1887 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."
"You never forget your first hit in the Major Leagues. It was in my third at bat. That was kind of a relief. You could start off 0-for-34." - Ralph Kiner
National League Debuts

1887

n/a Kid Madden 1887 Boston Beaneaters 05-06-1887 20
n/a Tom O'Rourke 1887 Boston Beaneaters 05-11-1887 21
n/a Bobby Wheelock 1887 Boston Beaneaters 05-19-1887 22
n/a Mark Baldwin 1887 Chicago White Stockings 05-02-1887 23
n/a Tom Daly 1887 Chicago White Stockings 04-30-1887 21
n/a Emil Geiss 1887 Chicago White Stockings 05-18-1887 20
n/a Bob Pettit 1887 Chicago White Stockings 09-03-1887 26
n/a Charlie Sprague 1887 Chicago White Stockings 09-17-1887 22
n/a Marty Sullivan 1887 Chicago White Stockings 04-30-1887 24
n/a Patsy Tebeau 1887 Chicago White Stockings 09-20-1887 22
n/a George Van Haltren 1887 Chicago White Stockings 06-27-1887 21
n/a Ed Beatin 1887 Detroit Wolverines 08-02-1887 20
n/a Bill Burke 1887 Detroit Wolverines 07-20-1887 0
n/a Henry Gruber 1887 Detroit Wolverines 07-28-1887 23
n/a Fred Fass 1887 Indianapolis Hoosiers 07-11-1887 27
n/a Henry Jackson 1887 Indianapolis Hoosiers 09-13-1887 26
n/a Doc Leitner 1887 Indianapolis Hoosiers 08-10-1887 21
n/a Hank Morrison 1887 Indianapolis Hoosiers 05-28-1887 21
n/a Mark Polhemus 1887 Indianapolis Hoosiers 07-13-1887 26
n/a John Sowders 1887 Indianapolis Hoosiers 06-28-1887 20
n/a Willard Brown 1887 New York Giants 05-10-1887 21
n/a Roger Carey 1887 New York Giants 07-09-1887 22
n/a Bill George 1887 New York Giants 05-11-1887 22
n/a Mike Mattimore 1887 New York Giants 05-03-1887 28
n/a Pat Murphy 1887 New York Giants 09-02-1887 30
n/a John Rainey 1887 New York Giants 08-25-1887 23
n/a John Roach 1887 New York Giants 05-14-1887 19
n/a Bill Swarback 1887 New York Giants 07-09-1887 19
n/a Mike Tiernan 1887 New York Giants 04-30-1887 20
n/a Harry Lyons 1887 Philadelphia Phillies 08-29-1887 21
n/a Ed Beecher 1887 Pittsburgh Alleghenys 06-28-1887 27
n/a Jocko Fields 1887 Pittsburgh Alleghenys 05-31-1887 22
n/a Bill Wright 1887 Washington Senators 09-16-1887 0
1887 National League Debuts


 

Find out which players bid farewell to their field's of dreams in the National League during the 1887 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."

Did you know that Future hall of famer Addie Joss made his Major League pitching debut on April 26, 1902 and tossed a one hitter?
     

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