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Best Opening Day starts in Kansas City Royals history

By Leigh Oleszczak

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 04: A detailed view of the ceremonial Opening Day logo home plate used during the pre-game ceremonies prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park on April 4, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 04: A detailed view of the ceremonial Opening Day logo home plate used during the pre-game ceremonies prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park on April 4, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Starting pitcher Runelvys Hernandez #40 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)
Starting pitcher Runelvys Hernandez #40 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images) /

Kansas City Royals Best Opening Day Starts – No. 5: Runelvys Hernandez (2003)

After one major league season under his belt, Runelvys Hernandez got the call for Opening Day in 2003 and delivered masterfully. Hernandez pitched six scoreless innings while only surrendering two hits and recording five strikeouts. The Royals won the game 3-0.

The 2003 season was an outlier for the Royals during what was otherwise a very dark time for the organization. This was the first time in a decade where the team posted a winning record and brought some joy to Royals fans.

Hernandez might have been great in his first game of the season, but his 2003 campaign wasn’t one for the books. He finished the ’03 crusade with an ERA of 4.61 in 91.2 innings of work. He missed the entire 2004 season due to injury and never was an effective pitcher again.

His final season in the majors came in 2008 as a member of the Astros. He had an ERA over eight that year and didn’t pitch in the big leagues ever again.

Hernandez might not have been a great pitcher during his MLB career, but he put on one of the greatest Opening Day performances in Royals history.

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