On April 4, 1988, Joe Magrane became just the second Cardinals pitcher to hit a home run on Opening Day. The only other time it was accomplished was by Jack Powell in 1901. Magrane's big blast was a three-run shot that came in the fourth inning and propelled the Birds to a 4-1 lead. Unfortunately for Magrane and the Birds, errors would haunt them as the Reds came back to tie it, then win the game with an RBI from Kal Daniels in the 12th inning. Daniels had also hit a solo shot earlier in the ballgame. While most days I would pick a fact that involves a win over a loss, I was surprised to learn that only Magrane and Powell were the only two Cardinals pitchers to accomplish the Opening Day feat. When Powell did it on 1901 the team lost 8-7, so maybe it is best for a pitcher to simply pitch the ballgame on Opening Day rather than breakout the boomstick.Check out the box score along with the play by play:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198804040.shtml
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