On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Tyler O’Neill did it again. The Baltimore Orioles outfielder hit a three-run home run during the third inning of the season opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, extending his record of consecutive Opening Day home runs to six. This remarkable feat makes O’Neill the first player in Major League Baseball history to accomplish such a streak, surpassing the previous record of four held by legends like Yogi Berra and Gary Carter.
The game took place at Rogers Centre in Toronto, where O’Neill, a native of Burnaby, British Columbia, made his Orioles debut. The home run, which sailed over the right-field wall off Blue Jays starter José Berríos, helped the Orioles take a commanding 5-0 lead. Baltimore ultimately triumphed with a resounding 12-2 victory, showcasing their offensive prowess with a total of 14 hits, including six home runs.
O’Neill’s historic streak began in 2020 when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals. He homered in the season openers of 2021, 2022, and 2023 before continuing the streak with the Boston Red Sox in 2024. After last year’s Opening Day home run, O’Neill set the record at five consecutive seasons. Now, he has further separated himself from the pack.
“I guess it’s going to happen. I mean, the odds are pretty good for him to hit a homer on Opening Day,” said infielder Jackson Holliday, highlighting the expectations surrounding O’Neill’s performance. Catcher Adley Rutschman echoed this sentiment, noting that everyone anticipated the outcome.
Despite the mounting pressure of maintaining his record, O’Neill approached the game with a calm demeanor. “I’m just trying to not make too much of it,” he said. “Just trying to go out, have a good first at-bat, see what the game gives me from there.” His modesty shines through, as he insists that he is not trying to do anything extraordinary, simply focusing on his at-bats.
In addition to his home run, O’Neill finished the game with an impressive 3-for-3 performance, contributing three runs and three RBIs, along with two walks. He reached base in all five of his plate appearances, becoming the first player in Orioles history to have five or more plate appearances in his debut without recording an out.
O’Neill’s success on the field is complemented by his camaraderie off it. On the morning of the game, he brought two dozen donuts from the popular Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons to share with his teammates. “That’s the kind of guy he is. He takes care of everyone,” said starting pitcher Zach Eflin, emphasizing O’Neill’s team-oriented personality.
Manager Brandon Hyde expressed his excitement about O’Neill joining the Orioles, stating, “He’s a wonderful, wonderful person. To have the start that he has had for us, that’s going to be big.” The Orioles are looking to build on their previous season, where they finished with a record of 91-71, earning the top wild card spot in the American League.
O’Neill’s journey in the MLB has been marked by ups and downs. Over his eight-year career, he has maintained a batting average of .246 with a total of 110 home runs. Last season, he hit 31 home runs and recorded 61 RBIs while playing for the Red Sox. His signing with the Orioles this offseason came in the form of a lucrative three-year, $49.5 million deal.
As O’Neill stepped onto the field for the first time in Canada as a major league player, the stands were filled with family and friends cheering him on. The atmosphere was electric, and O’Neill couldn’t have asked for a better start to his season. “Very special,” he remarked after the game. “I had a great day so far, actually.”
With the record now firmly in his grasp, O’Neill reflected on the significance of his achievement. “I mean, it’s fun, right? It’s a good time, and it’s a fun streak, but I don’t really think too much of it anyway,” he said. “I already had the record last year, so today was just a little cherry on top.”
The baseball world is left to wonder how long O’Neill’s remarkable streak will last. As he continues to perform at such a high level, fans and analysts alike are eager to see what the rest of the season holds for this talented outfielder. With his unique ability to thrive on Opening Day, O’Neill has certainly made a name for himself in MLB history.
