IN THE NEWS: The Yankees obtain P John Wetteland from the Expos in exchange for minor league OF Fernando Seguignol, a player to be named, and cash considerations.
The Royals trade OF Brian McRae to the Cubs in exchange for pitchers Derek Wallace and Geno Morones.
The Expos trade their ace Ken Hill (16–5) to the Cardinals for pitchers Bryan Eversgerd and Kirk Bollinger, and OF Darond Stovall.
IN THE NEWS: The Pirates release Tim Wakefield, 8–1 in 1993 and the National League Rookie pitcher of the Year. The knuckleballer started the 1994 opener, but spent most of the season in Buffalo (International League) going 5–15, and was shelled in his only start this spring. Wakefield will be picked up by the Red Sox.
Jeff Reardon, 39, announces his retirement. He is 2nd on the all-time list for saves (367).
Dodgers president Peter O'Malley donates the Brooklyn Dodgers' 1955 World Championship banner to the borough in which it was won, saying, "The flag belongs in Brooklyn."
IN THE NEWS: Darryl Strawberry is sentenced to six months of home confinement on tax evasion charges. He must also pay the government $350,000 in back taxes.
IN THE NEWS: The 234-day strike ends. The 1st game pits the Dodgers against the Marlins. LA wins, 8-7, but the game is played with replacement umpires, as the regular umps continue to be locked out.
IN THE NEWS: Fans in Pittsburgh disrupt Opening Day by throwing sticks on the field, and holding up the action for 17 minutes. Montreal eventually wins the game by a score of 6-2.
Despite just 6,300 fans at the Yanks pre-opening workout, 50,245 show up for the opener, the smallest opening crowd at the Stadium since 1990. The Yankees start with a win, 8–6, over the Rangers, as Jimmy Key goes five innings to pick up the win. It is his 3rd straight opener and his Opening Day record is 6–0. Kenny Rogers is the loser, giving up four runs in three innings, including a homer to Danny Tartabull. Bernie Williams also homers.
At Kansas City, Royals Kevin Appier is lifted after six 2/3 innings of no hit ball. Appier had thrown just 11 1/3 innings in spring training and manager Bob Boone does not want to risk injury. Appier is ahead 3–0 when he exits and the Royals win 5–1. Nolan Ryan, in the 1990 opener, also was lifted in a no hitter because of limited work in spring training.
Toronto scores 11 runs in the 2nd inning and coasts home to a 13–1 win over the Oakland A's. The 11 runs is the most scored in an inning on Opening Day this century, but will be matched in three years by San Diego.
IN THE NEWS: Milwaukee's starter Cal Eldred picks up a win with five innings of work in a 9–5 win over the White Sox. Tim Raines and Frank Thomas hit consecutive homers in the 7th with two out, and then in the 8th Robin Ventura hits Alberto Reyes first ML pitch for another homer.
IN THE NEWS: The Ontario Labor Board announces that replacement umpires will not be allowed to work in Blue Jay home games. Under Ontario law, replacement workers may not be used during a strike or lockout.
The Giants play Opening Day at 3Com Stadium, the new name for Candlestick Park. The day is a success for the Jints, as they shut out Florida, 4-0.
In Venezuela, former ML player Gus Palidor is murdered by two men who are trying to steal his car. Palidor had just returned from spring training, where he had been trying to catch on as a replacement player.
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