Yankees All Time Top Opening Day Pitchers

Mar 18, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

With the New York Yankees announcement that Masahiro Tanaka will be their 2015 opening day pitcher, the Yankees ace joins an exclusive club. But of all the big names that have taken the mound for the Yankees on opening day, which ones have had the greatest success?

Rememeber, this isn’t an evaluation of who the Yankees best aces of all time are. Andy Pettitte, Whitey Ford, Red Ruffing, CC Sabathia. Those guys aren’t on this list. There are some Hall of Famers and legendary pitchers on this list, however, this isn’t a ranking of those.

Opening day isn’t the end all by all. It is the first game and in a way, it gives every fan base hope that this year can be there year.

Let’s see who the Yankees top five opening day starters are.

Jan 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks former pitcher Randy Johnson speaks at a press conference to discuss his induction into the baseball Hall of Fame at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Number Five: Randy Johnson.

The big unit is one of only three Yankee opening day starters, with two or more opening day decisions, that has a perfect record. His record was 2-0. Although he is often considered as an overall disappointment in pinstripes, his entire career was of course just the opposite. Johnson was a ten time all star, a four time ERA champion, a five time Cy Young winner and a nine time strike out champion. [related category]

And Johnson always maintained supreme confidence. Even as the expectations and the pressure of playing for the Yankees mounted, his belief in his ability never waivered.  ¨People who say they’re not nervous – I would be kind of curious to see how successful you are at what you do and how long you’ve done it,¨ he said according to BrainyQuote.com. ¨And what is success in your eyes? Have you separated yourself from everyone else in that craft? Or have you settled amongst the pack?¨

His 2-0 opening day record for the Yankees earns him fifth place in our ranking.

Mandatory Credit: http://www.encore-editions.com

Number Three: Bob Shawkey.

With his 3-1 record, Shawkey showed he had no problem handling the jitters of opening day. He had the distinction of being the first pitcher to pitch at Yankee Stadium, and the first pitcher to record a victory in the House That Ruth Built. Behind Ruth´s  three run homer and Shawkey´s complete game, the Yankees won 4-1. Shawkey was also a two time world series winner and the 1920 American ERA champion. He totaled 207 wins for his career with 1,360 strikeouts. He was also a five time 20 game winner. His 15 strikeouts in one game was the Yankees team record until Whitey Ford surpassed it. It had been a record that had stood for 59 years.

Shawkey also managed the Yankees in 1930. In 1976, as the Yankees unveiled the newly renovated Yankee Stadium, they invited him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. So, in a sense, he was the opening pitcher in Yankee Stadium twice.

Although his winning percentage is lower than Johnson´s and Larsen´s on opening day, he is given third place here due to his extra victory.

Mandatory Credit: thedeadballera.com

Number Two: Jack Chesbro.

In 1903, Chesbro joined the Highlanders and instantly became the staff ace. He won three of four opening day decisions in all. Unconfirmed reports credit him with being the first Yankee to throw a spitball. He also was one of the first Yankees to experiment with a floater. Chesbro won 14 straight decisions which was the team record until Roger Clemens broke it in 2001. He also held the team single season strike out record with 239, until Ron Guidry eclipsed that in 1978.

Highlanders manager Clark Griffith said Chesbro knew where to turn when things looked bleak.”I still remember the first day he threw the thing (the spitter) in a regular game, Griffith said according to Baseballhall.org. We were playing Cleveland. He had a tough first inning. They hit him for three runs. He came back to the bench and said, ‘Griff, I haven’t got my natural stuff today. I’m going to have to give ‘em the spitter next inning, if it’s alright with you.’ I told him to go do and you know what? He fanned fourteen. They didn’t get another run and we won the game 4-3. ”

His 3-1 opening day record for the Yankees earns him second place in our ranking.

Jun 6, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays former manager Cito Gaston (left), catcher Ernie Whitt and pitcher Jimmy Key await opening ceremonies at Rogers Centre as the Jays celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of their stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Number One: Jimmy Key.

No Yankees pitcher enjoyed greater opening day success than Jimmy Key. He had three wins versus no defeats. He led the majors in wins in 1994, with 17 victories in the season that was shortened by the strike. In 1993, he struck 173 for the Yankees, the most of his career.

Of course, there are others who certainly deserve inclusion in the conversation. Mel Stottlemyre started seven times and won four. Whitey Ford started seven times with two wins. Lefty Gomez started six times, but only won twice. Red Ruffing started five times with three victories. Ron Guidry started six times without a victory. To be fair to Gator, he did have four no decisions. Roger Clemens started four times and won twice. Rounding out the honorable mention is CC Sabathia, who has six Yankees opening day starts with three defeats and three no decisions.

So now Tanaka is set to take the torch. ¨I do feel very honored to get all this attention, he said, also according to Brainyquote. ¨Basically, what I need to do is to go out there and perform. That’s what I’m intending to do.¨