The anticipation leading up to Opening Day of the MLB season is nothing short of intoxicating; from the day pitchers and catchers report to the first Spring Training game all the way to the first game of the season, a feeling of euphoria cascades over baseball fans.
As we eagerly await the first pitch of the season, the roar of the crowd, the first crack of the bat, we watch our team enter the season with a clean slate. Soon enough we will be able to enter through the gates of Comerica Park grab a beer and hot dog and watch our Detroit Tigers take on the 2024 season. But while we patiently wait for AJ Hinch to name this season’s Opening Day starter and the festivities of the event, let’s look at the five pitchers who have taken the mound for the Tigers on Opening Day the most:
5. Hal Newhouser
Starts: 6 (1945-49, 1951)
Record: 4-2
Innings Pitched: 51.0
ERA: 1.41
Strikeouts: 30
Walks: 12
Hal Newhouser was a dominant force for Detroit on Opening Day, consistently delivery strong performances, including 5 complete games. Newhouser’s low ERA paired with an impressive 2.5:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio made him an excellent choice to toe the mound during his days wearing the Old English D.
4. Mickey Lolich
Starts: 7 (1965-66, 1970-74)
Record: 5-2
Innings Pitched: 58.0
ERA: 1.55
Strikeouts: 50
Walks: 20
Mickey Lolich’s left-handedness was baffling to opposing pitchers. His ability to keep runs to a minimum, never allowing more than 2 earned runs during an Opening Day start, Lolich was a fan favorite in the 1960s and 1970s.
3. Justin Verlander
Starts: 9 (2008-14, 2016-17)
Record: 2-1 (6 No Decisions)
Innings Pitched: 52.0
ERA: 4.50
Strikeouts: 55
Walks: 18
Despite a Hall of Fame career, Verlander had some mixed Opening Day performances. Over his 9 starts he was only able to go beyond 6.1 innings 1 time. While he has some gaudy strikeout-to-walk numbers, his Opening Day ERA tells a different tale.
2. George Mullin
Starts: 10 (1903-07, 1909-13)
Record: 5-5
Innings Pitched: 90.1
ERA: 2.99
Strikeouts: 40
Walks: 26
George Mullin’s ability to pitch deep into games played a role in him being tapped to start 10 Opening Days for the Detroit Tigers. In fact, Mullins went the distance in 8 of his 10 starts; the other two he still managed to throw 8.0 innings in each.
1. Jack Morris
Starts: 11 (1980-90)
Record: 7-4
Innings Pitched: 88.1
ERA: 2.86
Strikeouts: 62
Walks: 27
Jack Morris was a workhorse on the mound, managing 4 complete games on Opening Day. He never threw less than 6.2 innings during an Opening Day start and his competitive mentality helped him earn his 11 consecutive season openers.