![A man waving a cap in a car](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Bob_Feller.jpg/220px-Bob_Feller.jpg)
The Cleveland Guardians are a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise based in Cleveland, Ohio; until 2021, they were known as the Cleveland Indians. They play in the American League Central division. The first game of the new baseball season is played on Opening Day, and being named the starter that day is an honor, which is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,[1] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[2] Since joining the league in 1901, the Indians have used 58 different Opening Day starting pitchers which includes the Opening Day starting pitchers from the Bluebirds and the Naps. They have a record of 58 wins and 54 losses in their Opening Day games.[3][4]
The Indians have played in three different home ball parks, League Park from 1901 through 1946, Cleveland Stadium from 1932 to 1993, and Progressive Field since 1994. From 1934 through 1946 some games were played at League Park and some at Cleveland Stadium. They had a record of 11 wins and 4 losses in Opening Day games at League Park, 9 wins and 13 losses at Cleveland Stadium and 2 wins and 4 losses at Progressive Field, for a total home record in Opening Day games of 22 wins and 21 losses.[3] Their record in Opening Day away games is 35 wins and 35 losses.[3][5][6]
Bob Feller has the most Opening Day starts for the Indians, with seven. Stan Coveleski had six Opening Day starts for the Indians, Bob Lemon, CC Sabathia and Corey Kluber each had five Opening Day starts, and Addie Joss, Willie Mitchell, Gaylord Perry and Charles Nagy each had four.[3] Several Baseball Hall of Famers have made Opening Day starts for the Indians, including Feller, Coveleski, Lemon, Joss, Gaylord Perry, Dennis Eckersley and Early Wynn.[7] Brothers Jim Perry and Gaylord Perry each made Opening Day starts for the Indians.[3][8][9] Jim Perry started on Opening Day in 1961 and Gaylord Perry made Opening Day starts in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.[3]
The Indians have played in the World Series six times. They won in 1920 and 1948, and lost in 1954, 1995, 1997, and 2016.[10] Coveleski was the Opening Day starting pitcher in 1920, Feller in 1948, Wynn in 1954, Dennis Martínez in 1995, Nagy in 1997, and Corey Kluber in 2016. The Indians are five and one in Opening Day games in those seasons, with the only loss coming in 2016.[3] The Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays currently hold the record for the longest Opening Day game in Major League history. They set that record on Opening Day 2012, when the game lasted 16 innings. This broke the previous record of 15 innings between the Indians and the Detroit Tigers in 1960.[11]
Key
[edit]![A baseball scoreboard with a skyline in the background](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/Progressive_Field%2C_June_2019_%285%29.jpg/250px-Progressive_Field%2C_June_2019_%285%29.jpg)
W | Win |
---|---|
L | Loss |
T | Tie game |
ND (W) | No decision by starting pitcher; Cleveland won game |
ND (L) | No decision by starting pitcher; Cleveland lost game |
(W) | Cleveland won game; no information on starting pitcher's decision |
(L) | Cleveland lost game; no information on starting pitcher's decision |
Final score | Game score with Cleveland runs listed first |
Location | Stadium in italics with ‡ for home game |
(No.) | Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with Cleveland |
* | Advanced to the post-season |
** | American League champions |
† | World Series champions |
Pitchers
[edit]![A man on a pitcher's mound](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Addie_Joss_Baseball.jpg/220px-Addie_Joss_Baseball.jpg)
![A picture of a man](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/WillieMitchellLOC.jpg/220px-WillieMitchellLOC.jpg)
![A man on a pitcher's mound](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Stan_Coveleski.jpg/220px-Stan_Coveleski.jpg)
![A man in a pitching motion](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Sabathia1.jpg/220px-Sabathia1.jpg)
![A man in a pitching motion](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Cliff_Lee_Follows_Through.jpg/220px-Cliff_Lee_Follows_Through.jpg)
![Justin Masterson medium shot](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Justin_Masterson_Cleveland.jpg/220px-Justin_Masterson_Cleveland.jpg)
References
[edit]General
- "Cleveland Guardians Opening Day Starters and Results". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- "Cleveland Guardians History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
Specific
- ^ Bastian, Jordan (2010-03-22). "Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
- ^ Dilbeck, Steve (February 24, 2014). "Dodgers may not start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Cleveland Indians Opening Day Starters and Results". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians Opening Day history". Baseball Almanac. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 2009". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2013-07-20. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 2010". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians Hall of Famers". Cleveland Indians. Archived from the original on 2012-09-30. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
- ^ "Gaylord Perry". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-12. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Jim Perry". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-09. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ a b Withers, Tom (2012-04-05). "Opening Day 2012". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
- ^ "Opening Day 1901". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1902". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1903". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1904". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1905". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1906". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1907". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1908". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1909". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1910". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1911". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1912". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1913". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1914". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1915". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1916". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1917". Retrosheet. Archived from the original on 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1918". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1919". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1920". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1921". Retrosheet. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1922". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1923". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1924". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1925". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1926". Retrosheet. Archived from the original on 2016-01-27. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1927". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1928". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Opening Day 1929". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1930". Retrosheet. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1931". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1932". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1933". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1934". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1935". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1936". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1937". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1938". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1939". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1940". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1941". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1942". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1943". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1944". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1945". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1946". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1947". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1948". Retrosheet. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1949". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1950". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1951". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1952". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1953". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1954". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1955". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1956". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1957". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1958". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1959". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1960". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1961". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-26. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1962". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1963". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1964". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1965". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1966". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1967". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1968". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1969". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-09-26. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1970". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1971". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-14. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1972". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1973". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1974". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-09. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1975". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-11. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1976". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-22. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1977". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1978". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1979". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1980". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1981". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1982". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1983". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1984". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1985". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1986". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1987". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-07. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1988". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1989". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1990". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1991". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1992". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1993". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1994". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1995". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-02. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1996". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1997". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1998". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 1999". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2000". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-27. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2001". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-08-19. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2002". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2003". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-09. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2004". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2005". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2006". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2007". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-02. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2011". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ "April 2, 2013". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on 2013-04-20. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
- ^ "March 31, 2014". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on 2014-06-08. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
- ^ "Opening Day 2015". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ "Opening Day 2016". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ "Opening Day 2017". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-03. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
- ^ "Opening Day 2018". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
- ^ "Opening Day 2019". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
- ^ "Opening Day 2020". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-10. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers Box Score, April 1, 2021". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Cleveland Guardians at Kansas City Royals Box Score, April 7, 2022". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Cleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners Box Score, March 30, 2023". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Cleveland Guardians at Oakland Athletics Box Score, March 28, 2024". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.