Opening Day.
There’s nothing like it in sports.
It’s a sign that spring is here (well, maybe not in Boston or Chicago), baseball season is on and all is well in America for at least a day.
There are tons of memorable Opening Days. In the 41-year history of the San Diego Padres, none may have had as many twists and turns as the April 5, 1983 opener at the San Francisco Giants.
The Padres won, 16-13, but not before the game took 3 hours, 39 minutes (in an era when 2 ½ hours was a long game.)
San Diego’s winning pitcher was Tim Lollar, who gave up six runs on eight hits in five innings.
Mike Krukow of the Giants wasn’t so fortunate, surrendering four runs, three walks and four hits in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss.
The Padres led after 5 ½ innings, 16-6, only to hold on for dear life before Gary Lucas earned the save with 1 1/3 shutout innings.
Along the way, Garry Templeton had a home run and four RBIs for the Padres, Terry Kennedy and Lollar each added three RBIs and newly-acquired Steve Garvey was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Thankfully, not many Opening Days transpire as this one did.
Don’t expect nearly as much when Jake Peavy of San Diego faces the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day because he always beats the team from up north.
There’s nothing like it in sports.
It’s a sign that spring is here (well, maybe not in Boston or Chicago), baseball season is on and all is well in America for at least a day.
There are tons of memorable Opening Days. In the 41-year history of the San Diego Padres, none may have had as many twists and turns as the April 5, 1983 opener at the San Francisco Giants.
The Padres won, 16-13, but not before the game took 3 hours, 39 minutes (in an era when 2 ½ hours was a long game.)
San Diego’s winning pitcher was Tim Lollar, who gave up six runs on eight hits in five innings.
Mike Krukow of the Giants wasn’t so fortunate, surrendering four runs, three walks and four hits in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss.
The Padres led after 5 ½ innings, 16-6, only to hold on for dear life before Gary Lucas earned the save with 1 1/3 shutout innings.
Along the way, Garry Templeton had a home run and four RBIs for the Padres, Terry Kennedy and Lollar each added three RBIs and newly-acquired Steve Garvey was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Thankfully, not many Opening Days transpire as this one did.
Don’t expect nearly as much when Jake Peavy of San Diego faces the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day because he always beats the team from up north.
1 comment:
I guess 2009 doesn't qualify ... but 1969 did when the Padres won their first 3 games. Hope this team doesn't finish as bad as that one!
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