Opening Day lineups tend to feel memorable in the moment—but give it a few years, and even devoted fans might struggle to recall who was actually on the field.
Aug 18, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets pinch hitter Kevin Pillar (11) takes his turn at bat against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
For the New York Mets, the past five seasons have included their fair share of surprising—or easily forgotten—Opening Day starters. While some names remain obvious, others have quietly faded from memory.
Here's a look at one under-the-radar starter from each of the last five Opening Days.
2021 – Kevin Pillar (Center Field)
Kevin Pillar's time with the Mets is easy enough to remember, but his role on Opening Day might not be.
In a somewhat unusual alignment, the Mets prioritized defense, placing Pillar in center field while shifting Brandon Nimmo to left. That decision also kept Dominic Smith out of the lineup, making Pillar's presence a notable—but often forgotten—choice.
2022 – Robinson Canó (Second Base)
Robinson Canó is certainly not a forgotten name—but his brief 2022 Mets stint is easy to overlook.
After missing all of 2021 due to suspension, Canó returned and was immediately placed in the Opening Day lineup. However, his comeback was short-lived, as he appeared in just 12 games before the team moved on.
2023 – Omar Narváez (Catcher)
Before Francisco Álvarez took over as the Mets' primary catcher, Omar Narváez was given the Opening Day nod.
His season quickly derailed due to injury, limiting him to just a handful of early games. By the time he returned midseason, Álvarez had already seized control of the position, leaving Narváez as more of a secondary piece.
2024 – DJ Stewart (Designated Hitter)
The 2024 season didn't begin the way it's remembered.
While names like Sean Manaea and Luis Severino became more prominent over time, DJ Stewart was the Opening Day designated hitter. With J.D. Martinez signing late and unavailable to start the season, Stewart filled the role early before settling into a more complementary position.
2025 – Luisangel Acuña (Second Base)
As recently as last season, Luisangel Acuña was in the Opening Day lineup.
Injuries forced the Mets to dip into their depth chart, giving Acuña the start at second base. He made the most of the opportunity early, even earning Rookie of the Month honors in April. However, reduced playing time later in the season caused his overall numbers to dip, making his Opening Day role easier to forget.
Opening Day always feels significant—but as these examples show, not every starter leaves a lasting imprint.
For the Mets, those early-season decisions often reflect circumstance as much as strategy—and sometimes, they become little more than trivia just a year or two later.