Over the years several players could be counted on to be in the lineup on opening day. In my last post, I chronicled the foursome of Garvey, Lopes, Cey and Russell. The infield that was together longer than any other foursome in MLB history. In this post, we will look at the players who were in the lineup the most on opening day.
Catcher
For 10 seasons, the Dodgers opening day catcher was Mike Scioscia. His first opening day start came in 1981. He was sharing catching duties at the time with Steve Yeager. Prior to Scioscia getting the 81 start, Yeager himself had started for six consecutive years. Yeager would return as the starter in 82-83. Scioscia would then start for the next 9 seasons until he was replaced by Mike Piazza in 1993. Roseboro 9, and Campanella 9, had the next longest streaks.
1st Base
In 1949, Gil Hodges started the season at 1st base. He would continue to do that until 1960. Hodges, along with Duke Snider, would be the only two players in the majors to hit 300 homers in the 50’s. Hodges is also rare because in 1948, he was the starting catcher. Hodges had many great moments as a Dodger, including driving in both runs in game 7 of the 55 series and posting the last out when Reese threw out the Yankees last hitter. He also scored the game winning run in the second game of the NL playoff in 1959. His 12 consecutive starts are the third longest in Dodger history. Karros with 9 is second, and Garvey with 8 is third.
2nd Base
Davey Lopes with 7 opening day starts is the leader. He might have had 8, but in 1976, Ted Sizemore, who had come back to the team via a trade, got the nod. Lopes was traded after the 81-championship year to make way for Steve Sax. Jim Gilliam and Sax both had 6 opening day starts.
3rd Base
No surprise here since the Dodgers have always had a long line of third basemen, that the leader is Ron Cey with 9 starts at third. Cey’s steadiness with the bat and the glove made him a fixture at a position that LA had trouble filling consistently for years. Cey’s streak was consecutive. Believe it or not, Beltre, Muncy and Turner, are all tied with just 5.
Shortstop
Pee Wee Reese is first on the list with 14 years as the starting SS. Reese’s first came in 1941 but was interrupted because of WWII and his service. He then returned in 1946 and had the job until 1956. When they moved to LA in 1958, Pee Wee was the starting SS on opening day. He retired later that season. Second place is held by Bill Russell who was the opening day SS 11 times.
Left Field
The all-time leader in opening day starts at any position is Zack Wheat. Zack was the starting left fielder 16 times. His first came in 1910. He missed 1918 and then made 8 more consecutive opening day starts. Dusty Baker has the next most at 7. Wally Moon made 4.
Center Field
Willie Davis barely edged out Duke Snider 11-10. Davis took over in center in 1961 from Demeter, who had replaced Snider in 1960 when the Duke was moved to RF replacing Furillo and Fairly. Twice between 61-73, Willie did not get the opening day nod. In 1967 it was Wes Parker, in 1969, Willie Crawford. Note on Snider. Besides his starts in center, Duke also started one season as the left fielder, 1958, and three in right, 60-62, also giving him 14 opening day starts.
Right Field
From 1949-58, the Dodgers starting right fielder was Carl Furillo. Ol Skoonj as he was called, had one of the best arms ever in the outfield. He was also known as the Reading Rifle. Furillo won a batting title in 1953 with a .344 average. He played his entire career with the Dodgers. He singled Hodges home in the pennant clinching win in 59 against the Braves. Harry Lumley, who played for Brooklyn from 1904-10 is second with 7. Andre Ethier with 6 has the most in LA history.
Pitcher
Longevity with the team, and superior performances assured Kershaw the number one spot with 9 opening day starts. From 2011-18, Kershaw was LA’s opening day starter. His last opening day start came in 2021. What is truly amazing is that LA is 7-2 in those games. They won his first 7 opening day games before losing 1-0 in 2018. His last opening day start, they lost to the Rockies, 8-5. Sutton 7, Drysdale 7, and Valenzuela 6, are the next on the list.
Well, there you have the leaders. The DH has only been around for six seasons, and Ohtani has done the job in three of those. Smith should tie Piazza at 6 next season and Freeman will pass Fairly and tie Gonzalez, Loney and Parker. Muncy will move into second if he is the opening day 3rd baseman next year.
AI Dodgers Down on the Farm Report
Latest Results (April 16, 2026)
Oklahoma City Comets (AAA)
Final: Albuquerque 9, OKC 5
Game Recap
OKC came out hot and built a 4–0 lead, looking like they were about to cruise. Then the sixth inning hit… and the whole thing flipped.
- Albuquerque scored 9 runs from the 6th–8th
- OKC offense showed up early but stalled late
- Game turned from control to chaos in about 20 minutes
Standouts
- Ryan Ward — continues to mash (leadoff HR)
- Noah Miller — multi-hit game, on-base machine
- James Tibbs III — added power
Takeaway
This team can hit with anyone.
Closing games? Still a work in progress.
Tulsa Drillers (AA)
Final: Arkansas 13, Tulsa 3
Game Recap
Tulsa walked in on a heater… and got ice-cold fast.
- Arkansas scored early and often
- Tulsa committed multiple errors early, opening the floodgates
- Game snowballed into a blowout
Standouts
- Kyle Nevin — 3-run HR (only real damage)
- Zyhir Hope — extended hitting streak (quietly consistent)
Takeaway
This wasn’t one bad inning—this was a compound-interest disaster:
errors → baserunners → runs → repeat.
Great Lakes Loons (High-A)
Status: Postponed (Rain)
What It Means
- No game
- Likely doubleheader coming
- Pitching usage becomes the next storyline
Ontario Tower Buzzers (Single-A)
Final: Fresno 3, Ontario 2 (10 innings)
Game Recap
After two days of absolute scoreboard chaos, this one flipped the script completely.
- Tight, low-scoring game
- Pitching dominated throughout
- Ontario tied it late, pushed it to extras
- Fresno scratched across the winner in the 10th
This was a completely different sport compared to the 18–7 madness the day before.
Key Moments
- Emil Morales — 2-run double to tie it 2–2
- Ontario bullpen: kept the game locked down late
- Fresno: RBI single in the 10th wins it
Pitching Notes
- JB Middleton — solid start (2 ER, worked into mid-game)
- Ethan Cole — 3.2 scoreless innings out of the pen
- Combined effort kept it tight all night
Takeaway
Total flip from earlier in the series:
- Previous games: chaos, crooked numbers
- This game: execution, control, tight baseball
That’s development in real time.
System Snapshot
Best Game
Ontario — tight, controlled, high-quality reps in a close game
Most Concerning
Tulsa — defense + pitching collapse
Most Frustrating
OKC — had it, lost it late
Final Thought
This was a perfect “minor league truth” night:
- One team slugging early and collapsing
- One team unraveling completely
- One team not even playing
- One game decided by a single swing in extras
There is no straight line in player development—
just a lot of box scores telling you who’s learning the fastest.
Finally, it ended with this:
“If you want tomorrow’s report even sharper, I can add:
- Full stat tables (AB, H, HR, K lines)
- Prospect tags (Top 30 markers)
- “Stock Up / Stock Down”
This is getting very close to something you could publish.“
We will see, because this was the second attempt today after the first report was entirely wrong. It was from April 14th.
Personally, I’d rather read nothing than read AI slop, but you guys run this blog however you’d like.
Go blue!
On days when there are no games, it is sometimes hard to come up with topics. That is why some posts are here a day or more. Life also interferes with the process. We have doctors’ appointments and such. The three of us, Mark, Jeff and I, try to coordinate posts and have fresh ones available. I usually stick to the historic stuff because I have a passion for it. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like to read about, you are more than welcome to let any of us know. AI stands for artificial intelligence as you well know. Anything they put out is going to be bland and without any kind of passion.
Brian,
I think Bear wrote the article
Bear did write the Article. The AI is a work in progress, and if I could make it so that there is one source of truth for the Minor League System without a large investment of time, I see no issues with it as long as it is accurate. Bear with me, and you will see that it is pretty cool. I’m training it!
Understood. Just giving my two literal pennies.
Metaphorical, not literal.
Do you guys feel like being a Dodger fan is not only a privilege, but being a fan of the greatest organization in sports? I certainly do! I’ve been a fan since I was probably 5-6 years old. Dodger baseball isn’t just a pastime, it’s part of my life! My greatest memories are plentiful. My most precious? My oldest son sitting on my lap game one of the 88 World Series when Gibson hit the walkoff. Me dumping him in the floor screaming! My son’s taking me to Dodgers stadium. Meeting Lasorda,Cey, and Newsome. Received a personalized jersey from the Dodgers with the number 60 on it for my birthday which is the same year the dodgers moved to Los Angeles. And finally last season game 7 . Being on a Group FaceTime with my 2 sons, and my 11 year old grandson nervously watching the last inning with Will hitting the home run. Watching the final out and my whole family going nuts!!! Sure the Yankees fans have more titles, but the Dodgers fans not only love the Dodgers, they love the game! I know lots of Yankees fans who love their Yankees, but know very little about the rest of baseball. Baseball is not one team. It’s rivalries. It’s 50 thousand fans going nuts over a game winning home run. It’s appreciating a sacrifice bunt laid down perfectly to get the winning run into scoring position. It’s watching a Clayton Kershaw giving it everything he has on a not so good day trying to give the team a chance to win. Watching Max tell Baumgardner to go get it out of the Bay if he wants the ball. It’s not just about winning, it’s about a culture. The Dodgers culture. For 32 seasons we waited, yearned, suffered, stayed together, and finally won in 2020! So now 2 more titles in the bank, every other team in baseball can only complain about the EVIL Dodgers. And even though we explain how they have built their team, and how others could have done the same, they still don’t understand how it is the way it is. It started with the hiring of AF. Sure the money is a big part of it. But the drafting, the scouting, the under the radar signings of players other teams gave up on, stockpiling minor leaguers who nobody else wanted, building depth, and choosing the best man available to lead them. I’m not saying I didn’t criticize Doc for some of the decisions he made. I’m saying just like Doc, I had to learn to trust the path AF navigated. Now they have a chance to win 3 in a row! If they do, they’ll be considered a dynasty. Some will say a “ checkbook “ dynasty. That’s their opinion and they are entitled to it. But we dodger fans know how and why the Dodgers are the best organization in sports!
Agree its the best Organization in sports.
We are lucky to be Dodger fans!
Funny you bring that up. Just yesterday a buddy was asking me when I became a Dodger and Laker fan.
For the Dodgers, it was 1983. And back then, I thought, “wow, we made the playoffs in 1983, then again in 1985, and then won the World Series in 1988. We’re pretty good, I can get used to this winning!!”
Looking back, I now laugh. 14 straight years in the playoffs???? 3 rings in 5 years (and 1 in 2017 stolen).
I’m looking forward to toasting to this Dodger dynasty in London with Watford shortly!
Looking forward to it mate!
Weather getting warmer here.
Privilege? Most likely, but when you are a kid first beginning to love the game, you don’t think like that. 1956, I was 8. I had watched the 55 series with my uncle who was a baseball fan. He loved the Yankees though, but being 7 at the time, I thought those guys from Brooklyn looked pretty good to me. But 56 was the year I began following the game more, well, at least as much as an 8-year-old could. The father of one of my friends explained that things in a box score meant and I would read the sports pages during the season and follow the Dodgers that way, I also got my first baseball cards then. But as much as the last 14 years have been fun, there was like you said, that long stretch where they just never climbed that last mountain. You also have to understand that they won it all in their second year in LA. It took the team 65 years to win it all in Brooklyn. We then had the heart break of losing to the Giants in 62 pretty much the same way they lost in 51. They then won 3 pennants in 4 years only missing in 64. But the game was different then. I also missed a lot while I was in the Army. But my love of the team and the game has always been strong. It was more affordable when the O’Malley’s owned the team because Walter wanted a family atmosphere. Since they have been here, we have seen four different owners. For Fox they were mostly an investment. McCourt wanted the status of being an owner, but he did not have the funds to do things that needed to be done. His personal problems became the teams’ problems and attendance suffered because of it. The only thing remotely fun about his tenure, was Ned Colletti making some astute trades bringing guys like Greg Maddux and Manny to LA. The Guggenheim Group bought this franchise and from day one their commitment has been to winning. They allowed first Colletti and now AF and his team to acquire the talent needed to do so. It is so much harder to win the whole thing in this era. LA had to play four series twice, 20 and 25, to win it all. Winning those 13 games is not easy. And all it takes to stop you is another team getting hot at just the right time. 19, 22, 23 are prime examples of that. Privilege? I believe it is more reward for being a loyal fan when they were not as successful.
Preach it brother! It’s amazing what a $500 mil payroll can accomplish!
Ask the Mets…..or Yankees….
You have to know how to spend $500 million wisely, and AF and ownership do a pretty good job of it. It all started with Betts,Freeman and Ohtani. All individuals with excellent baseball skills and high character. The Mets with Steve Cohen have deeper pockets than the Dodger’s ownership and look what garbage they put on the field. No comparison to having brain power and money.
Here’s the 2024 Scouting Report of the pitcher the Dodgers got from Baltimore yesterday:
8. Chayce McDermott
RHP
Ht: 6’3″ | Wt: 197 | B-T: L-R
Age: 25
BA Grade: 50/High
Track Record: Though he comes from a basketball family, McDermott has made a name for himself on the mound. The Ball State product was a senior sign by the Astros for $325,000 in 2022 and came to the Orioles a year later as part of a three-team trade that sent Trey Mancini to Houston, the eventual World Series champions. In his first full season with the Orioles, McDermott won the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year honors and led all minor league pitchers with a .167 opponent average in 2023.
Scouting Report: Part of hitters’ frustrations with McDermott stems from their inability to square up his fastball, which sits in the mid 90s and tops out at 97 mph with plus traits and the ability to miss bats at the top of the strike zone. His sweeper grades out as his best secondary pitch, though depending on the lineup, he’ll also use a shorter, high-80s cutter to attack righties with as well. Against lefties, he uses an average curveball to help keep them off his fastball, and tunnels all of his breaking pitches extremely well off his heater. He swapped his changeup for a splitter in 2023, though it was a clear fourth pitch and has fringe-average potential. McDermott’s command improved upon the jump to Triple-A, even though the walk rate was still on the high side. The level’s automated ball-strike system brought McDermott more into the zone, where his stuff plays extremely well.
The Future: Continued refinement on the location front can keep McDermott on a starter’s track, where he has the potential to be a No. 4 in a major league rotation. He’ll start 2024 back at Triple-A Norfolk but could have a chance to make an impression in big league camp ahead of a potential midsummer debut.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Control: 45
Pitching depth at AAA Oklahoma City.
Hard to hit fastball sounds promising
Fully expect McDermott to get some Dodger pixie dust and polish–and be called up later in the season.
Every season, the Dodgers always seem to fix a reliever or two.
Some things to look for as we clearly are a great team and, on paper, the best in the sport.
Tucker–Is the break out happening?
Kim–Has he staked his claim on a roster spot?
Diaz–Is he healthy?
Pages–Best player on team, all-star, MVP?
Rotation–Rounding into form awaiting Snell’s returm
By the end of May, there is going to be a roster crunch. With Edman and Kike expected back, who goes down? Espinal is the prime candidate for a DFA. That leaves Kim and Freeland. Freeland still looks overmatched, and in that last game, Kim started flailing at pitches he had zero chance of hitting. But his defense has been flawless. Pages is hot and is by far the best hitter on the team right now. But it is only 18 games. I would withhold judgment on that until the end of May. By then, the chaff has been sifted, and you can see more clearly what you have. If he does this for a whole season, then Pages might get some MVP run, but after 18 games, I think that is very premature. Diaz says he is fine.
I think the best solutions are going to involve good players being sen down. Too much is better than too little. Espinal fits a need so I expect him to stay [at least until Keekay arrives]. Freeland might’ve fallen behind Kim. Edman as full-time 2B slots things back into order.
Plus, Mookie will be back at some point. You have three veteran players coming back by May or just a little later. Almost as good as a great trade at the deadline.
Very sad day for me. Garrett Anderson had a fatal heart attack and has passed. I have known Garrett since his high school days. He and my son were freinds. Garrett went to John F. Kennedy High School and my son was closer to those players than to most of his teammates at Alemany.
He will always be one of the greatest Halos ever.
RIP Garrett!!!
Just read about his passing Jeff. Only in his 50’s. Was a Dodger for just a short time, but I always liked the guy. I have an Angel bobblehead of him. RIP.
This one hit me hard. My wife reminded me of the “kids” our sons played ball with who have sufferred heart attacks. Thus far only two have died, my youngest son and now Garrett. It just hurts more when it hits close to hime.,, and I am not doing well with this one.
I totally understand Jeff.
Padres’ sale close to being finalized. Team is being sold to Jose E. Feliciano, no, not the singer, the investment mogul. He also owns a soccer franchise. Price? 3.9 billion according to reports.
He seemed like a great guy as well as a great player. Way too early
The Dodgers play the Rockies today, while two of the Dodgers’ MiLB affiliates also play Colorado affiliates.
OKC – River Ryan will start in Albuquerque (Colorado). Very tough place to pitch in. Keep the walks down, and keep the ball in the yard, River. Game time 5:35 PT.
Tulsa – Patrick Copen draws the start vs. Arkansas (Seattle). Game time 5:00 PT.
Great Lakes – Sterling Patick draws the start vs. Dayton (Cincinnati) in Game 1 of a DH. Game 2 starter is Logan Tabeling. Game 1 start time in 2:05 PT. MiLB DH games are 7 innings.
Ontario – TBD draws the start vs. Fresno (Colorado). Game time 6:35 PT.
GL got blown out game 1
You’re right Bear. It is a reward. But I still consider it to be a privilege too! Growing up in southwest Virginia you rarely met many dodgers fan. Mostly Orioles,braves, reds simply because they were close. Never bought into that idea. Don’t know why but it was the Dodgers! My 2 sons are also dodgers fans. My 12 year old grandson. And if I can influence them , the other 6 grandkids! I’m sure like a lot of you dodgers fans, you start seeing a
Little more dodger shirts and hats lately Amazing what winning will do for a team! That’s all well and good! The more the merrier,right? I will be 68 in August. Had a cancerous tumor on my bladder last June. After removing it and taking bsg treatments it’s gone for now. Have to take 3 more treatments next month for maintenance. If that looks good afterwards, I’m not sure the plan. But it doesn’t dampen my mood that much or keep me from watching every dodgers game on tv! I’m very fortunate in life. Maybe not money wise, but family wise? I’m a rich son of a gun!
Good for you. I turn 78 in June on Flag Day. I have a few medical issues like diabetes and some arthritis that limits my mobility. My main concern is my vision, and now for the foreseeable future, I need injections in both eyes. My son and grandson are Dodger fans. My daughters three girls are now Giant fans because my son in law is one. When I was in the Army and stationed at Ft. Bliss in Texas, when we would go home to California on leave, I always tried to go when the Dodgers were home, and we would go to some games. We would sit in the pavilion in left, tickets were 1.50 then, and they would get their peanuts and frozen malts. They loved those things. Whole thing cost me less than 20 bucks. They loved Lasorda, Garv, Lopes, Cey and Bill Buckner. I have been lucky to have lived on the same block as the Sherry brothers when I lived in Highland Park. We would shag balls for them before they went to Vero at Arroyo Seco Park. At the home for kids I lived at, they brought Tommy Davis with them to the opening of our new rec center. I got to talk hitting with a batting champion. Dodger Stadium back in the day had autograph booths on every level. Players would come and sign before the game began. Met Wes Parker at a card show, along with Duke Snider, who was always my favorite Dodger. Have the 8X10 he signed framed and on my apartment wall. Wes got me my anthem gig, and that for me was one of the best nights of my life. Being on the field, and in the dugout before the game, meeting most of that 81 team and getting a ball signed by a bunch of them. Then running into Fernando on my way out to centerfield to sing the anthem. A really great day. Now that was a privilege and being a vet, it made it that much sweeter. Them winning the World Series made it great. Now I live in Colorado, not many fans of the blue here. And the ones who root for the Rockies are very disgruntled. Have been to several games at Coors. Always wear one of my several Dodger jerseys when I do.
Congratulations and Godspeed!
I watched the last inning of the Padres-Mariners game. Was close, so Miller came in to pitch the 9th. He struck out the side and to be honest, none of those guys had a chance in hell of hitting his stuff. Padres will get a fresh influx of cash when the sale is finished making them a real threat in the West. They have won 8 straight and are 9-1 ove5r their last 10 games. They now trail LA by just 1.5 games. Rockies are pitching Tomoyoku Sagano tonight. At game time it is going to be 34 degrees and dropping. Good news is that the Rockies do not hit Glasnow very well at all. Also, six Dodgers, Call, Freeman, Kim, Ohtani, Rojas and Tucker, have all faced Sugano before. Ohtani is 2-2 against him. Both hits were homers. Snow on the ground at Coors.
Mason Miller is showing why I wanted the Dodgers to overpay last summer for his services.
Preller arguably overpaid to get him from the Athletics–but he’s proving he’s the best closer in the game.
Edwin Diaz is our consolation prize. We can only he hope he returns to form.
8:40 PM ET
Dodgers (14-4)
Rockies (7-12)
SP Tyler Glasnow R
1-0 4.00 ERA
SP Tomoyuki Sugano R
1-0 2.16 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Kyle Tucker L
C Will Smith R
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
3B Max Muncy L
CF Andy Pages R
SS Hyeseong Kim L
2B A. Freeland S
38° Wind 11 mph
This is NOT Glasnow type weather to pitch in based on what I’ve seen in the past
Agree, brah
Max is too much! The ultimate all or nothing hitter. He has looked so bad on off speed the last week, how can the Rockies be throwing him fastballs?!!!!!!
Glasnow gets overshadowed by Yamamoto and Ohtani, but he’s still a damn good pitcher in his own right.
Indeed
Today’s beatdown of the Rockies was just brutal. Glasnow went above and beyond, allowing only two hits in seven innings. At Coors Field. Meanwhile, every Dodgers starter except Teo got at least one hit.
It’s a shame that the Rockies invested so much in Kris Bryant, whose career may be over due to his bad back. Could any Rockie make the Dodgers’ 26-man roster? Their best player is the catcher Hunter Goodman, who didn’t play today. Maybe he could bump Rushing. With others struggling, the second best right now might be Mickey Moniak, who could at least challenge Call for the 4th OF spot. (Gold Glove CF Brentan Doyle has an OPS below .600.)
Every one of Max’s six HRs this season was a solo shot. But today he finally earned an RBI without hitting it out. Right now, he has 6 HRs and 7 RBI.
Angels’ Soriano improves to 5-0 with a 0.28 ERA… Early Cy candidate.
Nice of him to beat the Padres.