rodriguez 5
Left Field: Raul Ibanez 4 (5)
Center Field: Ken Griffey, Jr. 11 (13)
Right Field: Ichiro Suzuki 9 (11)
Designated Hitter Edgar Martinez 10 (15)
Starting Pitcher: Felix Hernandez 10

10+ Starts: Martinez 15, Griffey, Jr. 13, Suzuki 11, Hernandez 10, Wilson 10

Impressively, Edgar Martinez is tied for the most starts at third base and DH in his career, though most consider him a “DH-only”. Really, the notable players in the 40 year history of the Mariners are all represented on this list, with Ichiro beating out Jay Buhner due to starts in center field.

Miami Marlins

Catcher: Charles Johnson 5
First Base: Derrek Lee 4
Second Base: Luis Castillo 8
Third Base: Mike Lowell 6
Shortstop: Alex Gonzalez 7
Left Field: Jeff Conine 5 (6)
Center Field: Marcell Ozuna 3 (4)
Right Field: Giancarlo Stanton 7
Starting Pitcher: Josh Beckett/Josh Johnson 3

10+ Starts: none

A franchise that has been through as much upheaval in its history as the Marlins expectedly have very short tenure in their Opening Day starters. New ownership will certainly hope a number of the players trotting out for MLB Opening Day on Thursday in Marlins apparel will be challenging these numbers eventually, but with only 3 of the 2017 Opening Day starters even on the Marlins roster to open 2018, it will definitely be a new regime of players.

Next: Mets/Nationals

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.

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

Philadelphia Phillies

Catcher: Mike Lieberthal 10
First Base: Ryan Howard 10
Second Base: Chase Utley 8
Third Base: Mike Schmidt 16
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins 14
Left Field: Greg Luzinski 9
Center Field: Richie Ashburn 10 (11)
Right Field: Johnny Callison 9
Starting Pitcher: Steve Carlton 14

10+ Starts: Schmidt 16, Carlton 14, Rollins 14, Larry Bowa 12, Robin Roberts 12, Ashburn 11, Granny Hamner 10, Howard 10, Willie Jones 10, Lieberthal 10

The Phillies have a long and typically miserable history, which may explain why the last 25 years that have brought 3 World Series appearances and a World Series title also see four of the players listed here. Carlton is tied with Walter Johnson for the most Opening Day starts for one organization.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Catcher: Jason Kendall 9
First Base: Gus Suhr 10
Second Base: Bill Mazeroski 13
Third Base: Pie Traynor 13
Shortstop: Arky Vaughan 9
Left Field: Willie Stargell 11 (17)
Center Field: Max Carey 8 (14)
Right Field: Roberto Clemente 16
Starting Pitcher: Bob Friend 7

10+ Starts: Stargell 17, Clemente 16, Carey 14, Traynor 13, Paul Waner 12, Dave Parker 10, Suhr 10, Lloyd Waner 10

Pittsburgh has an extended and storied history from the Waner brothers and Honus Wagner to Bill Mazeroski and his “shot heard ’round the world” to the “We Are Family” crew to the modern team that has taken the team back to the playoffs recently. All these generations end up represented in the Pirates list.

Next: Rangers/Rays

Texas Rangers

Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez 11
First Base: Rafael Palmeiro 8 (10)
Second Base: Ian Kinsler 7
Third Base: Buddy Bell/Hank Blalock 7 (8)
Shortstop: Elvis Andrus 9
Left Field: Frank Howard 8
Center Field: Don Lock/George Wright 4
Right Field: Ruben Sierra 6
Designated Hitter: Larry Parrish 4
Starting Pitcher: Charlie Hough 6

10+ Starts: Rodriguez 11, Michael Young 11, Toby Harrah 10, Palmeiro 10

Over their time in the Lone Star State, the Rangers have seen a rough start to their franchise, followed by a very competitive time that has been pretty constant since the mid-1990s. That makes sense with the players on this list as half of the players on this come from the last 20-25 years. Though he doesn’t lead any position, longtime fan favorite Michael Young is the team’s leader (tied with Pudge) in Opening Day starts.

Tampa Bay Rays

Catcher: Toby Hall 5
First Base: Fred McGriff/Carlos Pena 4
Second Base: Ben Zobrist 3 (6)
Third Base: Evan Longoria 9
Shortstop: Jason Bartlett/Julio Lugo/Kevin Stocker 3
Left Field: Carl Crawford 8
Center Field: Melvin Upton 3 (4)
Right Field: Ben Grieve/Dave Martinez/Steven Souza 3
Designated Hitter: Pat Burrell/Jose Canseco/Cory Dickerson 2
Starting Pitcher: James Shields 4

10+ Starts: none

The Rays have struggled plenty over their organizational history, which makes sense that the team wouldn’t have a guy with 10+ starts in their history. While MLB Opening Day 2018 will be Evan Longoria’s tenth in the major leagues, it will be his first outside of the Rays organization.

Next: Red Sox/Reds

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.

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

Colorado Rockies

Catcher: Chris Iannetta 4
First Base: Todd Helton 16
Second Base: DJ LeMahieu 4
Third Base: Vinny Castilla 6
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki 9
Left Field: Carlos Gonzalez 4 (8)
Center Field: Charlie Blackmon 4
Right Field: Larry Walker 7 (8)
Starting Pitcher: Aaron Cook/Jorge De La Rosa/Mike Hampton/Jason Jennings/Ubaldo Jimenez/Darryl Kile 2

10+ Starts: Helton 16

The Rockies have only been around since 1993, so to have any single player with 16 Opening Day starts is impressive, to say the least. It’s not surprising that he is the only Rockies player to have hit double digits. It is intriguing that the team has seen so many starting pitchers take the Opening Day nod over team history.

Kansas City Royals

Catcher: Salvador Perez/Mike Macfarlane 5
First Base: Mike Sweeney 6 (8)
Second Base: Frank White 15
Third Base: George Brett 12 (18)
Shortstop: Freddie Patek 8
Left Field: Alex Gordon 7 (10)
Center Field: Amos Otis 11
Right Field: Danny Tartabull 5
Designated Hitter: Hal McRae 10 (13)
Starting Pitcher: Kevin Appier 7

10+ Starts: Brett 18, White 15, McRae 13, Otis 12, Gordon 10, Willie Wilson 10

The Kansas City Royals had a big era of competitiveness in the 1980s that brought a World Series title to the team in 1985. The primary pieces of that team feature prominently on this list as players who spent significant time together through the 1980s and into the early 1990s.

Next: Senators/Tigers

Washington Senators

Catcher: Muddy Ruel 7
First Base: Joe Judge 17
Second Base: Buddy Myer 11 (14)
Third Base: Eddie Yost 11
Shortstop: George McBride 10
Left Field: Goose Goslin 8 (9)
Center Field: Clyde Milan 11 (13)
Right Field: Sam Rice 8 (13)
Starting Pitcher: Walter Johnson 14

10+ Starts: Judge 17, Johnson 14, Myer 14, Rice 13, Ossie Bluege 12, Yost 11, Goslin 10, McBride 10, Mickey Vernon 10

The Washington Senators bred two modern organizations, so I took them out from their modern parent organizations (Twins and Rangers) and pulled their top players combined. The players ended up being all from the iteration of the Senators that bled into the Twins organization.

Detroit Tigers

Catcher: Bill Freehan/Oscar Stanage 10
First Base: Norm Cash 12
Second Base: Lou Whitaker 17
Third Base: Aurelio Rodriguez 7
Shortstop: Alan Trammell 16
Left Field: Bobby Veach 10
Center Field: Ty Cobb 10 (14)
Right Field: Al Kaline 19 (21)
Designated Hitter: Victor Martinez 5
Starting Pitcher: Jack Morris 11

10+ Starts: Kaline 21, Whitaker 17, Trammell 16, Cobb 14, Charlie Gehringer 14, Donnie Bush 13, Harry Heilmann 13, Cash 12, Dick McAuliffe 11, Morris 11, Miguel Cabrera 10, Freehan 10, Willie Horton 10, Stanage 10, Veach 10

Interestingly, the organization with the second-most players to have made 10+ MLB Opening Day starts for the organization is the Tigers, led by Al Kaline’s 21 MLB Opening Day starts. Right now there are not many players who are able to challenge these marks due to them being put so far out by players who have been able to start 10+ games on an Opening Day.

Next: Twins/White Sox/Yankees

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.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

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!

Next: Yankees 2018 Preview

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!!