Mark Mulder, slugger

Quick - what do Mark Mulder and “Tacky” Tom Parrott have in common? They’re the only two pitchers in major league history to hit a home run and earn the victory in the inaugural game at a new ballpark. Mulder pitched eight strong innings, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out five Brewers in a 6-4 Cardinals win at Busch. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate, with a double and a two-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Cards a 6-2 lead. The homer proved decisive, as Braden Looper and Jason Isringhausen combined to give back two runs in the ninth.

And Tacky Tom? He earned the win in the Cincinnati Reds’ 10-6 victory over the Chicago Colts on April 20, 1894, in the first game played in the second iteration of League Park. He also homered for the red stockings that day, and went on to post a 17-19 record in 41 games, hitting .323 in 229 at bats, getting playing time at every position but catcher. On September 28, 1894, Parrott hit for the cycle against the New York Giants. Unfortunately for Parrott, the next day was memorable for other reasons:

Tom had one of his most memorable days on September 28, 1894, when he connected for the cycle in a game against the New York Giants. The very next day was memorable for less positive reasons. Due to pitch the first game of a double-header, Parrott reported for duty midway through the game. Pitching the second game instead, Parrott was about the start the second inning when, responding to a bit of encouragement from Arlie Latham, the Reds’ third baseman and captain, Parrott got in a heated argument with Latham, ultimately refusing to pitch further. He was ordered off the field and suspended for the duration of the season. The local Sporting News correspondent was fed up: “Parrott has been kindly treated by the patrons of the game in this city, and very often he did not deserve it. He wanted to be known as a clown, and in this role he was a dismal failure.”

Returning to the 2006 Cards, Mulder’s day was the most memorable, but not the only performance of note. Albert Pujols hit a towering drive to left that barely stayed in the park - it cleared the fence, but nearly left the stadium entirely. Pujols is likely to hit one onto Clark Avenue eventually. Scott Rolen made the play of the game, a diving stop followed by a strong throw from his knees to first. Rolen also hit the two-run double that put the Cards in front for good.

But in the end, the first game at New Busch Stadium was about the fans and about Mulder.