Watch: Tyler O'Neill extends incredible Opening Day record

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O'Neill. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Watch: Orioles' Tyler O'Neill extends incredible Opening Day record

By David Hill | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 4:49 PM ET

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O'Neill must love Opening Day.

O'Neill homered in five consecutive Opening Days heading into this season, beginning his streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. He barely extended that streak last year, launching a home run against Seattle Mariners' reliever Cody Bolton in the top of the eighth inning to set the record.

There was no such drama this year. In the top of the third inning, O'Neill belted a 2-1 sinker from Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios to extend his record to six consecutive seasons.

TYLER O'NEILL HAS HOMERED ON #OPENINGDAY IN SIX STRAIGHT SEASONS! pic.twitter.com/0hE5YV87E7
— MLB (@MLB) March 27, 2025

The Orioles signed O'Neill as a free agent following a one-year stint with the Red Sox. He produced a .241/.336/.511 batting line in 473 plate appearances in 2024, hitting 31 homers. O'Neill had a previous 30+ homer season in 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals when he had a career-best 34.

The Orioles will need O'Neill to replicate his powerful performance from last year. Outfielder Anthony Santander, who finished second in the AL with 44 homers last year, signed a five-year deal with the Blue Jays. While Baltimore has an exciting young roster, it will miss Santander's powerful bat in the middle of the lineup.

For at least one game, O'Neill has been able to replace Santander as a dangerous slugger in the Orioles lineup. He extended his own Opening Day home run record by doing so.

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

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