BALTIMORE - Tyler O’Neill’s remarkable Opening Day home run streak has finally hit a pause. After seven consecutive years of starting the season with a bang, the Baltimore Orioles outfielder didn't go deep in the season opener. But don’t let that fool you-O’Neill still made his presence felt.
In front of a lively crowd of 42,134 at Orioles Park at Camden Yards, O’Neill's seventh-inning single set the stage for the game’s first run, helping the Orioles edge out the Minnesota Twins 2-1.
O’Neill's performance was solid, going 1-for-2 with a walk. Facing off against Twins All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan, he showcased patience and skill, working a nine-pitch walk in his first plate appearance.
In his second at-bat, O’Neill took a swing at a high fastball, resulting in a pop-out to start the fifth inning. But it was his third trip to the plate that made the difference.
With the game still scoreless, O’Neill connected on an 0-1 sinker from reliever Justin Topa, sending a single up the middle. This crucial hit paved the way for Blaze Alexander’s two-out RBI single, putting the Orioles on the board.
O’Neill’s Opening Day heroics began back on July 24, 2020, with a memorable 394-foot solo homer off Pittsburgh’s Joe Musgrove. He continued the trend in 2021 with a two-run shot in Cincinnati, part of a career-high 34 homers that season.
The streak continued with homers against Pittsburgh’s JT Brubaker in 2022 and Toronto’s Alex Manoah in 2023, tying the record for consecutive Opening Day home runs. O’Neill set a new benchmark in 2024 with a solo blast off Seattle’s Cody Bolton and added another in his native Canada last year against Toronto’s José Berríos.
With 112 non-Opening Day homers to his name, O’Neill’s six-year streak broke the previous record of four, shared by legendary catchers Todd Hundley, Gary Carter, and Yogi Berra. While the streak may have ended, O’Neill’s ability to impact the game remains as strong as ever.