List of Detroit Wolverines Opening Day starting pitchers

Charlie Getzein was the Wolverines' last Opening Day starting pitcher in 1888.

The Detroit Wolverines were a Major League Baseball team that was based in Detroit, Michigan and played in the National League from 1881 through 1888.[1] The Wolverines used four Opening Day starting pitchers in their eight years as a Major League Baseball franchise. The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starter is an honor that is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,[2] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[3] The Wolverines had a record of four wins and four losses in their Opening Day games.

The first game in Detroit Wolverines history was played on May 2, 1881 against the Buffalo Bisons.[4] George Derby was the Opening Day starting pitcher in that game, which the Wolverines lost by a score of 6–5.[4] The Wolverines' last Opening Day game was played on April 20, 1888 against the Pittsburgh Alleghenys (now known as the Pittsburgh Pirates).[5] Charlie Getzein was the Wolverines' Opening Day starting pitcher in that game, which the Wolverines lost by a score of 5–2.[5] The Wolverines were the National League champions in 1887, and went on to win the 19th century version of the World Series by defeating the American Association (19th century) champion St. Louis Browns.[1][6] Lady Baldwin was the Wolverines' Opening Day starting pitcher that year, in a game the Wolverines won by a score of 4–3 against the Indianapolis Hoosiers.[7] Stump Wiedman made three Opening Day starts for the Wolverines, more than any other pitcher, in 1883, 1884 and 1885.[8][9][10] Derby and Baldwin each made two Opening Day starts.[4][7][11][12]

Key

Season Each year is linked to an article about that particular Wolverines season.
W Win
L Loss
ND (W) No decision by starting pitcher; Wolverines won game
ND (L) No decision by starting pitcher; Wolverines lost game
(W) Wolverines won game; no information on starting pitcher's decision
(L) Wolverines lost game; no information on starting pitcher's decision
Final score Game score with Wolverines runs listed first
Location Stadium in italics for home game
(#) Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Wolverines
† Wolverines were World Series Champions

Pitchers

Lady Baldwin was the Wolverines' Opening Day starting pitcher in 1886 and in 1887, the year they won the World Series.
Season Pitcher Decision Final
Score		 Opponent Location (Stadium) References
1881 Derby, GeorgeGeorge Derby L 5–6 Buffalo Bisons Recreation Park [4]
1882 Derby, GeorgeGeorge Derby (2) (W) 5–4 Cleveland Blues National League Park [11]
1883 Wiedman, StumpStump Wiedman (L) 4–7 Chicago White Stockings Recreation Park [8]
1884 Wiedman, StumpStump Wiedman (2) (L) 2–13 Philadelphia Quakers Recreation Park [9]
1885 Wiedman, StumpStump Wiedman (3) W 8–3 Buffalo Bisons Recreation Park [10]
1886 Baldwin, LadyLady Baldwin (W) 9–2 St. Louis Maroons Union Grounds [12]
1887† Baldwin, LadyLady Baldwin (2) W 4–3 Indianapolis Hoosiers Seventh Street Park [7]
1888 Getzein, CharlieCharlie Getzein (L) 2–5 Pittsburgh Alleghenys Recreation Park [5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Detroit Wolverines Team History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  2. ↑ Bastian, Jordan (March 22, 2010). "Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day". MLB.com. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
  3. ↑ Dilbeck, Steve (February 24, 2014). "Dodgers may not start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "1881 Detroit Wolverines Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  5. 1 2 3 "1888 Detroit Wolverines Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  6. ↑ "1887 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  7. 1 2 3 "1887 Detroit Wolverines Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  8. 1 2 "1883 Detroit Wolverines Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  9. 1 2 "1884 Detroit Wolverines Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  10. 1 2 "1885 Detroit Wolverines Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  11. 1 2 "1882 Detroit Wolverines Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  12. 1 2 "1886 Detroit Wolverines Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
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