Dodgers unveil their new era

Dodger Stadium showed off some improvements, Sandy Koufax made his return to Chavez Ravine to throw out the first pitch, and Clayton Kershaw shut out the Giants for the first win of the season — going all the way with just 94 pitches and no walks on opening day. Kershaw even clubbed his first career home run. The final score from the first April afternoon of baseball at the stadium: 4-0 Dodgers.

The Dodgers choreographed the pre-game Koufax moment. Magic Johnson stood in the center of the diamond, apparently preparing to throw the ceremonial first pitch. Instead, manager Don Mattingly strolled out from the dugout and signaled with his left arm. Out came the team's most celebrated lefthander to do the first-pitch honors. Koufax wore jeans and his number 32 jersey, still looking elegant at age 77 and 47 years since he threw his last pitch for real. Gary Leonard got a nice pic, above.

Carl Crawford, the Dodgers left fielder trying to come back from ligament surgery on his throwing elbow, started the game and had two hits in the leadoff spot in the lineup. If he's back after a couple of off years, and recovers much of his pre-injury talent level without getting hurt again, Crawford makes last year's trade with Boston look good and could be a key to the Dodgers season.