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Nebraska Cornhuskers: Pair of former Huskers square off on opening day

By Oliver Vandervoort

May 6, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Aaron Bummer (39) delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Aaron Bummer (39) delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Two former Nebraska Cornhuskers ended up facing off, in a way on opening day for the Chicago Whitesox and Houston Astros in their first game

Major League baseball’s opening day finally arrived on Thursday and for the first time in quite a while, every single team played on the same day in order to open the season. Among the players who had the honor of playing in a game on the 2023 opening day were two former Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Not only did Jake Meyers and Aaron Bummer both get into their respective teams’ first games of the season, but the two former Nebraska Cornhuskers even faced off against each other. While there’s nothing official out there at the moment, it certainly feels as though this was the first time that a former Husker pitcher faced a former Husker batter on opening day.

Sadly, when two players face off against one another, one has to get the better of the other. And that was certainly the case on Thursday night.

Bummer’s Chicago Whitesox went up against Meyers’ Houston Astros, and the former Nebraska Cornhuskers reliever’s team managed to come out the victor. Bummer also got a bit of bragging rights as he managed to strike out Meyers to end a seventh-inning rally with the bases loaded.

Bummer entered the game after Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease hit Yordan Alvarez with a pitch and then gave up a single to Jose Abreu in a 0-0 game. Bummer had a bit of an up-and-down inning, walking the first batter he faced in Kyle Tucker to load the bases.

However, the former Nebraska Cornhuskers star looked like he might be righting the ship as he struck out Yainer Diaz. That’s when Meyers strode up to the plate with bases loaded and two out. Bummer then threw a wild pitch, allowing the Astros to take a 1-0 lead. The Whitesox reliever then regained his composure and struck out Meyers.

While the inning was a bit of a bummer for Bummer because he allowed the go-ahead run, his teammates ended up picking him up and saving him from a loss as they rallied to win 3-2.

Despite the loss, Meyers’ night wasn’t all bad. He started in center field for Houston on opening day for the first time in his career. While he went hitless and struck out twice, the night still had to be quite special for the young former Nebraska Cornhuskers star.

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