It happened on this day in:
1914: The Phillies filed suit against officials from the Chicago Federal League club, asking the court to stop the Federals from interfering with their operations by attempting to sign its players.1965: The Phils visit Houston and play the first game in the Astrodome, a 2-0 Phillies victory. Dick Allen hit the first home run in the Dome and Chris Short pitches a 4-hitter, striking out 11.
1973: After a 2-day postponement, Kiteman makes it out of the upper deck on his hang glider, landing in left field. The Phils lose to Montreal 5-3 in front of only 5,130 fans.
1983: Local weatherman Jim O'Brien parachutes in with the first ball for the home opener, which the Phils won 4-3 in the 10th thanks to a bases-loaded single by Larry Milbourne.
1986: The Phillies beat New York 9-1 in 14 innings on an RBI single by Steve Jeltz. The two clubs combined to strand a major-league record 39 runners during the game.
1990: Carmelo Martinez starts in left field as the Phillies beat Chicago 5-4 in the first game of a double-header. He's the 1,500th player to appear with the team since its origin in 1883.
1991: Opening day pregame ceremonies included a salute to troops returning from the Gulf War. The ball for the first pitch was thrown by the Phanatic from the Veterans' Stadium roof, then delivered to Jim Bunning who threw the first pitch to Tim Mccarver.
1999: Kiteman VI succeeds in delivering the first ball to the field, but scheduled National Anthem performers Boyz II Men get stuck in traffic and miss their part of the home opener festivities.
2002: Dave Hollins goes on the DL due to a severe reaction to a spider bite he got in Spring Training
2004: In the first game played at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies drop their home opener to Cincinnati. Bobby Abreu's solo HR accounts for all of the home team's scoring.
Phillies Transactions on this Day
1969: Traded Tony Giresi and John Sullivan to Baltimore for Vic Roznovsky1994: Traded Kevin Foster to Chicago (NL) for Shawn Boskie
2000: Lost Anthony Schumaker on waivers to New York (NL)