IN THE NEWS: President Lyndon B. Johnson joins 47,878 fans for the opening of Harris County Domed Stadium (the Astrodome). The Astros win an exhibition with the Yankees 2–1 in 12 innings on a Nellie Fox single. Mickey Mantle hits the first home run in the new park.
IN THE NEWS: President Johnson throws out the first ball, then watches as the Red Sox beat the Senators in DC, 7–2. Five Boston home runs tie a major-league record for an opener and seven total home runs set a ML record.
In Minnesota, the Yankees drop their second straight 11th inning opener, as the Twins win 5–4. Twins starter Jim Kaat, stranded because of the ice and snow, is brought to Metropolitan Stadium by helicopter. Kaat is matched by Jim Bouton, who goes five innings, giving up two earned runs. Bob Allison's wind-blown fly ball in the 11th drops untouched for a three-base error by Hector Lopez, one of eight errors the two teams combine for. Cesar Tovar's 2-out single scores the winner off Pedro Ramos.
On opening day in Chicago, the Cards hand Bob Gibson a 5-run lead in the 1st inning against Larry Jackson. But the wind is blowing out and the game ends after 11 innings called because of darkness. The standoff is 10–10. For the Cubs, Roberto Pena makes three errors in seven chances but is 3-for-6 with home run and double. Ernie Banks hits the only other home run.
IN THE NEWS: At Crosley Field, Reds rookie Tony Perez connect for his first homer, a grand slam off Braves hurler Denny Lemaster, to help the Reds win, 8–3.
IN THE NEWS: In a banner finish, Al Spangler stars for the Astros by swiping home with the winning run in the 11th to give the Astros a 7–6 win over the Mets.
At Washington, Carl Yastrzemski hits for the cycle , but the Senators still beat the Red Sox, 6–4.
IN THE NEWS: In his first full ML game, Orioles LF Curt Blefary hits two home runs, as Baltimore loses 12–9 in Boston's home opener.
Don Drysdale ties a major-league record by striking out four Phils -- Wes Covington, Tony Gonzalez, Dick Stuart, and Clay Dalrymple -- in order in the 2nd inning, but also gives up two home runs to lose 3–2. It is the 8th straight time the Phillies have beaten big Don.
In Kansas City, the Yanks top the A's, 5–2, with all of New York's scoring coming via home runs. With NY ahead, 2–1, in the 8th, Roger Maris walks and Mickey Mantle follows with his 1st homer of the year.
IN THE NEWS: California Angels rookie Rudy May has a no-hitter ruined in the 8th inning of his ML debut by Jake Wood's double. The Angels lift him after nine innings of one-hit ball, and Detroit wins in 13 innings.
IN THE NEWS: At a cost of $20,000, the outer Astrodome ceiling is painted because the sun's glare makes fielding fly balls hazardous. Outfielders had been wearing batting helmets in preseason games because of the glare. Painting the skylights will reduce the lighting by nearly 40% and create the need for lights. But the lack of sunlight will cause the grass to die and spur the introduction of artificial turf.
Jim Maloney pitches a one hitter as the Reds top the Braves, 2–0. The only hit is Denis Menke's single in the 8th inning.
IN THE NEWS: At Yankee Stadium, Mel Stottlemyre and California's Rudy May lock up in a pitching duel until Mickey Mantle scores the only run of the game with a 4th inning solo shot into the left field bleachers.
IN THE NEWS: The Phils set a team record with six home runs but still lose to the Giants 14–13.
The Twins unload seven runs in the first inning and coast to a 11–1 win over the Indians. The big blow is Camilo Pascual's grand slam off Stan Williams, the 2nd grand slam of his career. Pascual makes it easy as he tosses a two-hitter.
IN THE NEWS: Mets announcer Lindsey Nelson broadcasts the Mets-Astros game at the Astrodome from a hanging gondola, 208 feet above 2B. He sees plenty of action as Houston wins, 12–9.
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