Baseball Almanac - 1879 National League Retirements

1879 National League Retirements

The baseball torch is passed from season to season and in some cases, from game to game. In 1911, Cy Young pitched his final Major League game, lost 1-0, and ended the final season of his career with a losing record of 7-9 and an ERA of 3.77. Young's opponent that particular day was a first-year pitcher named Grover Alexander who received the win, added to his league leading shutout total, and went on to begin his career with a winning record of 28-13 and an ERA of 2.57.

Bob Gibson, who was easily one of the most intense competitors of all time, gave up a grand slam to the last Major League hitter he faced, Pete LaCock of the Chicago Cubs. Fifteen years passed and when the two faced off during an old-timer's game, Gibson hit LaCock on his back with a fastball.

Babe Ruth summed it up when he responded to a question about retirement by saying, "A ballplayer should quit when it starts to feel as if all the baselines run uphill." Baseball Almanac is pleased to present a comprehensive list of National League League players who hung up their spikes in 1879.

"You are George Brett and all the cheering has stopped. The music is muted, the hour is late, and they will be taking the banners down and emptying your locker any minute now. As the late Jimmy Cannon would say it, 'All your bats are broken.'" - Broadcaster Jim Murray

National League Retirements
1879

# Name Team Pos Age

n/a George Adams Syracuse Stars OF 25

n/a Jack Allen Cleveland Blues 3B 24

n/a Jack Allen Syracuse Stars 3B 24

n/a Mike Burke Cincinnati Reds SS 26

n/a Tom Carey Cleveland Blues SS 34

n/a Aaron Clapp Troy Trojans 1B 23

n/a Fred Gunkle Cleveland Blues OF 22

n/a Bill Hague Providence Grays 3B 28

n/a Hickey Hoffman Cleveland Blues C 26

n/a Kick Kelly Syracuse Stars C 23

n/a Kick Kelly Troy Trojans C 23

n/a Steve Libby Buffalo Bisons 1B 26

n/a John Magner Cincinnati Reds OF uk

n/a Pat McManus Troy Trojans P 20

n/a Cal McVey Cincinnati Reds 1B 30

n/a Charlie Osterhout Syracuse Stars OF 23

n/a Billy Riley Cleveland Blues OF 25

n/a John Stedronsky Chicago White Stockings 3B 29

n/a Sandy Taylor Troy Trojans OF uk

n/a Bill White Providence Grays 1B 19

n/a Red Woodhead Syracuse Stars 3B 28

# Name Team Pos Age

1879 National League Retirements

Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1879 season as this group of players bid farewell to their field's of dreams.

Stan Musial ended his Major League career on September 29, 1963. His final hit was a single during the sixth inning off Jim Maloney which drove in his last RBI (which was Curt Flood).

Did you know that future hall of fame pitcher Walter Johnson ended his Major League career in 1927 with a pinch-hit appearance? During the final game of the season pitcher Tom Zachary, who had just given up Babe Ruth's sixtieth home run of the season, was lifted and Johnson replaced him at the plate.

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