Tuesday, April 3, 2012

A look back at the last 4 Opening Days

When the Dodgers take the field against the Padres on Thursday, I will officially start my fifth year of covering games on this blog. With that unbelievable milestone fast approaching (OK, it's not that big of a deal, but still pretty cool for me), let's take a look at the previous four Opening Days.

2008: Dodgers 5 - Giants 0

Joe Torre made his debut as Dodgers' skipper, a year after ditching the Yankees. It was also the 50th anniversary of the Dodgers' move from Brooklyn. Oh, and it was also the heroic debut of Andrew Jones. Sigh. Take that last part away, and it was quite the memorable day in LA.

Here is my original report from this game.


2009: Dodgers 4 - Padres 1

Manny Ramirez began his full-time stint with the Dodgers, a year after going on an absolute tear following his trade from the Red Sox. The Dodgers finally beat Jake Peavy, who won his previous 11 decisions against them, thanks in large part to a homer from Matt Kemp.

Original Report


2010: Pirates 11 - Dodgers 5

Ugh. Talk about a gigantic thud on Opening Day. The Pirates looked like World Series contenders, and the Dodgers... well, pretty much looked the Pirates of any other game. The Dodgers actually used a Kemp single in the first to go up 2-0, only to watch Vicente Padilla and George Sherrill get rocked. Not a whole lot changed that year as Torre's final season came to a disappointing, postseason-less close.

Original Report


2011: Dodgers 2 - Giants 1

The opening contest of the Kershaw-Lincecum feud went Kershaw's way, which soon turned into Kershaw 4 - Lincecum 0 in 2011. Kershaw pitched seven flawless innings and Kemp reached base all four times. Don Mattingly's debut was victorious.

Original Report

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