Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill has homered on Opening Day for six consecutive years, setting an AL/NL record. He hopes to extend the streak to seven when the Orioles host the Twins at Camden Yards to open the 2026 season. O’Neill views it as extra motivation amid his preparations for a rebound year.
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Tyler O’Neill, a 30-year-old Canadian outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, holds the American League/National League record with home runs in his team’s opening game over the past six seasons. The streak began earlier and continued with the Cardinals in 2023, the Red Sox in 2024, and his Orioles debut in Toronto in 2025, surpassing the previous mark of four shared by Todd Hundley (1994-97), Gary Carter (1977-80), and Yogi Berra (1955-58). Next Thursday’s opener against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards offers a chance for a seventh. “It’s more icing on the cake,” O’Neill said with a smile. He acknowledged the pressure: “It’s an elephant in the room... We’ve got 161 games to go after that. It’s just all about having a good time.” The Twins may start right-hander Joe Ryan, against whom O’Neill went 1-for-2 with a solo homer on Aug. 2, 2023, while with St. Louis. After signing a three-year, $49.5 million contract before 2025, O’Neill appeared in only 54 games due to three injured list stints, batting .199 with nine homers and a .684 OPS. The Orioles finished 75-87, last in the AL East. This spring, he hit .636 (7-for-11) with a double, homer, three RBIs, and 1.692 OPS in five Grapefruit League games before the World Baseball Classic, then added a two-run single against the Yankees before rain halted play. Baltimore has bolstered its lineup by signing Pete Alonso and acquiring Taylor Ward. O’Neill plans no changes to his approach: “Just trying to see a good pitch over the plate and execute a good swing on it.” He expressed readiness to shift from spring training.
