Tom Browning: My Favorite Opening Day Memory

In 1991, I hit a bases-loaded double late in the game to beat Mike Scott and the Houston Astros. I pitched well too! My first Opening Day start caught me off guard; I was more nervous than I expected. I struck the first batter out and my legs went numb. 55,000 screaming fans will do that to you. I didn't pitch past the 4th inning but we won.

 

Tom BrowningBio of Tom Browning
Former Cincinnati Reds Pitcher
1988 Pitched a Perfect Game

Tom Browning, the Cincinnati Reds' ninth-round pick in 1982, went 20-9 in 1985 to become the first major-league rookie to win 20 games in 31 years. Tom posted double-digit win totals from 1985-'91, and on Sept. 16, 1988, pitched the only perfect game in Reds history. During Cincinnati's championship season in 1990, Tom won 15 regular-season games and picked up pivotal victories in Game 2 of the NLCS and Game 3 of the Reds' World Series sweep of the heavily favored Oakland A's. In 1991 he was named an NL All-Star after a 10-4 start to the season. Tom's career was ultimately cut short when he broke his arm delivering a pitch in 1994. He finished his career with a 123-90 record, 3.94 ERA and 1,000 strikeouts. In December 2005, he led fan balloting wire-to-wire to earn a 2006 induction into the Reds Hall of Fame. His book, "Tom Browning's Tales from the Reds Dugout", debuted in March 2006 and chronicles and his entire career.

Tom Browning
Former Cincinnati Reds Pitcher and 1988 Perfect Game Pitcher