Philadelphia Phillies: Top 10 Opening Days of the Last 40 Seasons
April 4, 2012 by Mark Swindell
Filed under Fan News
The Philadelphia Phillies have not been a very good team on opening day in recent history. Since 1972, the Phillies are 13-27 to start the season. That’s an awful .325 winning percentage that would equate to a full season record of 53-109.
Hall of Famer Steve Carlton was just as bad on opening day. In his 14 opening day starts, Lefty went 3-9 and the Phils were 4-10 in those games. He was defeated by a couple other Hall of Famers like Fergie Jenkins and Tom Seaver while also being out dueled by future Phillie Cy Young Award winner John Denny.
Mike Schmidt hit four opening day dingers during that span.
During the last 40 years, the Phillies have opened up the season vs the Mets and Braves the most, at seven times each. Tomorrow will be the fourth time since 1972 the Phillies will open up with the Pirates.
The following list is the top 10 opening days for the Phillies over the last 40 years.