2018 Opening Day: Molina milestones and a sterling Severino
By César Augusto Márquez
A spry 35, Yadier Molina is still shaping his legacy with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Team Rubio catcher — and manager of Puerto Rico’s U-23 National Team — made his 14th consecutive Opening Day start, the third-longest streak in franchise history. Stan Musial (18 straight from 1946 to 1963) and Lou Brock (15 from 1965 to 1979) are the only Cardinals to outdo Yadi on that mark.
Molina celebrated his milestone by connecting on his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the second inning against the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard. Molina now has four Opening Day home runs, tying the team record held by Albert Pujols.
While Yadi stole the show, Syndergaard struck out 10 over 6.0 innings and the Mets easily won, 9-4.
‘I believe in mine’
Houston Astros second baseman José Altuve knows that 2017 is finally in the past and that he must prove himself all over again. Which is why he posted a motivational message on his Instagram account.
“In the name of God, I believe in mine,” he said, a clear reference to family, friends and teammates.
While he went hitless in two at-bats, Altuve drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and the Astros successfully began the defense of their world championship on Thursday with a 4-1 win over the Texas Rangers.
Pumped-up Sevy
Anointed the Yankees ace by new manager Aaron Boone, Luis Severino answered the call by throwing one-hit ball over 5.2 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dominican righty, who struck out seven and walked three, happily shared his thoughts after his first win of the season.
“Great team win today. Excited about this team and Yankees fans should be excited too,” Severino said on Instagram.
Giancarlo Stanton also shined with two home runs, a double and four RBI in his first official game in pinstripes, propelling the Bronx Bombers to a 6-1 victory.
Farewell, Rusty
The Mets played their opener with a heavy heart after hearing about the passing of team icon and six-time All-Star Rusty Staub early Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. Staub was 73.
Staub is the only player in history to collect at least 500 hits with four different franchises — Houston, Montreal, Mets and Detroit. Over 23 seasons, he compiled 2,716 hits and 292 home runs.
But Staub was known and appreciated for much more than his numbers. In Montreal, he was called Le Grand Orange for his bright red hair. He was a connoisseur of fine foods and wines. And a generous philanthropist. His Rusty Staub Foundation, which established the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund in 1985, was instrumental in supporting the families affected by 9/11.
Farewell, Rusty!
parties everywhere
Opening Day represents not only the start of a new season, but a party for the fans of the 30 MLB franchises. Thousands of spectators took to stadiums across the country to show support for their favorite teams.
In Seattle, the Mariners set a Safeco Field record with 47,149 fans who got to see Félix Hernández start his 10th straight Opening Day and Edwin “Sugar” Díaz save a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians. It was truly a team effort: DH Nelson Cruz blasted a two-run home run in the first inning. Hernández allowed two hits over 5.1 innings. And Díaz struck out the side in the ninth to preserve King Félix’s seventh Opening Day victory of his career.
Elsewhere, big U.S. flags covered the outfield in a few stadiums, including Globe Life Park in Arlington, where the Rangers were gracious hosts to the defending World Series champions, the Houston Astros; as well as Dodger Stadium, where left-hander Clayton Kershaw faced off against L.A.’s arch-rival, the San Francisco Giants.
LVB at the Digiday Awards
La Vida Baseball attended the Digiday Publishing Awards ceremony in New York City on Thursday evening, nominated as one of five finalists for Best New Vertical/Brand. Representing the team were TeamWorks Media CEO Jay Sharman, Editor-in-Chief Adrian Burgos Jr. and Executive Editor Clemson Smith Muñiz. Our congratulations to the winner in the category — Derek Jeter’s The Players Tribune.
Featured Image: Los Angeles Dodgers Instagram