The 2024 season is upon us. It’s been a long time coming since the Rangers triumphed over the Diamondbacks last October. While this year may not be one to remember for the White Sox, there is still something special about Opening Day.
Here are some fun numbers and moments from other White Sox 21st-century openers to get you primed for the start of the season.
Numbers
12
Since 2000, the White Sox have been an even .500 in their first game of the season, amassing 12 wins and 12 losses. For home openers specifically, they have fared quite a bit better, with a 16-8 record.
9
The most Opening Day starts for a White Sox pitcher since the beginning of the millennium is held by Mark Buehrle with nine. He was given all but one of the Opening Day nods from 2002-2011, as Jose Contreras was given the ball to start the 2007 season.
7
Kansas City and Cleveland have overwhelmingly been the most common opponents for the White Sox since 2000, each facing off against the South Siders seven times. The only other teams the White Sox have faced multiple times to start the season are Texas, Minnesota, and Detroit, with two instances for each.
13
The most consecutive Opening Day starts by a player since 2000 is held by Paul Konerko, who started every season at first base from 2001-2013. His successor Jose Abreu holds the second-longest consecutive streak with nine from 2014-2022.
Highlights
2010 – Mark Buehrle
You cannot talk about Opening Day highlights without talking about Mark Buehrle.
In the fifth inning of the 2010 opener, a chopper bounced off Buehrle’s foot and rolled into foul territory on the first base side. Buehrle somehow chased it down and flipped the ball between his legs to record the out at first. It remains one of those plays that is always rewatchable online and on social media.
2018 – Matt Davidson
The 2018 season proved to be not so fun, as the team recorded 100 losses. However, the opener that season was certainly memorable. This was the Matt Davidson game, where he smashed three home runs off three different Royals pitchers. It would start a year of dominance against the Royals for Davidson, who had two more multi-home run games at Kauffman Stadium by the end of April. The five RBIs helped lead the White Sox to a 14-7 win.
2014 – Alejandro De Aza
The White Sox relied on power from an unlikely source to win their 2014 opener. Alejandro De Aza recorded two home runs for three RBIs to start the season against Minnesota. Only once in his career did De Aza finish with double-digit home runs in a season.
The Opening Day home runs accounted for a quarter of all homers he hit in the entire 2014 season. The White Sox were grateful for this surprise power to start their season, winning 5-3 over the Twins.
2013 – Chris Sale and Tyler Flowers
I am partial to this game because it was the first Opening Day game I ever attended. It was Chris Sale’s first Opening Day start, and he did not disappoint, pitching 7.2 innings and not giving up a run. Tyler Flowers was the other hero of the day, blasting a home run off of James Shields to plate the only run scored in the game, as the White Sox blanked the Royals 1-0 to start 2013.
This season is likely to be disappointing for White Sox fans, but Opening Day is still a day to be celebrated. And, if the past is any indication, we may be in store for a wild moment or unlikely hero against the Tigers today.
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Featured Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
