April 1st

On this day in Yankee history... 

 

1939: Phil Niekro is born. 

                           https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Phil_Niekro




2001: Andy Pettitte breezes to a win as the Yankees rout the Blue Jays in Toronto 10-1 for their first April Fools Day victory in franchise history. 

                       http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2003/B04010TOR2003.htm





2008: The Yankees set a major league record by winning their 11th straight home opener. Oddly, the record had been held by the 1945-54 Pittsburgh Pirates, a club which lost 100 or more games three times in that period. The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 3-2. Chien-MingWang allows two runs in 7 innings for the win over Roy Halladay. Derek Jeter also sets a record by starting his 12th consecutive Yankee opener at shortstop, surpassing the mark held previously by Phil Rizzuto. 

                  http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2008/B04010NYA2008.htm 


 

2014: The Yankees and the Astros are the last two teams to open their season, meeting before a crowd of 42,117 at Minute Maid Park. The game does not follow the expected script as the Astros, coming off three straight 100-loss season and having lost their last 15 games in 2013, defeat the Bronx Bombers 6-2. Scott Feldman pitches 6 2/3 scoreless innings and Jesus Guzman and L.J. Hoes homer against Yankee starter C.C. Sabathia. 

                          http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2014/04012014.htm