List of Nashville Vols Opening Day starting pitchers

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File:Nashville Vols Opening Day 1909.jpg ceremonies at Sulphur Dell in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 15, 1909]]

File:ArtHerman1895.jpg, the Opening Day starting pitcher in 1903 and 1905, is one of seven Nashville pitchers with two Opening Day starts.]]

File:Wiley Piatt.jpg started Opening Day for the National League's Philadelphia Phillies in 1899 before starting for Nashville in 1904.]]

File:Tom Rogers (1916, Nashville Tennessean).jpg pitched a perfect game for the Vols on July 11, 1916, after starting Opening Day.{{cite news|last=Horn|first=Blinkey|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/the-tennessean-tom-rogers-hurls-perfect/136161652/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Tom Rogers Hurls Perfect Game No Hits, Runs, or Batter to First|work=The Nashville Tennessean|location=Nashville|date=July 12, 1916|page=10}}]]

File:Waite-hoyt.jpg, the Vols' 1918 starter, was inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoytwa01.shtml|title=Waite Hoyt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=July 22, 2020}}]]

File:George McQuillan, Philadelphia, NL (baseball) LCCN2014687974.tif made Opening Day starts for the National League's Philadelphia Phillies (1908 and 1910) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1915) before doing so for Nashville in 1923.]]

File:Jack Harshman 1952.JPG, the 1953 starter, won that season's Southern Association Most Valuable Player Award.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-harshman-voted-sas-most/136695976/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Harshman Voted SA's Most Valuable Player|work=The Nashville Tennessean|location=Nashville|date=January 12, 1954|page=18}} He also started on Opening Day for the American League's Baltimore Orioles in 1959.]]

File:Aubrey Gatewood, 1964.jpg made the start in the Vols' final Opening Day game in 1963.]]

The Nashville Vols were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1901 to 1963.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Nashville&state=TN&country=US|title=Nashville, Tennessee Encyclopedia|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|accessdate=December 2, 2023}} They were established as charter members of the Southern Association in 1901.{{cite web|first1=Bill|last1=Weiss|first2=Marshall|last2=Wright|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=47|title=47. 1940 Nashville Vols|work=Minor League Baseball|date=2001|access-date=September 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012164314/http://www.milb.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=47|archive-date=October 12, 2020|url-status=dead}} Known as the Nashville Baseball Club during their first seven seasons, they became the Nashville Volunteers (regularly shortened to Vols) in 1908.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45176467/volunteers_is_the_new_name_for/|via=Newspapers.com|title='Volunteers' is the New Name for Nashville's Baseball Club|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=February 29, 1908|page=6}} Nashville remained in the Southern Association until it disbanded after the 1961 season. The team sat out the 1962 campaign but returned for a final season in the South Atlantic League in 1963 before ceasing operations altogether. The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starting pitcher is an honor which is given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,{{cite web|first=Jordan|last=Bastian|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100322&content_id=8868046&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Marcum Tapped for Jays' Opening Day|website=Major League Baseball|date=March 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105103440/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100322&content_id=8868046&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|archive-date=November 5, 2012|access-date=November 14, 2018}} though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Dilbeck|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-clayton-kershaw-sydney-20140224-story.html#axzz2uMohA5cD|title=Dodgers May Not Start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=November 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030825/http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-clayton-kershaw-sydney-20140224-story.html#axzz2uMohA5cD|archive-date=November 15, 2018|url-status=live}} The Vols used 55 different Opening Day starters in their 62 seasons.

Nashville's first Opening Day game was played against the Chattanooga Lookouts at Stanton Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on May 2, 1901.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-ragged/135541057/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Ragged|work=The Nashville Banner|location=Nashville|date=May 3, 1901|page=10}} Ted Corbett was their starting pitcher that day; he took a no decision in the 15–14 loss, which lasted 10 innings. Their first Opening Day game held at home was against the Birmingham Barons at Athletic Park on April 10, 1907.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-boosters-open-season-by/137593972/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Boosters Open Season by Beating Champions|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=April 11, 1907|page=11}} Starter John Duggan pitched a complete game for the 3–0 victory. Nashville's Athletic Park became known as Sulphur Dell in 1908.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-volunteers-will-meet-the/135540355/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Volunteers Will Meet the Barons|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=May 4, 1908|page=6}} The Vols' final Opening Day at the Dell occurred on April 8, 1961, against Chattanooga.{{cite news|last=Williams|first=F. M.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-lookouts-clip/137818132/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Lookouts Clip|work=The Nashville Tennessean|location=Nashville|date=April 9, 1961|page=50}} Albert Johnston started the game, a 5–3 defeat, and was charged with the loss. On April 19, 1963, the Vols opened their final season versus the Knoxville Smokies at Bill Meyer Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.{{cite news|last=Williams|first=F. M.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-vol-bats-choke-smokies-8/135917371/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Vol Bats Choke Smokies, 8-4|work=The Nashville Tennessee|location=Nashville|date=April 20, 1963|page=13}} Starting pitcher Aubrey Gatewood did not figure in the decision in the 8–4 win.

Nashville's Opening Day starting pitchers had a combined Opening Day record of 28 wins, 23 losses, and 11 no decisions, including 1 tie, in 62 seasons. At Sulphur Dell, they had a record of 11 wins, 10 losses, and 6 no decisions, including 1 tie, in 27 Opening Day starts. Vols pitchers had a record of 17 wins, 13 losses, and 5 no decisions in 35 Opening Day starts on the road.

Seven Vols made two Opening Day starts: Art Herman (1903 and 1905), Frank Bair (1911 and 1912), George Milstead (1929 and 1932), George Jeffcoat (1940 and 1941), Leo Twardy (1946 and 1947), Pete Mallory (1948 and 1949), and Jerry Davis (1957 and 1959). Six Nashville Opening Day starters also started Opening Day games in Major League Baseball: Wiley Piatt for the Philadelphia Phillies (1899);{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1899/VPHI01899.htm|title=The 1899 Philadelphia Phillies Regular Season Game Log|work=Retrosheet|access-date=December 31, 2023}} George McQuillan for Philadelphia (1908 and 1910) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (1915);{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI190804140.shtml|title=New York Giants vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score: April 14, 1908|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI191004140.shtml|title=Brooklyn Superbas vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score: April 14, 1910|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN191504140.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 14, 1915|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}} Waite Hoyt for the New York Yankees (1927), Brooklyn Dodgers (1932), and Pittsburgh (1935);{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO193204120.shtml|title=Boston Braves vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: April 12, 1932|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA192704120.shtml|title=Philadelphia Athletics vs New York Yankees Box Score: April 12, 1927|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN193504160.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 16, 1935|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}} Red Lucas for the Cincinnati Reds (1929 and 1930);{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN192904160.shtml|title=St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 16, 1929|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN193004150.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 15, 1930|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}} Russ Meyer for the Chicago Cubs (1948);{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT194804200.shtml|title=Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score: April 20, 1948|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}} and Jack Harshman for the Baltimore Orioles (1959).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WS1/WS1195904090.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles vs Washington Senators Box Score: April 9, 1959|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 31, 2023}}

Pitchers

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:85%" \|+Key !scope="row" style="text-align:center"\|Pitcher {{small\|(#)}} \|Number indicates multiple appearances as a Vols Opening Day starter
scope="row" style="text-align:center"\|Score {{small\|(#)}} \|Game score with Vols runs listed first; number of innings in a game that was shorter or longer than 9 innings in parentheses
scope="row" style="text-align:center"\|Location \|Stadium in italics denotes a Vols home game
scope="row" style="text-align:center"\|W \|Win earned by starting pitcher; Vols won game
scope="row" style="text-align:center"\|L \|Loss earned by starting pitcher; Vols lost game
scope="row" style="text-align:center"\|ND (W) \|No decision by starting pitcher; Vols won game
scope="row" style="text-align:center"\|ND (L) \|No decision by starting pitcher; Vols lost game
scope="row" style="text-align:center"\|ND (T) \|No decision by starting pitcher; game resulted in a tie

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:85%"

|+Key

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|Pitcher {{small|(#)}}

|Number indicates multiple appearances as a Vols Opening Day starter

scope="row" style="text-align:center"|Score {{small|(#)}}

|Game score with Vols runs listed first; number of innings in a game that was shorter or longer than 9 innings in parentheses

scope="row" style="text-align:center"|Location

|Stadium in italics denotes a Vols home game

scope="row" style="text-align:center"|W

|Win earned by starting pitcher; Vols won game

scope="row" style="text-align:center"|L

|Loss earned by starting pitcher; Vols lost game

scope="row" style="text-align:center"|ND (W)

|No decision by starting pitcher; Vols won game

scope="row" style="text-align:center"|ND (L)

|No decision by starting pitcher; Vols lost game

scope="row" style="text-align:center"|ND (T)

|No decision by starting pitcher; game resulted in a tie

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Pitchers

!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#17468E 5px solid; border-bottom:#17468E 5px solid; color:#17468E"|Season

!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#17468E 5px solid; border-bottom:#17468E 5px solid; color:#17468E"|Pitcher

!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#17468E 5px solid; border-bottom:#17468E 5px solid; color:#17468E"|Decision

!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#17468E 5px solid; border-bottom:#17468E 5px solid; color:#17468E"|Score

!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#17468E 5px solid; border-bottom:#17468E 5px solid; color:#17468E"|Opponent

!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#17468E 5px solid; border-bottom:#17468E 5px solid; color:#17468E"|Location

!class="unsortable" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#17468E 5px solid; border-bottom:#17468E 5px solid; color:#17468E"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

1901

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Ted|Corbett|nolink=1}}

|ND (W)

|{{sort|15.14|15–14 {{Small|(10)}}}}

|Chattanooga Lookouts

|Stanton Field

|{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-battles-on-diamond/135541464/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Battles on Diamond|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=May 3, 1901|page=6}}

1902

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|War|Sanders}}

|{{sort|08.02|8–2 {{Small|(7)}}}}{{refn|group=n|The April 26, 1902, Opening Day game was called after seven innings due to darkness.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-fishers-team-takes-the-f/137471180/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Fisher's Team Takes the First|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=April 27, 1902|page=6}}}}

|Atlanta Crackers

|Piedmont Park

1903

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Art|Herman}} {{Small|(1)}}

|{{sort|04.01|4–1}}

|Birmingham Barons

|West End Park

|{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-first-for-fisher/137471508/|via=Newspapers.com|title=First for Fisher|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=April 28, 1903|page=7}}

1904

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Wiley|Piatt}}

|{{sort|00.02|0–2}}

|Birmingham Barons

|West End Park

|{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-nashville-shut-out/137536860/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Nashville Shut Out|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=April 22, 1904|page=7}}

1905

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Art|Herman}} {{Small|(2)}}

|{{sort|00.08|0–8}}

|Atlanta Crackers

|Piedmont Park

|{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-atlanta-wins-first/137537012/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Atlanta Wins First|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=April 20, 1905|page=7}}

1906

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Rube|Geyer}}

|{{sort|00.03|0–3}}

|Birmingham Barons

|West End Park

|{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-southern-league-season-op/137537201/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Southern League Season Opens|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=April 12, 1906|page=7}}

1907

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|John|Duggan|nolink=1}}

|{{sort|03.00|3–0}}

|Birmingham Barons

|Athletic Park

|{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-opening-game-for-nashvill/137537316/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Opening Game for Nashville|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=April 11, 1907|page=7}}

1908

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Bill|Sorrells|nolink=1}}

|{{sort|01.03|1–3}}

|Atlanta Crackers

|Ponce de Leon Park

|{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Robert|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-champs-take-opening-game/137537507/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Champs Take Opening Game|work=The Nashville American|location=Nashville|date=April 17, 1908|page=8}}

1909

!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Thomas|Gilroy|nolink=1}}

|ND (W)

|{{sort|04.03|4–3}}

List of Nashville Vols Opening Day starting pitchers

Pitchers

Notes

References