IN THE NEWS: The U.S. entry into World War I and a cold, wet spring combine to put a damper on the start of the season; 48 NL games will be postponed in the first month. Half the ML clubs will show losses this year, and eight of the 20 minor leagues will fold before the season is over. The AL gets the Army to assign drill sergeants to each team for daily pregame drills. A final contest will be held for a $500 prize. The St. Louis Browns will take the money.
IN THE NEWS: In pregame drills before the Yankees Opening Day at the Polo Grounds, the Yankees impress General Leonard Wood by marching in drills. The Sox, having not practiced, decline, but then drill New York 10–3 in the game. Boston breaks a 3-3 tie with four runs in the 7th, three coming home on round tripper by Dick Hoblitzell. Tilly Walker adds a double, two triples and four RBIs for Boston, while Babe Ruth allows just three hits, all singles, in beating Ray Caldwell.
In Philadelphia, Walter Johnson and the Nationals shut out the A's, 3–0. Johnson strikes out 11 in outgunning Bullet Joe Bush.
IN THE NEWS: In St. Louis, Chicago's Eddie Cicotte pitches a no-hitter over the Browns, winning easily, 11–0. Cicotte faces just 30 batters, with the only near-hit a line drive by Jimmy Austin that Chick Gandil fumbles. "And not without cause, for Jimmy's drive had whiskers like a German who was trapped for ten days on Vimy Ridge." (says the Chicago Tribune). Cicotte's 28 wins and 1.53 ERA will top the AL.
IN THE NEWS: At Washington's home opener, President Wilson is absent, but Veep Thomas Marshall does the tossing of the first ball. Walter Johnson rolls to a 3–0 win over the A's, beating Joe Bush. Johnson allows just three hits and strikes out 11.
In Boston's Opener, James Curley tosses out the first ball and Babe Ruth then beats the Yankees again, 6–4, on nine hits. At bat, the Babe is 3-for-3 with a triple and two doubles.
IN THE NEWS: In front of 3,219 fans, Yankee lefty George Mogridge pitches a no-hitter in Fenway Park for a 2–1 New York win. It is the 2nd of what will be an AL record five no-hitters. The Yankees score on two walks, an error, and a sacrifice fly off Dutch Leonard. Not until Dave Righetti's no-hitter in 1983 will another Yankee lefty toss a no-hitter.