List of Nashville Vols Opening Day starting pitchers explained

The Nashville Vols were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1901 to 1963.[1] They were established as charter members of the Southern Association in 1901.[2] Known as the Nashville Baseball Club during their first seven seasons, they became the Nashville Volunteers (regularly shortened to Vols) in 1908.[3] Nashville remained in the Southern Association until it disbanded after the 1961 season.[2] The team sat out the 1962 campaign but returned for a final season in the South Atlantic League in 1963 before ceasing operations altogether.[1] The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starting pitcher is an honor which is given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,[4] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[5] The Vols used 55 different Opening Day starters in their 62 seasons.

Nashville's first Opening Day game was played against the Chattanooga Lookouts at Stanton Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on May 2, 1901.[6] Ted Corbett was their starting pitcher that day; he took a no decision in the 15–14 loss, which lasted 10 innings.[6] Their first Opening Day game held at home was against the Birmingham Barons at Athletic Park on April 10, 1907.[7] Starter John Duggan pitched a complete game for the 3–0 victory.[7] Nashville's Athletic Park became known as Sulphur Dell in 1908.[8] The Vols' final Opening Day at the Dell occurred on April 8, 1961, against Chattanooga.[9] Albert Johnston started the game, a 5–3 defeat, and was charged with the loss.[9] On April 19, 1963, the Vols opened their final season versus the Knoxville Smokies at Bill Meyer Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.[10] Starting pitcher Aubrey Gatewood did not figure in the decision in the 8–4 win.[10]

Nashville's Opening Day starting pitchers had a combined Opening Day record of 28 wins, 23 losses, and 11 no decisions, including 1 tie, in 62 seasons. At Sulphur Dell, they had a record of 11 wins, 10 losses, and 6 no decisions, including 1 tie, in 27 Opening Day starts. Vols pitchers had a record of 17 wins, 13 losses, and 5 no decisions in 35 Opening Day starts on the road.

Seven Vols made two Opening Day starts: Art Herman (1903 and 1905), Frank Bair (1911 and 1912), George Milstead (1929 and 1932), George Jeffcoat (1940 and 1941), Leo Twardy (1946 and 1947), Pete Mallory (1948 and 1949), and Jerry Davis (1957 and 1959). Six Nashville Opening Day starters also started Opening Day games in Major League Baseball: Wiley Piatt for the Philadelphia Phillies (1899);[11] George McQuillan for Philadelphia (1908 and 1910) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (1915);[12] [13] [14] Waite Hoyt for the New York Yankees (1927), Brooklyn Dodgers (1932), and Pittsburgh (1935);[15] [16] [17] Red Lucas for the Cincinnati Reds (1929 and 1930);[18] [19] Russ Meyer for the Chicago Cubs (1948);[20] and Jack Harshman for the Baltimore Orioles (1959).[21]

Pitchers

Pitcher
Number indicates multiple appearances as a Vols Opening Day starter
Score Game score with Vols runs listed first; number of innings in a game that was shorter or longer than 9 innings in parentheses
LocationStadium in italics denotes a Vols home game
WWin earned by starting pitcher; Vols won game
LLoss earned by starting pitcher; Vols lost game
ND (W)No decision by starting pitcher; Vols won game
ND (L)No decision by starting pitcher; Vols lost game
ND (T)No decision by starting pitcher; game resulted in a tie
Season!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#17468E 5px solid; border-bottom:#17468E 5px solid; color:#17468E"
PitcherDecisionScoreOpponentLocation
1901ND (W)Chattanooga LookoutsStanton Field[22]
1902WAtlanta CrackersPiedmont Park
1903WBirmingham BaronsWest End Park[23]
1904LBirmingham BaronsWest End Park[24]
1905LAtlanta CrackersPiedmont Park[25]
1906LBirmingham BaronsWest End Park[26]
1907WBirmingham BaronsAthletic Park[27]
1908LAtlanta CrackersPonce de Leon Park[28]
1909ND (W)Montgomery ClimbersSulphur Dell[29]
1910LMemphis TurtlesRusswood Park[30]
1911LMemphis TurtlesRusswood Park[31]
1912WMemphis ChickasawsRusswood Park[32]
1913LBirmingham BaronsRickwood Field[33]
1914LAtlanta CrackersPonce de Leon Park[34]
1915WChattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[35]
1916LChattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[36]
1917WBirmingham BaronsRickwood Field[37]
1918WBirmingham BaronsRickwood Field[38]
1919WBirmingham BaronsRickwood Field[39]
1920WBirmingham BaronsRickwood Field[40]
1921LBirmingham BaronsRickwood Field[41]
1922WBirmingham BaronsRickwood Field[42]
1923WAtlanta CrackersSulphur Dell[43]
1924WAtlanta CrackersSulphur Dell[44]
1925WBirmingham BaronsSulphur Dell[45]
1926WAtlanta CrackersSulphur Dell[46]
1927LAtlanta CrackersSulphur Dell[47]
1928WAtlanta CrackersSulphur Dell[48]
1929LBirmingham BaronsSulphur Dell[49]
1930LBirmingham BaronsSulphur Dell[50]
1931LBirmingham BaronsSulphur Dell[51]
1932WAtlanta CrackersSulphur Dell[52]
1933LChattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[53]
1934WAtlanta CrackersPonce de Leon Park[54]
1935WChattanooga LookoutsEngel Stadium[55]
1936WKnoxville SmokiesSmithson Stadium[56]
1937LAtlanta CrackersPonce de Leon Park[57]
1938LChattanooga LookoutsEngel Stadium[58]
1939ND (T)Knoxville SmokiesSulphur Dell
1940WAtlanta CrackersPonce de Leon Park[59]
1941ND (L)Chattanooga LookoutsEngel Stadium[60]
1942WKnoxville SmokiesSmithson Stadium[61]
1943WAtlanta CrackersPonce de Leon Park[62]
1944LChattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[63]
1945LBirmingham BaronsRickwood Field
1946WChattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[64]
1947WChattanooga LookoutsEngel Stadium[65]
1948ND (L)Chattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[66]
1949ND (L)Chattanooga LookoutsEngel Stadium[67]
1950ND (W)Chattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[68]
1951LLittle Rock TravelersTravelers Field[69]
1952LLittle Rock TravelersSulphur Dell[70]
1953WLittle Rock TravelersTravelers Field[71]
1954ND (L)Little Rock TravelersSulphur Dell[72]
1955ND (L)Chattanooga LookoutsEngel Stadium[73]
1956WChattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[74]
1957WChattanooga LookoutsEngel Stadium[75]
1958LChattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell[76]
1959ND (L)Mobile BearsSulphur Dell[77]
1960WMemphis ChickasawsSulphur Dell[78]
1961LChattanooga LookoutsSulphur Dell
1963ND (W)Knoxville SmokiesBill Meyer Stadium[79]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nashville, Tennessee Encyclopedia. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 2, 2023.
  2. Web site: Bill. Weiss. Marshall. Wright. 47. 1940 Nashville Vols. Minor League Baseball. 2001. September 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20201012164314/http://www.milb.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=47. October 12, 2020. dead.
  3. News: 'Volunteers' is the New Name for Nashville's Baseball Club. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. February 29, 1908. 6.
  4. Web site: Jordan. Bastian. Marcum Tapped for Jays' Opening Day. Major League Baseball. March 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105103440/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100322&content_id=8868046&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. November 5, 2012. November 14, 2018.
  5. Web site: Steve. Dilbeck. Dodgers May Not Start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney. Los Angeles Times. February 24, 2014. November 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030825/http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-clayton-kershaw-sydney-20140224-story.html#axzz2uMohA5cD. November 15, 2018. live.
  6. News: Ragged. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. May 3, 1901. 10.
  7. News: Boosters Open Season by Beating Champions. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 11, 1907. 11.
  8. News: Volunteers Will Meet the Barons. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. May 4, 1908. 6.
  9. News: Williams. F. M.. Lookouts Clip. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 9, 1961. 50.
  10. News: Williams. F. M.. Vol Bats Choke Smokies, 8-4. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessee. Nashville. April 20, 1963. 13.
  11. Web site: The 1899 Philadelphia Phillies Regular Season Game Log. Retrosheet. December 31, 2023.
  12. Web site: New York Giants vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score: April 14, 1908. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  13. Web site: Brooklyn Superbas vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score: April 14, 1910. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  14. Web site: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 14, 1915. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  15. Web site: Boston Braves vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: April 12, 1932. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  16. Web site: Philadelphia Athletics vs New York Yankees Box Score: April 12, 1927. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  17. Web site: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 16, 1935. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  18. Web site: St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 16, 1929. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  19. Web site: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 15, 1930. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  20. Web site: Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score: April 20, 1948. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  21. Web site: Baltimore Orioles vs Washington Senators Box Score: April 9, 1959. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. December 31, 2023.
  22. News: Battles on Diamond. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. May 3, 1901. 6.
  23. News: First for Fisher. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 28, 1903. 7.
  24. News: Nashville Shut Out. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 22, 1904. 7.
  25. News: Atlanta Wins First. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 20, 1905. 7.
  26. News: Southern League Season Opens. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 12, 1906. 7.
  27. News: Opening Game for Nashville. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 11, 1907. 7.
  28. News: Moran. Robert. Champs Take Opening Game. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 17, 1908. 8.
  29. News: Flag Flies Down in the Dell. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 16, 1909. 6.
  30. News: First Down for Nashville. Newspapers.com. The Nashville American. Nashville. April 16, 1910. 6.
  31. News: Memphians Put One Away. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 16, 1911. 16.
  32. News: Bair Wins the Opening Game for Nashville—Dozen Rounds. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 10, 1912. 12.
  33. News: Home Runs are Vols' Undoing. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 12, 1913. 7.
  34. News: Brown. Innis. Vols Lose Opener to Crackers by Close Score. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 16, 1914. 8.
  35. News: Horn. Blinkey. Hitting of Dodge, Paulette and Baker Gives Vols Opener. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 14, 1915. 12.
  36. News: Horn. Blinkey. Martina Invincible and Vols Blanked in Opener, 3-0. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 15, 1916. 10.
  37. News: Horn. Blinkey. Crippled Vols Stage Onslaught On Barons in Opening Fray. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 13, 1917. 17.
  38. News: Ray. J. L.. Vols Win the Opening Fray. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 19, 1918. 10.
  39. News: Crowd of 10,500 See Vols Beat Barons in Opening Fray, 7 to 5. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 25, 1919. 18.
  40. News: Jinx Battle Won by Vols from Barons in Opener. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 15, 1920. 11.
  41. News: Newman. Zipp. Ten Thousand See Vols Lose Thrilling Contest. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 14, 1921. 10.
  42. News: Newman. Zipp. Statham Weakens and Vols Win in Ninth 6-5. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 13, 1922. 2.
  43. News: Horn. Blinkey. McQuillan, in Rare Form, Allows 2 Hits; Cuyler's Bat and Glove Big Factors. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 18, 1923. 10.
  44. News: Horn. Blinkey. Vols Break Into Win Column as They Oust Niehaus Jinx and Win. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 17, 1924. 10.
  45. News: Horn. Blinkey. Baron Castoffs Figure Prominently as Vols Take Opening Game of Season. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 15, 1925. 10.
  46. News: McGill. Ralph. Axel Lindstrom and Young Idea Star in Cracker Defeat. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 14, 1926. 14.
  47. News: Horn. Blinkey. Civic Clubs Fill Vols' New Park with 7,535 Cash Customers but Crackers Fill it With Woe for Hamilton. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 13, 1927. 9.
  48. News: Horn. Blinkey. Close to 7,000 Frigid Fans Watch Vols Get Hot in Box, in Field and at Bat. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 11, 1928. 10.
  49. News: Horn. Blinkey. Jiggy Black and Jack Farmer, Former Vols, Help Give Hasty Big Sendoff. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 17, 1929. 11.
  50. News: Russell. Freddie. Vols Lose Opener to Barons, 9 to 7. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 16, 1930. 10.
  51. News: Horn. Blinkey. Clay Touchstone is Too Much for Klugman's Clan. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 15, 1931. 6.
  52. News: Horn. Blinkey. Gilchrist's Bat is Big Factor in 6 to 3 Triumph. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 13, 1932. 10.
  53. News: Anderson. Tom. Weather Causes Curtailment of Opening Day Festivities. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 12, 1933. 10.
  54. News: Russell. Freddie. Vols' Victory a Demonstration of Mound Strength. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 18, 1934. 15.
  55. News: Russell. Freddie. Holsclaw Hurls for Shirleymen in Chattanooga. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 17, 1935. 14.
  56. News: Russell. Freddie. Smokies Unable to Score Until Spree in Sixth. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 12, 1936. 8.
  57. News: Horn. Blinkey. Emil Leonard Knuckleball Proves Deadly. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 17, 1937. 6.
  58. News: Russell. Fred. Dressen Orders Three-Hour Drill for Vols Today. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 15, 1938. 22.
  59. News: Johnson. Raymond. Hockett, Rocco Smack Homers in Cold Opener. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 13, 1940. 6.
  60. News: Johnson. Raymond. 'Noogans Tally Deciding Runs on One Bingle. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 11, 1941. 35.
  61. News: Johnson. Raymond. Tamulis Cops Opener Although Hit for 16. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 11, 1942. 6.
  62. News: Johnson. Raymond. Hamrick's Double Big Blow in 4th Uprising. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 25, 1943. 41.
  63. News: Russell. Fred. Clearly Shuts Out Dellers on 7 Blows. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 29, 1944. 5.
  64. News: Johnson. Raymond. Local Gang Connects for 16 Hits in Opener. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 16, 1946. 6.
  65. News: Johnson. Raymond. 'Nooga Cops Nightcap 5 to 4 Before 13,896. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 14, 1947. 10.
  66. News: Johnson. Raymond. Gilbert, Grantham Pop HRs; Boguskie Stars. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 17, 1948. 7.
  67. News: Leonard. George K.. Vet Pitchers Drop Opener While Rookies Sparkle Afield, At Bat. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 16, 1949. 16.
  68. News: Leonard. George K.. Lookouts Remain for Pair Sunday—Forecast Warmer. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 15, 1950. 8.
  69. News: Witt. Bob. Pete Mallory Faces Ex-Vol Dutch McCall. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 14, 1951. 8.
  70. News: Williams. F. M.. Waiting Dell Tense. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 13, 1952. 21.
  71. News: Williams. F. M.. Harshman, Lennon, Golich Spark Poland's Club to 1st Triumph. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 11, 1953. 13.
  72. News: Williams. F. M.. 5,705 Watch Trav Triumph. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 10, 1954. 12.
  73. News: Williams. F. M.. Error Scores Winning Run in 5 to 4 Opener. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 8, 1955. 51.
  74. News: Williams. F. M.. Vols Smack. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 11, 1956. 23.
  75. News: Williams. F. M.. Nashvols Win Opener, 5 to 2. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 13, 1957. 9.
  76. News: Williams. F. M.. Night Uprising Gives Nashvols Split. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 12, 1958. 9.
  77. News: Given. Ed. Mobile's Meeks Hits Safely in Opener 1st Time in 14 Seasons. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 11, 1959. 10.
  78. News: Williams. F. M.. Vol Power Sinks. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. April 17, 1960. 30.
  79. News: Leonard. George. Vols Show Encouraging Hitting in Opener. Newspapers.com. The Nashville Banner. Nashville. April 20, 1963. 11.

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