List of Oakland Athletics Opening Day starting pitchers explained

The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California. They play 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.[1] 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,[2] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[3] Since their arrival in Oakland, the A's home field has been 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, Present), Network Associates Coliseum (1998–2004) and McAfee Coliseum (2004–2008).[4] [5] [6] 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.[7]

In Oakland, the A's have used 32 different Opening Day starting pitchers in their 52 seasons. The 32 starters have a combined Opening Day record of 16 wins, 19 losses and 17 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 17 no decisions, the A's went on to win seven and lose ten of those games, for a team record on Opening Day of 23 wins and 29 losses.[8]

Since it moved to Oakland, the team has played 36 of their Opening Day games at home: 33 at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, 3 in Tokyo, and once in Las Vegas. Of the 33 games played in Oakland, the A's starting pitchers have a record of 12 wins, 9 losses and 12 no decisions (the team won seven and lost six 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 - 11 (with 14 no decisions).[8]

The A's have advanced to the playoffs 18 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 18 seasons that the A's advanced to the playoffs, the team's Opening Day starting pitchers have had a record of eight wins, four losses and six no decisions; the team ultimately won three 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.[8]

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.[8]

Key

SeasonEach year is linked to an article about that particular Athletics season.
WWin
LLoss
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
LocationStadium 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

SeasonPitcherDecisionFinal
score		OpponentLocationAttendanceRef.
1968LBaltimore OriolesMemorial Stadium22,050[9]
1969WChicago White SoxOakland–Alameda County Coliseum23,610[10]
1970 (2)WKansas City RoyalsMunicipal Stadium18,127[11]
1971LWashington SenatorsRobert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium45,061[12]
1972ND (W)Minnesota TwinsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum9,912[13]
1973 (2)LMinnesota TwinsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum38,207[14]
1974 (3)WOakland AthleticsArlington Stadium21,907[15]
1975 (2)WChicago White SoxOakland–Alameda County Coliseum17,477[16]
1976WCalifornia AngelsAngel Stadium30,194[17]
1977 (2)WMinnesota TwinsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum12,562[18]
1978LCalifornia AngelsAngel Stadium28,194[19]
1979 (2)LMinnesota TwinsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum10,387[20]
1980 (3)ND (L)Minnesota TwinsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum33,196[21]
1981WMinnesota TwinsMetropolitan Stadium42,658[22]
1982 (4)ND (W) (11)California AngelsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum51,513[23]
1983 (5)LCleveland IndiansOakland–Alameda County Coliseum34,831[24]
1984ND (W)Milwaukee BrewersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum45,398[25]
1985LSeattle MarinersKingdome37,161[26]
1986 (2)LCleveland IndiansOakland–Alameda County Coliseum44,726[27]
1987ND (L)Minnesota TwinsHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome43,548[28]
1988WSeattle MarinersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum45,333[29]
1989 (2)WSeattle MarinersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum46,163[30]
1990 (3)WMinnesota TwinsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum48,219[31]
1991 (4)WMinnesota TwinsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum44,373[32]
1992 (5)ND (W)Kansas City RoyalsOakland–Alameda County Coliseum44,078[33]
1993WDetroit TigersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum43,370[34]
1994ND (L)Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee County Stadium52,012[35]
1995 (6)LToronto Blue JaysSkyDome50,426[36]
1996LToronto Blue JaysCashman Field7,294[37]
1997ND (L)Toronto Blue JaysOakland–Alameda County Coliseum41,235[38]
1998LBoston Red SoxOakland–Alameda County Coliseum36,915[39]
1999LDetroit TigersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum46,650[40]
2000ND (W)New York YankeesOakland–Alameda County Coliseum46,380[41]
2001ND (L)Seattle MarinersSafeco Field45,911[42]
2002WTexas RangersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum43,908[43]
2003 (2)WSeattle MarinersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum41,723[44]
2004 (3)ND (W)Texas RangersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum45,122[45]
2005LBaltimore OriolesOriole Park at Camden Yards48,271[46]
2006 (2)LNew York YankeesOakland–Alameda County Coliseum35,077[47]
2007LSeattle MarinersSafeco Field46,003[48]
2008ND (L)Boston Red SoxTokyo Dome44,628[49]
2009LLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimAngel Stadium of Anaheim43,220[50]
2010ND (L)Seattle MarinersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum30,686[51]
2011ND (L)Seattle MarinersOakland–Alameda County Coliseum36,067[52]
2012ND (L)Seattle MarinersTokyo Dome44,227[53]
2013LSeattle MarinersO.co Coliseum36,067[54]
2014ND (L)Cleveland IndiansO.co Coliseum36,067[55]
2015 (2)WTexas RangersO.co Coliseum36,067[56]
2016LChicago White SoxOakland Coliseum35,067[57]
2017WLos Angeles AngelsOakland Coliseum36,067[58]
2018 (2)ND (W)Los Angeles AngelsOakland Coliseum27,764[59]
2019LSeattle MarinersTokyo Dome45,787[60]
2020ND (W)Los Angeles AngelsOakland ColiseumN/A[61] [62]
2021LHouston AstrosRingCentral Coliseum10,436[63]
2022 (2)LPhiladelphia PhilliesCitizens Bank Park44,232[64]
2023ND (W)Los Angeles AngelsRingCentral Coliseum26,805[65]
2024LCleveland GuardiansOakland Coliseum13,522[66]

Notes

Pitchers

Opening Day starting pitchers listed in descending order by the number of Opening Day starts for the A's in Oakland:

PitcherStartsWinsLossesNo DecisionsWinning %Seasons
6411.8001988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995
5032.0001978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983
3120.3331968, 1973, 1974
31021.0002001, 2003, 2004
22001.0001969, 1970
2110.5001971, 1975
22001.0001976, 1977
2020.0001985, 1986
2020.0002005, 2006
2101.5002014, 2015
2101.5002017, 2018
2011.0002020, 2022
1001.0001972
11001.0001981
1001.0001984
1001.0001987
11001.0001993
1001.0001994
1010.0001996
1001.0001997
1010.0001998
1010.0001999
1001.0002000
11001.0002002
1010.0002007
1001.0002008
1010.0002009
1001.0002010
1001.0002011
1001.0002012
1010.0002013
1010.0002016
1010.0002019
1010.0002021
1001.0002023
1010.0002024

Footnotes

Notes and References

  1. http://athletics.mlb.com/oak/history/year_by_year_results.jsp Oakland Athletics year-by-year results
  2. Web site: Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day. Jordan. Bastian. MLB.com. March 22, 2010. September 26, 2010.
  3. Web site: Steve. Dilbeck. Dodgers may not start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney. Los Angeles Times. February 24, 2014. February 25, 2014.
  4. http://athletics.mlb.com/oak/history/ballparks.jsp Ballparks: 1901 - Present
  5. http://athletics.mlb.com/oak/ballpark/index.jsp Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
  6. Bay City News Service. "McAfee Coliseum name reverts to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum", Contra Costa Times, September 19, 2008. Accessed October 24, 2008.
  7. 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.
  8. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/opening.shtml Oakland Athletics Opening Day Starters and Results
  9. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL196804100.shtml April 10, 1968, Athletics at Orioles Box Score and Play by Play
  10. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK196904080.shtml April 8, 1969, White Sox at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA197004070.shtml April 7, 1970, Athletics at Royals Box Score and Play by Play
  12. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WS2/WS2197104050.shtml April 5, 1971, Athletics at Senators Play by Play and Box Score
  13. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197204150.shtml April 15, 1972, Twins at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  14. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197304060.shtml April 6, 1973, Twins at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  15. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX197404040.shtml April 4, 1974, Athletics at Rangers Box Score and Play by Play
  16. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197504080.shtml April 8, 1975, White Sox at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  17. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197604090.shtml April 9, 1976, Athletics at Angels Box Score and Play by Play
  18. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197704090.shtml April 9, 1977, Twins at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  19. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197804070.shtml April 7, 1978, Athletics at Angels Box Score and Play by Play
  20. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197904060.shtml April 6, 1979, Twins at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  21. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK198004100.shtml April 10, 1980, Twins at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  22. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN198104090.shtml April 9, 1981, Athletics at Twins Play by Play and Box Score
  23. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK198204060.shtml April 6, 1982, Angels at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  24. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK198304040.shtml April 4, 1983, Indians at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  25. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK198404030.shtml April 3, 1984, Brewers at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  26. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA198504090.shtml April 9, 1985, Athletics at Mariners Play by Play and Box Score
  27. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK198604080.shtml April 8, 1986, Twins at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  28. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN198704070.shtml April 7, 1987, Athletics at Twins Play by Play and Box Score
  29. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK198804040.shtml April 4, 1988, Mariners at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  30. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK198904030.shtml April 3, 1989, Mariners at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  31. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199004090.shtml April 9, 1990, Twins at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  32. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199104090.shtml April 9, 1991, Twins at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  33. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199204060.shtml April 6, 1992, Royals at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  34. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199304050.shtml April 5, 1993, Tigers at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  35. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL199404050.shtml April 5, 1994, Athletics at Brewers Box Score and Play by Play
  36. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR199504260.shtml April 26, 1995, Athletics at Blue Jays Play by Play and Box Score
  37. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199604010.shtml April 1, 1996, Blue Jays at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  38. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199704020.shtml April 2, 1997, Indians at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  39. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199804010.shtml April 1, 1998, Red Sox at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  40. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX199904050.shtml April 5, 1999, Tigers at Rangers Play by Play and Box Score
  41. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199904050.shtml April 5, 1999, Yankees at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  42. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA200104020.shtml April 2, 2001, Athletics at Mariners Play by Play and Box Score
  43. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200204010.shtml April 1, 2002, Rangers at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  44. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200304010.shtml April 1, 2003, Mariners at Athletics Play by Play and Box Score
  45. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200404050.shtml April 5, 2004, Rangers at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  46. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL200504040.shtml April 4, 2005, Athletics at Orioles Play by Play and Box Score
  47. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200604030.shtml April 3, 2006, Yankees at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  48. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA200704020.shtml April 2, 2007, Athletics at Mariners Play by Play and Box Score
  49. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200803250.shtml March 25, 2008, Red Sox at Athletics Box Score and Play by Play
  50. Web site: LA Angels 3, Oakland 0. Yahoo!. April 7, 2009.
  51. Web site: Seattle 5, Oakland 3 . Yahoo!. April 7, 2010.
  52. Web site: Seattle 6, Oakland 2. Yahoo!. April 2, 2011.
  53. Web site: MLB.com Gameday . . March 24, 2013.
  54. Web site: Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics - April 1, 2013 . . January 1, 2015.
  55. Web site: Cleveland Indians at Oakland Athletics - March 31, 2014 . . January 1, 2015.
  56. Web site: Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics - April 6, 2015 . . April 7, 2015.
  57. Web site: CWS vs. OAK - 04/04/2016 . . April 5, 2016.
  58. Web site: Angels vs. Athletics - 04/03/2017 . . April 3, 2017.
  59. Web site: Angels vs. Athletics Box Score - 03/29/18 . . March 30, 2018.
  60. Web site: Mariners vs. Athletics Box Score - 03/20/19 . . March 25, 2019.
  61. The 2020 season was played without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  62. Web site: Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics Box Score, July 24, 2020. Baseball Reference. August 27, 2022.
  63. Web site: Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics Box Score, April 1, 2021. Baseball Reference. April 3, 2021.
  64. Web site: Oakland Athletics at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score, April 8, 2022. Baseball Reference. May 29, 2022.
  65. Web site: Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics Box Score, March 30, 2023. Baseball Reference. March 30, 2023.
  66. Web site: Cleveland Guardians at Oakland Athletics Box Score, March 28, 2024. Baseball Reference. March 28, 2024.
  67. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN196604120.shtml April 1, 1966, Athletics at Twins Box Score and Play by Play

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