You don’t need me to tell you the stat. You know the stat. You’ve heard the stat. You hear the stat every year, and this year is no exception. Next year will, almost surely, also not be the exception.
Since Barry Bonds’ final season in 2007, the Giants have had a different left fielder on Opening Day in every single year.
Technically that could change this year. With the team’s intended everyday left fielder, Mitch Haniger, beginning the year on the Injured List, and a right-hander in Gerrit Cole on the mound, Joc Pederson could repeat his placement from last year.