Opening Day Memories Of The Oakland Athletics

Mar 26, 2020, 11:16 AM | Updated: 11:16 am

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

On what should have been Opening Day for Major League Baseball, we look back at some noteworthy season openers for the Athletics

Today should have been different.

Instead of watching the Oakland Athletics take the field this afternoon for their season opener against the Minnesota Twins, we will be watching re-run games and reading about Opening Day’s of the past.

While all baseball fans want nothing more than to see their teams back on the field, the most important thing is the safety of all players, team personnel and fans. Opening Day will come soon enough, and we will enjoy watching Athletics baseball once again in the near future.

For now, we stay home, stay safe and look back on some noteworthy A’s Opening Day memories from over the years.

March 29, 2018 – Semien Walks It Off

Marcus Semien started the 2018 season of in the best way possible for Oakland, delivering a walk-off single into center-field to give the A’s a 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Tied up at 5-5 in the 11th inning, Boog Powell tripled to left to put the winning run in scoring position with one out. After an intentional walk was issued to Matt Joyce, Semien took a 2-2 breaking ball and lofted it into center-field for the win.

Oakland would go on to win 97 games in 2018, their best season since 2002 when they won 103 games.

April 6, 2015 – Gray Takes No-Hitter Into Eighth Inning

Sonny Gray had an Opening Day to remember, taking a no-hitter deep into the game against the Texas Rangers back in 2015.

Gray would hurl eight shut-out innings, striking out three batters and only giving up one hit. The lone hit came in the top of the eighth inning when Rangers outfielder Ryan Rua singled off of Gray to end the no-hitter.

April 5, 2004 – Byrnes Comes Through In The Clutch

Trailing 4-3 to the Texas Rangers with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, A’s outfielder Eric Byrnes was called on to pinch hit with runners on first and third.

Byrnes would drill a two-run double to deep left, giving the Athletics the lead for good as they would go on to win 5-4.

April 1, 2003 – Hudson Delivers A Gem

Tim Hudson pitched eight shut-out innings, striking out five and walking two batters to lead the Athletics over the Mariners for a 5-0 win.

“Huddy” went on to finish 16-7 on the season with a 2.70 ERA, finishing fourth in the Cy Young Award voting.

April 3, 1989 – McGwire, Stewart Lead A’s Over Mariners

Mark McGwire hit a two-run home run and Dave Stewart pitched 5.1 innings of one-run ball as the A’s went on to defeat the Seattle Mariners by a final of 3-2.

Dennis Eckersley picked up the save for Oakland, giving the A’s the first win of a championship season.