Newcomers Roy Halladay and Placido Polanco wrote the headlines in the only other season opener the Phillies have played in Nationals Park.
Halladay, making his Phillies debut, was the winning pitcher in the 11-1 romp over the Nationals on April 5, 2010. He allowed one run while fanning nine in seven innings. Acquired in a December 16, 2009, trade with Toronto, “Doc” would go on to win 20 more games and receive his second Cy Young Award. Oh, and he added a perfect game in May and a no-hitter in his postseason debut.
Third baseman Polanco drove in six runs to tie the Phillies opening day record. Included was the first ever grand slam in a season opener. “Polly” was signed as a free agent 13 days before the Halladay trade, a return to Philadelphia. His first Phillies opener came in 2003, 0-5 at second base.
Opening Day History
The Phillies and Nationals have played two openers at Citizens Bank Park. Phils won, 8-4, in 2005 and lost, 11-6, three years later.
Overall, the Phillies are 63-77, including ties in 1923 and 1924 . . . There have been 14 extra-inning games (5-7-2); the last in 2021 . . . A year ago, a 9-3 loss to visiting Atlanta . . . Longest winning streak, six years in a row (1913-18). Eight years is the longest losing streak (1985-92).
Opener Nuggets
Zack Wheeler is starting pitcher for the second straight year. Prior, Aaron Nola had six consecutive years. The most opening day starts for a Phillies pitcher: 14, Steve Carlton; 12, Robin Roberts; 6, Chris Short and Nola.
The longest streak among current Phillies belongs to J.T. Realmuto. Assuming he’ll be behind the plate again, it will his seventh in a row.
Center field is another story, eight different in the last eight years. The parade: Johan Rojas (2024), Brandon Marsh (2023), Matt Vierling (2022), Adam Haseley (2021), Roman Quinn (2020), Odubel Herrera (2019), Aaron Altherr (2018) and Herrera (2017).
Most Opening Day Starts (Since 1901)
C Mike Lieberthal (10)
1B Ryan Howard (10)
2B Chase Utley (8)
SS Jimmy Rollins (14)
3B Mike Schmidt (16)
LF Greg Luzinski (9)
CF Richie Ashburn (10)
RF Johnny Callison (9)
DH Kyle Schwarber (2)
P Steve Carlton (14)
Club Records
Most Home Runs—5, Mike Schmidt; 3, Scott Rolen & Jimmy Rollins
Most Starts—14, Steve Carlton
Most Consecutive Starts—12, Robin Roberts (1950-61)
Most Wins—5, Robin Roberts
Most Losses—9, Steve Carlton
Most Shutouts—3, Chris Short
Most Home Runs, 2
LF Sherry Magee . . . April 14, 1914 . . . 10-1 win vs. New York Giants at Baker Bowl . . . 6 RBI.
LF Lefty O’Doul . . . April 18, 1929 . . . 11-9 loss vs. New York Giants at Baker Bowl . . . 4 RBI.
RF Chuck Klein . . . April 14, 1931 . . . 9-5 loss vs. New York Giants at Baker Bowl . . . 3 RBI.
SS Don Money . . . April 8, 1969 . . . 7-6 loss vs. Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, 11 innings . . . 5 RBI
Most RBI, 6
LF Sherry Magee . . . April 14, 1914 . . . 10-1 win vs. New York Giants at Baker Bowl. (1B, 2 HR)
3B Placido Polanco . . . April 5, 2010 . . . 11-1 win vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. (SF, 1B, grand slam)
Grand Slams
3B Placido Polanco . . . April 5, 2010 . . . 11-1 win vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. (SF, 1B, grand slam)
1B Rhys Hoskins . . . March 28, 2019 . . . 10-4 win vs. Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.