IN THE NEWS: The Philadelphia Athletics threaten to strike unless they share in the receipts of last fall's City Series. They don't get the money, but they don't strike.
IN THE NEWS: Ed Delahanty, one of five ML brothers, and the greatest natural hitter of his time, rejoins the Washington Nationals in accordance with the peace terms. A 3-year contract with the Giants at $8,000 a year, signed during the winter, is canceled. The Nationals reimburse the Giants for the $3,000 advanced to Big Ed.
IN THE NEWS: The Reds open the season before 12,000 fans and lose to the Pirates, 7–1, the first of four straight losses to the Bucs. Deacon Phillippe allows just two Cincy hits for the win.
IN THE NEWS: At the opener at the Polo Grounds, Brooklyn scores four in the first against Christy Mathewson, but New York counters to take a 5–4 lead. Matty allows another five runs as his teammates contribute six errors. Brooklyn wins, 9–7.
IN THE NEWS: Since yesterday was Sunday, today is both Opening Day and Patriot's Day in Boston. The Pilgrims play an a.m. game before 8,376 fans beating the A's Rube Waddell, 9–4. The Athletics take the afternoon contest, 10–7, watched by 27,658, behind Eddie Plank and Chief Bender. Cy Young and Long Tom Hughes pitch for Boston.
IN THE NEWS: At Brooklyn's home opener at Washington Park, Mrs. Charles Ebbets throws out the first ball and then Henry Schmidt and the Giants' Christy Mathewson keep the ball low as a National League-record 43 total chances are taken by two clubs. The Superbas have 23 assists, including eight by Schmidt in his ML debut; the Giants have 21. Catcher Jack Warner drives home the winning run for a 2–1 New York victory. The total chance record will be tied by the Giants and Reds May 15, 1909.
IN THE NEWS: At Washington, before 11,950, the New York Highlanders play their first game, losing 3–1. Washington elects to bat first, but the New Yorkers score in the bottom of the opening inning to take a 1–0 lead. Each starter gives up six hits with Jack Chesbro, the National League's top winner last year (28-6) taking the loss. Al Orth, in his second season with Washington, is the winner.
In the American League's formal Opening at Philadelphia, the Athletics top Boston, 6–1, before 13,578. Rube Waddell bests Bill Dinneen. AL President Ban Johnson presents the 1902 championship pennant to the A's.
IN THE NEWS: Against the Pirates, the Cardinals go into the 9th with a 7-6 lead, in part due to three errors by SS Honus Wagner. Honus atones for the miscues by tripling in the 9th and scoring on a Kitty Bransfield single. With two outs in the 11th, Wagner walks, steals 2B and scores the winner on another Kitty bingle, and the Bucs win, 7–6. Wagner finishes with two triples among his four hits, four RBIs, and three stolen bases.
IN THE NEWS: Christy Mathewson keeps New York in 1st place with a 10–7 win over Boston. Matty gives up two homers, including a grand slam by 2B Frank Bonner.
Three days after Pilgrim OF Chick Stahl injures his leg sliding, Boston C Duke Farrell fractures his leg while stealing 2B against Washington. This leaves Boston with Lou Criger as its only catcher.
IN THE NEWS: Pilgrims' Norwood Gibson is the main cause of Boston's 9–5 loss to Washington as the pitcher issues nine walks and Washington collects eight stolen bases.
IN THE NEWS: The new American League park opens in New York with an estimated crowd of 16,000 watching the home team beat Washington 6–2. Jack Chesbro, who lost to the Nats on Opening Day, is today's winner.