<p>Hope springs eternal for the Blue Jays fan on Opening Day. Despite the doomsday scenario that happened last year, they wipe the slate clean and start at zero the following year. And considering what happened to the Blue Jays last year, having a short memory is a good thing for devout fans.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="“web-content-promocard&quot;"></div>
<p>2025 could be a make-or-break year for this team and many of their key players this season. While expectations are low compared to previous years, it feels like the Blue Jays do have enough talent on the roster this year to win plenty of ball games.</p>
<p>This marks the 49th opening day for the Toronto Blue Jays, and yet it never seems to get old. To get you ready for this momentous occasion, why not brush up on some historical statistics from past Opening Days, the best single-game performances and some other noteworthy tidbits about the season&#8217;s official kickoff?</p>
<h2>Overall Opening Day record</h2>
<p>Overall, the <strong>Blue Jays are 26-22 on Opening Day</strong>, both at home and on the road. After riding an 8-year losing streak at home from 2012 to 2019, the Blue Jays technically missed their next two home openers due to the pandemic and are now riding a five-year winning streak during their Home Openers.</p>
<p>The Jays ended their losing streak with a miraculous 10-8 comeback against the Texas Rangers on April 8th, 2022. Yes, this was the game when José Berríos didn&#8217;t escape the first inning, giving up four earned runs and recording one out. Toronto was down 0-7, but they erased that seven-run deficit and clawed back in dramatic fashion to win 10-8.</p>
<h2><strong>Most runs scored on Opening Day</strong></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-84062" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-26-235719.png" alt="" width="656" height="92" srcset="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-26-235719.png 656w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-26-235719-300x42.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 656px) 100vw, 656px" /></p>
<p>The Blue Jays had two Opening Day contests when they scored 13 runs, a <strong>13-1</strong> drubbing against the Oakland Athletics in 1995 and a <strong>13-3</strong> whipping of the Minnesota Twins in 2011.</p>
<h2>The longest Opening Day game &#8230; ever</h2>
<p>Shoutout to Secret Base, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8Ru_9D-XRA">who recently highlighted Opening Day 2012</a> between the Cleveland Guardians and the Blue Jays, a 16-inning affair which took <strong>five hours and 14 minutes</strong> to play. J.P. Arencibia was o for 6 in the game until he delivered a three-run home run in the top of the 16th to send everybody home.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, for Arencibia, he had home runs in three consecutive Opening Day games for the Blue Jays from 2010 to 2012. In 2010 and 2011, he had two home runs apiece in both those games.</p>
<h2>Blue Jays Opening Day offensive heroes</h2>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="TOR@KC: George Bell&#039;s three homers on Opening Day" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zj4nYspy_LQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>When it comes to Opening Day performances in Blue Jays franchise history, nobody can top <strong>George Bell</strong>&#8216;s three home run game on April 4, 1988. It might also be one of the single greatest &#8220;eff you&#8221; performances by a Blue Jay, as manager Jimy Williams started Bell at designated hitter to start the season.</p>
<p>Bell didn&#8217;t agree with the decision, saying: &#8220;If they want to win, they&#8217;ll play me in left field. If they want to lose, they&#8217;ll play me at DH. And everybody knows I&#8217;m a winner, not a loser.&#8221; After starting a handful of games at DH to start the 1988 season, he shifted back into left field by mid-April.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="2009/04/06 Lind drives in six runs" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XQlJUi0V-vI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p><strong>Adam Lind</strong>&#8216;s 6 RBI Opening Day game from 2009 against the Detroit Tigers was another noteworthy performance. The Blue Jays lit up veteran Justin Verlander for eight earned runs and chased him out of the game by the fourth inning. Lind went 4 for 5 with a home run and three singles.</p>
<p>Yes, that was the same Blue Jays Home Opener when Jim Leyland pulled his Tigers team off the field because fans were throwing paper airplanes, golf balls and baseballs onto the field. There was eight-minute delay of the game while stadium staff cleaned up the mess.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="George Springer Goes 5-for-6 on MLB Opening Day 2023" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uJxCfFqddfc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>The most hits on Opening Day title belongs to <strong>George Springer</strong>, who collected five hits en route to the Blue Jays&#8217; narrow 10-9 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on April 30, 2023. The Blue Jays collectively also had 19 hits &#8211; the most of any Opening Day game in franchise history &#8211; with 16 singles and three doubles and no home runs or triples.</p>
<h2>Opening Day noteworthy pitching performances</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-84037" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Jack-Morris-Opening-Day-1024x67.png" alt="" width="1024" height="67" srcset="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Jack-Morris-Opening-Day-1024x67.png 1024w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Jack-Morris-Opening-Day-300x20.png 300w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Jack-Morris-Opening-Day-768x50.png 768w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Jack-Morris-Opening-Day.png 1061w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>First off, props to <strong>Jack Morris</strong>, who pitched a complete game on Opening Day 1992 for the Blue Jays against the Detroit Tigers. He went the distance and struck out seven batters in the only Opening Day complete game for the Blue Jays, ever.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-84038" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Roy-Halladay-Opening-Day-1024x67.png" alt="" width="1024" height="67" srcset="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Roy-Halladay-Opening-Day-1024x67.png 1024w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Roy-Halladay-Opening-Day-300x20.png 300w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Roy-Halladay-Opening-Day-768x50.png 768w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Roy-Halladay-Opening-Day.png 1070w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>For the most strikeouts by a Blue Jays starting pitcher on Opening Day, look no further than the GOAT, <strong>Roy Halladay</strong>. His Opening Day performance from April 5, 2004, was uncharacteristically shaky by Doc, considering he gave up 10 hits and six earned runs, but he also struck out nine batters in that game.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-84039" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/R.A.-Dickey-Opening-Day-1024x68.png" alt="" width="1024" height="68" srcset="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/R.A.-Dickey-Opening-Day-1024x68.png 1024w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/R.A.-Dickey-Opening-Day-300x20.png 300w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/R.A.-Dickey-Opening-Day-768x51.png 768w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/R.A.-Dickey-Opening-Day.png 1067w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>One dubious record set by <strong>R.A. Dickey</strong> was his six walks surrendered on Opening Day 2014, March 31, 2014, against the Detroit Tigers. Opening Day starts were never especially kind to Dickey, and he could not find the strike zone for the life of him in this game.</p>
<h2>The most Opening Day nods for starting pitchers</h2>
<table style="width: 448px" width="302">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center" width="109"><strong>Player</strong></td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center" width="129"><strong>Opening Day Starts</strong></td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center" width="64"><strong>Years</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center">Roy Halladay</td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center">7</td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center">2003-2009</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center">Dave Stieb</td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center">1983, 1985-1986, 1991</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center">Jimmy Key</td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center">3</td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center">1987-1989</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center">Jose Berrios</td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center">3</td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center">2022, 2024-2025</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Taking the ball on Opening Day is a prestigious distinction for starting pitchers, and getting to be the first guy out of the gate is always a special honour. The Blue Jays have used 26 different Opening Day starting pitchers, with <strong>Roy Halladay</strong> starting seven, Dave Stieb starting four, and Jimmy Key and Jose Berrios now starting three.</p>
<h2>The most Opening Day starts by position players</h2>
<table style="width: 482px;height: 231px" width="302">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 48px"><strong>Player</strong></td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 48px"><strong>Opening Day Starts</strong></td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 48px"><strong>Position</strong></td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 48px"><strong>Years</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Ernie Whitt</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">9</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Catcher</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">1980-1984, 1986-1989</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Vernon Wells</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">9</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Centre Field</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">2002-2009</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Lloyd Moseby</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">8</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Centre Field</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">1981-1987, 1989</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Jesse Barfield</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">8</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Right Field</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">1982-1989</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Alex Gonzalez</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">8</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Shortstop</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">1994-2001</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Jose Bautista</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">8</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Right Field</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">2010-2017</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>I would never have guessed this without <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/opening.shtml">checking Baseball Reference first</a>, but <strong>Ernie Whitt</strong> and <strong>Vernon Wells</strong> lead all Blue Jays players with nine Opening Day starts under their belts. After them, it&#8217;s Lloyd Moseby, Jesse Barfield, Alex Gonzalez and Jose Bautista all tied with eight Opening starts over their Blue Jays careers.</p>
<hr />
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Hope springs eternal for the Blue Jays fan on Opening Day. Despite the doomsday scenario that happened last year, they wipe the slate clean and start at zero the following year. And considering what happened to the Blue Jays last year, having a short memory is a good thing for devout fans.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="“web-content-promocard&quot;"></div>
2025 could be a make-or-break year for this team and many of their key players this season. While expectations are low compared to previous years, it feels like the Blue Jays do have enough talent on the roster this year to win plenty of ball games.

This marks the 49th opening day for the Toronto Blue Jays, and yet it never seems to get old. To get you ready for this momentous occasion, why not brush up on some historical statistics from past Opening Days, the best single-game performances and some other noteworthy tidbits about the season's official kickoff?
<h2>Overall Opening Day record</h2>
Overall, the <strong>Blue Jays are 26-22 on Opening Day</strong>, both at home and on the road. After riding an 8-year losing streak at home from 2012 to 2019, the Blue Jays technically missed their next two home openers due to the pandemic and are now riding a five-year winning streak during their Home Openers.

The Jays ended their losing streak with a miraculous 10-8 comeback against the Texas Rangers on April 8th, 2022. Yes, this was the game when José Berríos didn't escape the first inning, giving up four earned runs and recording one out. Toronto was down 0-7, but they erased that seven-run deficit and clawed back in dramatic fashion to win 10-8.
<h2><strong>Most runs scored on Opening Day</strong></h2>
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-84062" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-26-235719.png" alt="" width="656" height="92" />

The Blue Jays had two Opening Day contests when they scored 13 runs, a <strong>13-1</strong> drubbing against the Oakland Athletics in 1995 and a <strong>13-3</strong> whipping of the Minnesota Twins in 2011.
<h2>The longest Opening Day game ... ever</h2>
Shoutout to Secret Base, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8Ru_9D-XRA">who recently highlighted Opening Day 2012</a> between the Cleveland Guardians and the Blue Jays, a 16-inning affair which took <strong>five hours and 14 minutes</strong> to play. J.P. Arencibia was o for 6 in the game until he delivered a three-run home run in the top of the 16th to send everybody home.

Interestingly enough, for Arencibia, he had home runs in three consecutive Opening Day games for the Blue Jays from 2010 to 2012. In 2010 and 2011, he had two home runs apiece in both those games.
<h2>Blue Jays Opening Day offensive heroes</h2>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj4nYspy_LQ

When it comes to Opening Day performances in Blue Jays franchise history, nobody can top <strong>George Bell</strong>'s three home run game on April 4, 1988. It might also be one of the single greatest "eff you" performances by a Blue Jay, as manager Jimy Williams started Bell at designated hitter to start the season.

Bell didn't agree with the decision, saying: "If they want to win, they'll play me in left field. If they want to lose, they'll play me at DH. And everybody knows I'm a winner, not a loser." After starting a handful of games at DH to start the 1988 season, he shifted back into left field by mid-April.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQlJUi0V-vI

<strong>Adam Lind</strong>'s 6 RBI Opening Day game from 2009 against the Detroit Tigers was another noteworthy performance. The Blue Jays lit up veteran Justin Verlander for eight earned runs and chased him out of the game by the fourth inning. Lind went 4 for 5 with a home run and three singles.

Yes, that was the same Blue Jays Home Opener when Jim Leyland pulled his Tigers team off the field because fans were throwing paper airplanes, golf balls and baseballs onto the field. There was eight-minute delay of the game while stadium staff cleaned up the mess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJxCfFqddfc

The most hits on Opening Day title belongs to <strong>George Springer</strong>, who collected five hits en route to the Blue Jays' narrow 10-9 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on April 30, 2023. The Blue Jays collectively also had 19 hits - the most of any Opening Day game in franchise history - with 16 singles and three doubles and no home runs or triples.
<h2>Opening Day noteworthy pitching performances</h2>
<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-84037" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Jack-Morris-Opening-Day-1024x67.png" alt="" width="1024" height="67" />

First off, props to <strong>Jack Morris</strong>, who pitched a complete game on Opening Day 1992 for the Blue Jays against the Detroit Tigers. He went the distance and struck out seven batters in the only Opening Day complete game for the Blue Jays, ever.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-84038" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/Roy-Halladay-Opening-Day-1024x67.png" alt="" width="1024" height="67" />

For the most strikeouts by a Blue Jays starting pitcher on Opening Day, look no further than the GOAT, <strong>Roy Halladay</strong>. His Opening Day performance from April 5, 2004, was uncharacteristically shaky by Doc, considering he gave up 10 hits and six earned runs, but he also struck out nine batters in that game.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-84039" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/R.A.-Dickey-Opening-Day-1024x68.png" alt="" width="1024" height="68" />

One dubious record set by <strong>R.A. Dickey</strong> was his six walks surrendered on Opening Day 2014, March 31, 2014, against the Detroit Tigers. Opening Day starts were never especially kind to Dickey, and he could not find the strike zone for the life of him in this game.
<h2>The most Opening Day nods for starting pitchers</h2>
<table style="width: 448px" width="302">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center" width="109"><strong>Player</strong></td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center" width="129"><strong>Opening Day Starts</strong></td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center" width="64"><strong>Years</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center">Roy Halladay</td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center">7</td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center">2003-2009</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center">Dave Stieb</td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center">1983, 1985-1986, 1991</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center">Jimmy Key</td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center">3</td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center">1987-1989</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 106px;text-align: center">Jose Berrios</td>
<td style="width: 173px;text-align: center">3</td>
<td style="width: 169px;text-align: center">2022, 2024-2025</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Taking the ball on Opening Day is a prestigious distinction for starting pitchers, and getting to be the first guy out of the gate is always a special honour. The Blue Jays have used 26 different Opening Day starting pitchers, with <strong>Roy Halladay</strong> starting seven, Dave Stieb starting four, and Jimmy Key and Jose Berrios now starting three.
<h2>The most Opening Day starts by position players</h2>
<table style="width: 482px;height: 231px" width="302">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 48px"><strong>Player</strong></td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 48px"><strong>Opening Day Starts</strong></td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 48px"><strong>Position</strong></td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 48px"><strong>Years</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Ernie Whitt</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">9</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Catcher</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">1980-1984, 1986-1989</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Vernon Wells</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">9</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Centre Field</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">2002-2009</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Lloyd Moseby</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">8</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Centre Field</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">1981-1987, 1989</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Jesse Barfield</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">8</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Right Field</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">1982-1989</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Alex Gonzalez</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">8</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Shortstop</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">1994-2001</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 105px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Jose Bautista</td>
<td style="width: 164px;text-align: center;height: 24px">8</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">Right Field</td>
<td style="width: 194px;text-align: center;height: 24px">2010-2017</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
I would never have guessed this without <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/opening.shtml">checking Baseball Reference first</a>, but <strong>Ernie Whitt</strong> and <strong>Vernon Wells</strong> lead all Blue Jays players with nine Opening Day starts under their belts. After them, it's Lloyd Moseby, Jesse Barfield, Alex Gonzalez and Jose Bautista all tied with eight Opening starts over their Blue Jays careers.

<hr />

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Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day: Historical records, heroes and stats

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