Rick Mahler blanks the Phillies on April 7, 1987, 6-0, for his third Opening Day shutout. He would go on to complete four of them. The Braves’ right-hander ties a National League record with his trio of whitewashes, shared by Rip Sewell (Pirates, 1943, 1947, 1949) and Chris Short (Phillies – 1965, 1968 and 1970).
Mahler played for the Atlanta Braves(1979–1988, 1991), Cincinnati Reds (1989–1990) and Montreal Expos (1991). His brother Mickey was also a major league pitcher, with the two being teammates in 1979. The two had previously been teammates playing for the Triple-A Richmond Braves.
In his 13-year career, Mahler posted a 96–111 record with 952 strikeouts and a 3.99 ERA in 1951.1 innings.
Born in Austin, Texas, Mahler graduated from John Jay High School and then attended Trinity University, both in San Antonio, Texas. After being signed by the Braves as an amateur free agent in 1975, he made his debut in the 1979 season.
Mahler started on opening day for the Braves in 1982, when Atlanta won the National League West title. He made four straight opening day starts beginning in 1985. In 1987, he tied an NL record with his third opening day shutout. His best season came in 1985, when he went 17-15 with a 3.48 ERA. He pitched twice in the postseason, with the Braves in 1982, and with the 1990 World Series champion Cincinnati Reds. Mahler was a key member of that Reds’ pitching staff as a spot starter and reliever, going 7–6 and contributing four saves. He also appeared in ten games with the Montreal Expos in 1991 before returning to Atlanta in mid-season.
The History of the Atlanta Braves 