With Opening Day only six days away, I thought it would be appropriate to see what the record books have to say about the Cincinnati Reds on the first game of the year. At the present time, adequate records only take us back to 1952.
This game will be against the St. Louis Cardinals against whom the Reds are 8-7.
Since 1952 the Reds are 30-27-1 in their opening game. The lone tie was a 3-3 game against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2000.
Since 1952 the Reds have played every game at home except 1990 at the Astrodome in Houston and at Connie Mack Stadium in 1966 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Their longest winning streak on Opening Day is nine games from 1983-1991.
Their longest losing streak is four, from 1955-1958.
The most Opening Day starts for a pitcher for the Reds is six by Mario Soto, five of which were consecutive from 1982-1986 and then again in 1988. Aaron Harang will join Soto as the leader in consecutive starts this season.
Jose Rijo started four games all in succession from 1992-1995.
The most Opening Day wins for a pitcher is four by Mario Soto, followed by Jim O'Toole and Danny Graves with two each.
The most consecutive starts by a position player is Pete Rose with 16.
The most consecutive starts by a player at the same position is Dave Concepcion with 13.
In Opening Day shutouts the Reds are 5-6, the last one in 1980, a 9-0 pasting of the Atlanta Braves and Phil Neikro. The last time they were shutout on Opening Day was 1953 against the Milwaukee Braves (2-0).
The Reds have more Opening Day wins over the Chicago Cubs with 13 (13-16) than any other squad.
The Reds have more Opening Day losses to the Pittsburgh Pirates with 19 (8-19) than any other team.
The Reds have played the Chicago Cubs more games on Opening Day than any other team with 29.
The most runs the Reds have given up on Opening Day came in 2006 against the Cubs (16-7).
The most total home runs hit by a Reds player since 1952 is five by Adam Dunn, who had two games with two home runs each. Frank Robinson and Tony Perez each hit three.
Let's see how the Reds can add to the record books on Monday.
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