Editor’s note: Tyler O’Neill homered in the third inning of the Orioles’ Opening Day game against the Blue Jays. He extended his record to six consecutive Opening Days with a home run.
Some stats in baseball just seem too crazy or coincidental to be true, but it's a funny game. Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill currently has one of the oddest streaks in MLB: he's homered in five consecutive Opening Day games.
O'Neill hit the first four from 2020 to 2023 as a member of the Cardinals. His fourth in 2023 tied him for the all-time record for most consecutive Opening Day games with a homer. The only other guys to do that are Todd Hundley from 1994-97, Gary Carter from 1977-80, and Yogi Berra from 1955-58.
With a homer against the Mariners last year, O'Neill claimed the record all to himself. He'll attempt to extend that streak to six as a member of the Orioles as they take on the Blue Jays on Opening Day 2025.
The Red Sox picked up O'Neill in a trade with the Cardinals last offseason after they traded outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Yankees. Although O'Neill had struggled in 2022-23, the Sox were hoping he could regain his 2021 form. In his best season, he hit 34 homers, posted a .912 OPS and won a Gold Glove, good enough for an eighth-place finish in NL MVP voting. While he didn't quite replicate his 2021 success, O'Neill seemed to return to form last year in Boston, managing an .847 OPS and hitting 31 homers despite missing 49 games due to injury.
No. 9 turned it upside down, that’s 6-straight now pic.twitter.com/LR6exOq6d1
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) March 27, 2025
Former Red Sox Tyler O'Neill hopes to continue Opening Day success with Orioles
O'Neill hit free agency this offseason, and while there was speculation that the Red Sox would resign him to keep his powerful right-handed bat in the lineup, he ultimately signed with their division rival in Baltimore on a three-year, $49.5 million contract. Since the Red Sox hoped to sign Juan Soto, they were likely waiting to see where he would land before making an offer to O'Neill. However, before the Sox had time to consider their backup plans, the Orioles swooped in and signed their 2024 home run leader.
Although O'Neill loved his time in Boston, the Orioles are an up-and-coming team with plenty of potential, and he should be a good fit there. But whether or not he can continue his Opening Day home run streak remains to be seen until March 27.