Joe Torre sure knows how to make a first impression. In each of his last 12 seasons as manager, the home fans of his team have gone home with a win on day one.
Year | Score |
1998 |
Yankees 17, A's 13 |
1999 | Yankees 12, Tigers 3 |
2000 | Yankees 8, Rangers 6 |
2001 | Yankees 7, Royals 3 |
2002 | Yankees 4, Devil Rays 0 |
2003 | Yankees 7, Twins 3 |
2004 | Yankees 3, White Sox 1 |
2005 | Yankees 9, Red Sox 2 |
2006 | Yankees 9, Royals 7 |
2007 | Yankees 9, Devil Rays 5 |
2008 | Dodgers 5, Giants 0 |
2009 | Dodgers 11, Giants 1 |
The last time Torre lost a home opener was in 1997, when newly anointed closer Mariano Rivera couldn't hold a 1-0 lead against Oakland, giving up a solo home run to Mark McGwire (one of 58 he would hit that year) in a game the A's won in 12 innings. The winning pitcher on that day in The Bronx was 25-year old Aaron Small, who would make history eight years later with Torre's Yankees as one of only four pitchers in baseball history to go undefeated with 10 or more wins.
Will the Dodgers make it a lucky 13 straight home opening wins for Torre when they take on the Diamondbacks tomorrow?