Historical first: Hall-of-Famers Paul Molitor, Ryne Sandberg managerial foes

Paul Molitor and Ryne Sandberg crossed paths a lot over the years – in spring training, at All-Star Games, up in Cooperstown.

When they met in front of the mound Monday in Clearwater, Florida, to simultaneously toss out ceremonial first pitches, the longtime pals made history.

It was believed to be the first time already elected Hall of Famers had managed against each other in a big league game. Sandberg and the Philadelphia Phillies won this matchup, beating Molitor and the Minnesota Twins 3-0.

“The fact that it’s never happened before is kind of an interesting little piece of trivia, but for me, it’s more about managing against a friend,” Molitor had said, sitting next to Sandberg in the dugout.

This is the only exhibition game this year between the Phillies and Twins, and they don’t meet in the regular season. Both managers signed the first-pitch ball, which will be taken to Cooperstown, New York.

Scherzer in opener

Max Scherzer will start the Washington Nationals’ opener on April 6 against the Mets, not Stephen Strasburg.

Starting a $210 million, seven-year contract, Scherzer will be making his first opening-day start. Strasburg had pitched the last three openers for the Nationals.

Manager Matt Williams said there were “lots of reasons” for picking Scherzer.

Williams said he spoke with Strasburg about the opening-day start, approaching him with “honesty.”

“I can tell you this, to a man: The guys who are actually throwing the baseball, they don’t much care about it,” Williams said. “They just want the ball every fifth day.”

Clearing the bases

Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he doesn’t expect slugger Nick Swisher to be ready for the team’s April 6 season opener at Houston. Swisher underwent surgery on both knees in August and only began running the bases last week. … Texas released reliever Joe Beimel after the left-hander struggled this spring. Pitcher Spencer Patton and catcher Tomas Telis were optioned to Triple-A And catcher Jorge Alfaro was optioned to Double-A. First baseman Kyle Blanks, third baseman Joey Gallo, outfielder Jared Hoying and right-hander David Martinez were assigned to minor league camp.