Cardinals’ Opening Day History under Tony LaRussa

As the St. Louis Cardinals embark on yet another season’s Opening Day festivities (it really should be an official City of St. Louis holiday), let’s take a look back at some facts and figures about Opening Days since 1996, when Tony LaRussa took over as manager – and what they’ve meant for the Redbirds.

Editor’s Note: Since the article was written, it has been reported by our friend Derrick Goold at StlToday.com that Yadier Molina will in fact start tomorrow’s opening day game, changing a small portion of the list below.  I left the article in tact as the Molina start is not set in stone and I thought the information would be appreciated should his morning workout not go well.  – Bill Ivie

(All references to 2010 Opening Day starters are projected, subject to change at the manager’s whims.)

• The Cardinals are 6-8 on Opening Day of the season.  (They are 8-6 in home openers.)
• 2010 marks the Cards’ first Opening Day on the road since 2006, when they beat the Philadelphia Phillies 13-5.
• 13 (13-5, @ PHI – 2006, W) is the greatest number of runs scored by a Cards team, and 10 (8-10, vs MIL – 1999, L) the most allowed by a Cards team.
• The Cards’ largest margin of victory is 8 (13-5, @ PHI – 2006 and 10-2, vs COL – 2002).  Largest margin of defeat is also 8 (0-8, @ COL – 2001).
• Something that will surprise no one given today’s MLB climate and the managing tendencies of Tony LaRussa – the Cardinals have never employed the same batting lineup in consecutive openers.
• The Cardinals have surrendered the lead (and ultimately, the game) after the seventh inning in two seasons (2007 vs COL, 2008 vs PIT).
• 2010 marks the first time the Cards will face the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day.  They have opened against a divisional foe six other times.  (MIL – 3, PIT – 1, HOU – 1, CHC – 1)
• The Cards have opened in March twice during LaRussa’s managing tenure, 2010 will mark the fourth Opening Day on April 5th.
• Albert Pujols has reached base at least once in every Opening Day game he’s played.  His only game without a hit is 2007.  He has homered twice on Opening Day, both coming in 2006 when opening the new Busch Stadium.
• The projected starting lineup for 2010 (including Chris Carpenter) includes only two players making a consecutive start at their 2010 position – Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick.  (Brendan Ryan started last year’s opener at second base.)
• Albert Pujols has the most consecutive Opening Day starts (at any position) with nine.  With Yadier Molina expected to miss the 2010 game, the next longest streaks will be Brendan Ryan and Ryan Ludwick, with two each.

Positionally:

• Catcher – Because of injury to Yadier Molina, regular backup Jason LaRue makes his first Opening Day start with the Cardinals. LaRue is the seventh catcher to start the season for the Cards since 1996.
• First Base – Albert Pujols will make his seventh straight start at first, marking his tenth straight Opening Day with the Cards.  Only four others have opened the season for the Cards at first under LaRussa.
• Second Base – Because of a right handed opposing pitcher, Skip Schumaker figures to make his first Opening Day start at second base. Schumaker started the 2008 game in right field, but last season didn’t get the call because of a lefty starter for the Pirates. Schumaker will be the tenth Cardinal second baseman on Opening Day since 1996.
• Third Base – David Freese will man the hot corner, the seventh player to do so under the current skipper.
• Left Field – Re-signed free agent Matt Holliday gets to open the season with the Cardinals, he will be the eighth player to start Opening Day in left field for the Cards since 1996.
• Center Field – Colby Rasmus makes the first of what many hope will be a long streak of starts in center field for the Cardinals.  Rasmus will be the sixth man to begin a season in center for the Redbirds for TLR.  Jim Edmonds holds the longest tenure for any player under LaRussa at one position, with eight straight starts in center from 2000-2007.
• Right Field – Making his second straight start at this position, Ryan Ludwick is the twelfth right fielder employed by the Cardinals on Opening Day since 1996.  Right field is the most traveled position in the Cards’ Opening Day lineup, with no one player having made more than two consecutive starts at the position under LaRussa.
• Starting Pitcher – Chris Carpenter mans the mound for his fourth Opening Day with the Cards, and his first since 2007.  Carp is 2-1 in his prior Opening Day starts.  Including Carpenter, eight pitchers have started Opening Day games for a Tony LaRussa managed Cardinal team.

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Topics: Albert Pujols, Brendan Ryan, Chc, Chris Carpenter, cincinnati reds, Day Game, Derrick, Festivities, Foe, Goold, Margin Of Victory, Morning Workout, New Busch Stadium, Opening Day Starters, Philadelphia Phillies, Redbirds, Ryan Ludwick, Set In Stone, Seventh Inning, Small Portion, St. Louis Cardinals, Starting Lineup, Tony LaRussa, Two Seasons, Whims, Yadier Molina

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