In his second at-bat of the afternoon, Baltimore Orioles left fielder Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run home run to extend his MLB record for consecutive Opening Day home runs to six as the O’s beat the Toronto Blue Jays 12-2 in their first game of the season. While speaking to the media after the win, O’Neill admitted that the streak was on his mind.
“Yeah, it’s there. It’s there for sure,” he said. “I’m just trying not to make too much of it. Just trying to go up [and] have a good first at-bat and see what the game gives me from there. Obviously, I understand what’s going on, but [it’s] not like I’m trying to go up there and do anything crazy like that.”
O’Neill – a native of Burnaby, Canada – also acknowledged how it was exciting to play in front of family members who attended the game.
“Very special. I’ve had a great day so far, actually,” he said. “We’ve got family in town, so it’s fun to have everyone in person, as always. Playing in Toronto is always special for me.”
TYLER O’NEILL HAS HOMERED ON #OPENINGDAY IN SIX STRAIGHT SEASONS! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/0hE5YV87E7
— MLB (@MLB) March 27, 2025
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore’s All-Star catcher, smiled when asked about O’Neill’s performance after the game.
“Oh, I mean, I saw it. Everyone kind of knew,” he explained. “When he hit it, I think everyone was just going crazy because that’s just such an amazing feat… It was just so cool to see.”
“I guess it’s going to happen,” said Orioles infielder and former number-one-overall draft pick Jackson Holliday. “I mean, the odds are pretty good for him to hit a homer on Opening Day.”
Seventh-year Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde had high praise for O’Neill, who signed a three-year deal with the Orioles in free agency this off-season.
“What can you say about O’Neill? To come over and – his first game with us – to do something that’s so crazy with six games in a row, six opening-day homers, that’s mind-boggling,” Hyde said. “Just a great, great team effort today.”
Up next, the Orioles will play the Blue Jays later today at 7:07 p.m. EST in their second contest of the four-game series.
