MLB

The best moments in Yankees, Mets Opening Day history

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Joe DiMaggio returns from World War II for Yankees Opening Day in 1946. He goes 3-for-5 and the Yankees rally to beat the Senators with two runs in the bottom of the ninth.

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The Tom Seaver Era was over, but Jerry Koosman pitched a gem for the Mets on Opening Day in 1978. The Amazin's beat the Expos 3-1 in the first Opening Day not started by Seaver in more than a decade.

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The Yankees opened up the 1974 season at Shea Stadium while their Bronx home was under construction. Of course, they showed up the home team by beating the Indians 6-1 on the back of a Mel Stottlemyre gem.

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A young kid named Mickey Mantle came up for Yankees Opening Day in 1951. He started in right field and batted third. Joe DiMaggio played center and batted cleanup. Not a bad lineup, eh?

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Tom Seaver outdueled Steve Carlton on Mets Opening Day in 1975 and the Amazin's beat the Phillies on a walk-off single by a young catcher named Joe Torre.

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Derek Jeter (l.), and teammate Bernie Williams celebrate at the plate after Jeter's three-run home run in the eighth. The Yankees scored five runs in that inning and beat the Royals on Opening Day 2006.

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Bobby Jones pitched a gem and the Mets took the Phillies into the 14th inning for one of the longest Opening Day games ever. Catcher Alberto Castillo drove in Brian McRae for the marathon walk-off win.

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What a slugfest. The Yankees banged out 17 runs on 16 hits to beat the A's on Opening Day in 1998. Call it a precursor for things to come. The Yankees won 114 games and the World Series. That group is regarded as one of the best ever.

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Frank Cashen built the Mets team that won the World Series in 1986. In 1987, the Mets were without Dwight Gooden, who was on drug suspension, for Opening Day, but Darryl Strawberry, wearing Gooden's pants, hit a huge home run to lead the Mets over the Pirates.

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The House that Ruth Built was fittingly christened by the Babe himself. Ruth hit a three-run home run and the Yankees beat -- who better? -- the Red Sox in the first game at Yanke Stadum.

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What a welcome. Gary Carter comes to the Mets in a blockbuster offseason trade and promptly hits a walk-off home run in the 10th inning to give the Amazin's a win over the rival Cardinals on Opening Day 1985

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