For the Opening Day starting pitchers prior to 1968, see List of Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics Opening Day starting pitchers.
The Oakland Athletics were a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California. They played in the American League West division. The club was founded in Philadelphia in 1901, moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1955 and relocated to Oakland in 1968. The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starter is an honor, which is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season, though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.
During their time in Oakland, the A's home field was the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, a multi-purpose stadium that has also been used for football, and soccer games. Commonly referred to as The Oakland Coliseum, or simply The Coliseum, it was formerly known as Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum (1966–1998, 2008–2011, 2016–2019, 2020, 2023–present), Network Associates Coliseum (1998–2004), McAfee Coliseum (2004–2008), Overstock.com Coliseum (2011), O.co Coliseum (2011–2016), and RingCentral Coliseum (2019–2020, 2020–2023) The A's played their 1996 Opening Day game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada while repairs at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum were being completed, the first time in 39 years that a major league team played in a minor-league ballpark.
In Oakland, the A's used 36 different Opening Day starting pitchers in their 57 seasons. The 36 starters have a combined Opening Day record of 16 wins, 22 losses and 19 no decisions. No decisions are only awarded to the starting pitcher if the game is won or lost after the starting pitcher has left the game or if the starting pitcher pitches fewer than five innings. Of the 19 no decisions, the A's went on to win nine and lose ten of those games, for a team record on Opening Day of 25 wins and 32 losses.
The team played 41 of their Opening Day games at home: 37 at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, 3 in Tokyo, and once in Las Vegas. Of the 37 games played in Oakland, the A's starting pitchers have a record of 12 wins, 11 losses and 14 no decisions (the team won nine and lost five of these no decisions). The 1996 game at Las Vegas' Cashman Field was a loss for starter Carlos Reyes. The 2008 game in the Tokyo Dome was a no decision for starter Joe Blanton that ended in an A's loss. The 2012 Tokyo Dome game resulted in a no decision for starter Brandon McCarthy and a loss for the team. Mike Fiers took the loss in the 2019 Tokyo Dome opener. Overall, the team's starting pitchers' record in home games is 12–13 (with 16 no decisions).
The A's advanced to the playoffs 21 times while in Oakland, winning the American League Championship Series six times and going on to win the World Series in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1989. In the 21 seasons that the A's advanced to the playoffs, the team's Opening Day starting pitchers have had a record of eight wins, five losses and eight no decisions; the team ultimately won five and lost three of the no decisions. The team's starters won four and lost one Opening Day game in the six seasons they advanced to the World Series.
Catfish Hunter was the team's first Opening Day starter after the team moved to Oakland, taking a 3–1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium in 1968.
Key
| Season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular Athletics season. |
| W | Win |
| L | Loss |
| ND (W) | No decision by starting pitcher; Athletics won game |
| ND (L) | No decision by starting pitcher; Athletics lost game |
| Final Score (#) | Game score with Athletics runs listed first; in brackets are the number of innings over than 9 |
| Location | Stadium in bold for home game |
| Pitcher (#) | Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Athletics |
| * | Advanced to the post-season |
| ** | Won the American League Championship Series |
| *** | World Series Champions |
Opening Day results
Notes
- The 2020 season was played without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pitchers
Opening Day starting pitchers listed in descending order by the number of Opening Day starts for the A's in Oakland:
| Pitcher | Starts | Wins | Losses | No Decisions | Winning % | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Stewart | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | .800 | 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995 |
| Rick Langford | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | .000 | 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983 |
| Catfish Hunter | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 | 1968, 1973, 1974 |
| Tim Hudson | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 | 2001, 2003, 2004 |
| Blue Moon Odom | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1969, 1970 |
| Vida Blue | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 1971, 1975 |
| Mike Torrez | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1976, 1977 |
| Chris Codiroli | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 1985, 1986 |
| Barry Zito | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 2005, 2006 |
| Sonny Gray | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .500 | 2014, 2015 |
| Kendall Graveman | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .500 | 2017, 2018 |
| Frankie Montas | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | 2020, 2022 |
| Ken Holtzman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1972 |
| Mike Norris | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1981 |
| Steve McCatty | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1984 |
| Curt Young | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1987 |
| Bob Welch | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1993 |
| Bobby Witt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1994 |
| Carlos Reyes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 1996 |
| Ariel Prieto | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1997 |
| Tom Candiotti | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 1998 |
| Gil Heredia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 1999 |
| Kevin Appier | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 2000 |
| Mark Mulder | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 2002 |
| Danny Haren | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 2007 |
| Joe Blanton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 2008 |
| Dallas Braden | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 2009 |
| Ben Sheets | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 2010 |
| Trevor Cahill | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 2011 |
| Brandon McCarthy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 2012 |
| Brett Anderson | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 2013 |
| Rich Hill | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 2016 |
| Mike Fiers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 2019 |
| Chris Bassitt | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 2021 |
| Kyle Muller | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 2023 |
| Alex Wood | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 2024 |
Footnotes
- Catfish Hunter also had one Opening Day start for the Kansas City Athletics in 1966, giving him a total of four Opening Day starts with the franchise. Hunter got the loss in his Opening Day start in 1966.
References
- Oakland Athletics year-by-year results, Oakland Athletics. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- Bastian, Jordan (March 22, 2010). "Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day". MLB.com. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
- Dilbeck, Steve (February 24, 2014). "Dodgers may not start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- Ballparks: 1901 - Present, Oakland Athletics. Accessed October 24, 2008.
- Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland Athletics. Accessed October 24, 2008.
- Bay City News Service. "McAfee Coliseum name reverts to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum", Contra Costa Times, September 19, 2008. Accessed October 24, 2008.
- Dahlberg, Tim. "A's new `home' is in Las Vegas Renovations forced move for start of season", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 1, 1996. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ Oakland Athletics Opening Day Starters and Results, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 10, 1968, Athletics at Orioles Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 8, 1969, White Sox at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 7, 1970, Athletics at Royals Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 5, 1971, Athletics at Senators Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 15, 1972, Twins at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 6, 1973, Twins at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 4, 1974, Athletics at Rangers Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 8, 1975, White Sox at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 9, 1976, Athletics at Angels Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 9, 1977, Twins at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 7, 1978, Athletics at Angels Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 6, 1979, Twins at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 10, 1980, Twins at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 9, 1981, Athletics at Twins Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 6, 1982, Angels at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 4, 1983, Indians at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 3, 1984, Brewers at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 25, 2008.
- ^ April 9, 1985, Athletics at Mariners Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 26, 2008.
- ^ April 8, 1986, Twins at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 26, 2008.
- ^ April 7, 1987, Athletics at Twins Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 4, 1988, Mariners at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 3, 1989, Mariners at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 9, 1990, Twins at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 9, 1991, Twins at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 6, 1992, Royals at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 5, 1993, Tigers at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 5, 1994, Athletics at Brewers Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 26, 1995, Athletics at Blue Jays Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 1, 1996, Blue Jays at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 2, 1997, Indians at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 1, 1998, Red Sox at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 5, 1999, Tigers at Rangers Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 5, 1999, Yankees at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 2, 2001, Athletics at Mariners Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 1, 2002, Rangers at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 1, 2003, Mariners at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 5, 2004, Rangers at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 4, 2005, Athletics at Orioles Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 3, 2006, Yankees at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ April 2, 2007, Athletics at Mariners Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ March 25, 2008, Red Sox at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 27, 2008.
- ^ "LA Angels 3, Oakland 0". Yahoo!. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
- ^ "Seattle 5, Oakland 3". Yahoo!. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
- ^ "Seattle 6, Oakland 2". Yahoo!. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ^ "MLB.com Gameday". MLB.com. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics - April 1, 2013". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians at Oakland Athletics - March 31, 2014". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
- ^ "Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics - April 6, 2015". MLB.com. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
- ^ "CWS vs. OAK - 04/04/2016". MLB.com. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
- ^ "Angels vs. Athletics - 04/03/2017". MLB.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ "Angels vs. Athletics Box Score - 03/29/18". MLB.com. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ "Mariners vs. Athletics Box Score - 03/20/19". MLB.com. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- ^ "Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics Box Score, July 24, 2020". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics Box Score, April 1, 2021". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ "Oakland Athletics at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score, April 8, 2022". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics Box Score, March 30, 2023". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Cleveland Guardians at Oakland Athletics Box Score, March 28, 2024". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- April 1, 1966, Athletics at Twins Box Score and Play by Play, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed January 6, 2009.
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