[EagleFan]

1976-1985 - April 1: Opening Day

76 Indians vs. 85 Blue Jays
- A tight pitcher's duel that went into the 9th inning tied 2-2. In the top of the 9th LF Rico Carty takes Blue Jays closer Tom Henke deep for a solo homerun to give the Indians a 3-2 lead and Indians' closer Dave Laroche closes the door for a 3-2 victory with Dennis Eckersley getting the win and striking out 13 in his 8 innings of work.

79 Orioles vs. 84 Tigers
- The Tigers win easily 9-4 behind a 5 RBI performance by LF Larry Herndon. Milt Wilcox gets the win as the starter going 6.0 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned). Mike Flanagan was hammered and allowed 8 runs (7 earned) in just 3.2 innings of work.

82 Brewers vs. 80 Yankees
- Don Sutton allowed only 1 run on 2 hits in 8 innings of work as the Brewers win 3-1. The Yankees only run was from a solo homerun by Willie Randolph in the bottom of the 7th to get them to within 3-1. Sutton and closer Rollie Fingers shut the door on the Yankees the rest of the way.

77 Rangers vs. 77 Royals
- Gaylord Perry was pitching well for the Rangers as was Dennis Leonard for the Royals as the Rangers led 1-0 in the bottom of the 8th. With 2 outs and 2 men on in the bottom of the 8th Pete LaCock pinch hits for Frank White and takes Perry deep for a 3 run homerun to give the Royals a 3-1 lead. Mark Littell closes the door on the Rangers as the Royals win 3-1.

83 White Sox vs. 76 Twins
- Frank Bannister was cruising along with a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the 6th when he ran into trouble. The Twins put up 4 runs in the inning, capped by a 3 run homerun by RF Dan Ford to take a 4-2 lead and chasing Bannister from the game. They would add a run in the bottom of the 8th for the 5-2 victory. Bert Blyleven gets the win allowing 2 runs on just 2 hits in 8.0 innings of work.

82 Mariners vs. 76 A's
- Jim Beattie and Vida Blue squared off in a duel that was scoreless entering the 9th inning. In the top of the 9th DH Richie Zisk would double off Blue scoring 2B Julio Cruz who led the inning off with a double to take the 1-0 lead. Bill Caudil would close the game out for the 1-0 victory for the Mariners.

78 Red Sox vs. 82 Angels
- Dennis Eckersley would get two victories on opening day in this league, this one for his 78 Red Sox version as he shut down the Angels in a 5-0 victory. He allowed only 4 hits over 8.0 innings of play. Mike Witt would get the loss allowing 4 runs on 8 hits in 5.2 innings of work. Fred Lynn would homer for the Red Sox and Carlton Fisk would add 3 hits. Red Sox 1B George C Scott would have one of the worst games of the day as he was 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts.


82 Braves vs. 84 Cubs
- The Cubs would jump to an 8-1 lead with 5 runs in the bottom of the 5th as they chase Phil Niekro (4.2 IP, 7 R). The Braves add a run in the top of the 6th to make it 8-2. A three run 7th gets the Braves back to within 8-5 but the Cubs get 1 run back in the bottom of the 7th to make it 9-5. A three run homerun by 2B Glenn Hubbard in the top of the 8th makes it a game at 9-8. Lee Smith comes on in the 9th and shuts the door for the 9-8 victory for the Cubs. Rick Sutcliiffe get the win, though allowed 5 runs in 6.1 innings of work.

77 Phillies vs. 76 Reds
- A three run top of the 7th would give the Phillies a 4-0 lead. The Reds would come back with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the 7th to get to within 4-3. The game would remain 4-3 into the 9th. With Gene Garber on the mound in the bottom of the 9th Pete Rose would hit a solo homerun with 1 out to tie the game at 4-4 which is how the game would remain and go into extra innings. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 10th Dave Concepcion would double and pinch hitter Bob Bailey would single to score him for a 5-4 victory for the Reds.

85 Cardinals vs. 85 Mets
- Dwight Gooden would be the star as he would go 7.0 innings and not allow a run, giving up just 4 hits and striking out 12 as the Mets blank the Cardinals 2-0. John Tudor would get the loss, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits in 7.0 innings.

79 Pirates vs. 77 Dodgers
- The Dodgers would win this one easily 8-4 as Dusty Baker, Steve Garvey and Reggie Smith would all homer. Burt Hooten gets the win, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits in 8.0 innings. Bruce Kison got hammers in the loss, allowing 6 runs in just 4.2 innings.

80 Astros vs. 84 Padres
- The Astros would score 11 runs on 16 hits (both daily highs for the league) in an easy 11-3 victory. Nolan Ryan gets the win, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits in 6.0 innings with 9 strikeouts. Ed Whitson takes the loss, not lasting 5 innings.

79 Expos vs. 78 Giants
- The Giants win easily 7-3 (with 2 of the Expos' 3 runs coming in the 9th). Vida Blue get the win as he allowed 2 runs on 7 hits in 8.1 innings. Scott Sanderson takes the loss, allowing 5 runs in just 2.2 innings.