White Sox tie MLB record for most Opening Day HRs
The Chicago White Sox teed off on the Kansas City Royals on Thursday and tied a major-league record for most Opening Day home runs.
By clubbing six homers against the division-rival Royals, the White Sox tied the record for most longballs on the first day of the season, set by the 1988 New York Mets.
En route to the record, Matt Davidson hit three himself, becoming the fourth player in MLB history to hit a trio on Opening Day. The White Sox third baseman joined Dmitri Young, Tuffy Rhodes, and George Bell as the only players to accomplish the feat.
The addition of Statcast makes Davidson's accomplishment even more notable:
Have mercy, @matt_davidson24!
— #Statcast (@statcast) March 29, 2018
Exit velos for the @whitesox slugger’s 3 HR today:
- 115.1 mph
- 114.0 mph
- 113.9 mph
No other player in #statcast history has hit three 110+ mph HR in a game. https://t.co/jD0s8N3FQU
While Davidson led the pack with three, Tim Anderson hit a pair and Jose Abreu added the first one of the game.
The six home runs helped the White Sox win their Opening Day tilt 14-7, chasing Royals starter Danny Duffy after four innings, allowing five runs on seven hits - including three homers - and two walks. Kansas City used eight relievers, with Blaine Boyer allowing a pair of homers and Brian Flynn serving up the final one.