1885 National League Debuts

Willie Mays played his first Major League game on May 25, 1951, and went 0-for-5 at the plate. He started his career 1-for-25 and told his manager, "I can't do it, Mr. Leo. You better bench me."

Casey Stengel played his first Major League game on July 27, 1912, and went 4-for-4 at the plate. He commented later in his life, "I broke in with four hits and the writers promptly decided they had seen the new Ty Cobb. It took me only a few days to correct that impression."

Both Mays and Stengel would continue their Major League careers down separate paths of greatness, but each still had to appear in that memorable first Major League game. Baseball Almanac is pleased to present what Cubs broadcaster Steve Stone once described as, "His first Major League debut."
"Always be cautious about rookie performances in September. They don't indicate what will happen in April." - Texas Rangers General Manager Tom Grieve
National League Debuts

1885

n/a Bill Collver 1885 Boston Beaneaters 07-04-1885 18
n/a Bill Stemmyer 1885 Boston Beaneaters 10-03-1885 20
n/a Pop Tate 1885 Boston Beaneaters 09-26-1885 24
n/a Pete Conway 1885 Buffalo Bisons 08-10-1885 18
n/a Dennis Driscoll 1885 Buffalo Bisons 07-25-1885 22
n/a Gil Hatfield 1885 Buffalo Bisons 09-24-1885 30
n/a Charlie Ritter 1885 Buffalo Bisons 09-21-1885 0
n/a Joe Stabell 1885 Buffalo Bisons 09-19-1885 0
n/a Pete Wood 1885 Buffalo Bisons 07-15-1885 18
n/a Ted Kennedy 1885 Chicago White Stockings 06-12-1885 20
n/a Jimmy Ryan 1885 Chicago White Stockings 10-08-1885 22
n/a George Bryant 1885 Detroit Wolverines 08-06-1885 28
n/a Nate Kellogg 1885 Detroit Wolverines 08-27-1885 26
n/a Sam Thompson 1885 Detroit Wolverines 07-02-1885 25
n/a Ed Daily 1885 Philadelphia Phillies 05-04-1885 22
n/a John Hiland 1885 Philadelphia Phillies 08-20-1885 24
n/a Wiman Andrus 1885 Providence Grays 09-15-1885 26
n/a John Foley 1885 Providence Grays 09-18-1885 27
n/a Charlie Hallstrom 1885 Providence Grays 09-23-1885 21
n/a Denny Lyons 1885 Providence Grays 09-18-1885 19
n/a Ed Seward 1885 Providence Grays 09-30-1885 18
n/a Bill Stellberger 1885 Providence Grays 10-01-1885 20
n/a Johnny Ward 1885 Providence Grays 09-19-1885 23
n/a Billy Alvord 1885 St. Louis Maroons 04-30-1885 21
n/a John Fogarty 1885 St. Louis Maroons 09-18-1885 21
n/a John Healy 1885 St. Louis Maroons 09-11-1885 18
n/a Unknown Palmer 1885 St. Louis Maroons 05-28-1885 0
1885 National League Debuts


 

Find out which players bid farewell to their field's of dreams in the National League during the 1885 season as this group of players made their Major League debut!

Rich Amaral spent nine seasons in the Minor Leagues and upon his callup he commented, "I've been to every baseball park in America, except those in the American and National League."

On April 13, 1954, Hank Aaron made his Major League debut and went 0-for-5. However, in his own autobiography Aaron wrote that he went 0-for-4.
     

Baseball Almanac on Facebook

Copyright © 2000-2013. All Rights Reserved by Baseball-Almanac. Privacy Policy.Design by Geisler Young. Web hosting by Hosting 4 Less.
Part of the Baseball Almanac family: 755 Home Runs | Baseball Box Scores | Baseball Fever | Football Almanac | Pigskin Fever | Today in Baseball History.