The Boston Red Sox had a quiet offseason, but one player to watch is Tyler O’Neill. The outfielder, who spent his first six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, had an impressive 2021 campaign with a .286 batting average, 34 home runs, and 80 RBI. O’Neill finished eighth in National League MVP voting.
One interesting fact about O’Neill is his ability to hit a home run on Opening Day. He has accomplished this feat in four consecutive years, tying the record for the longest streak in MLB history. When the Red Sox open their 2024 season against the Mariners in Seattle, O’Neill has the opportunity to set a new record with a fifth consecutive Opening Day homer.
Despite his success on Opening Day, O’Neill has historically been a slow starter with a .228 batting average in March and April combined. However, if he can start the season strong, it could provide a significant boost to manager Alex Cora’s ballclub. With the Red Sox’s hopes of a playoff spot relying on a strong offense, O’Neill’s performance early in the season could set the tone for the team.
