1934 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 1934.

"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

1934

14 Charlie Wiedemeyer Chicago Cubs P 21
- Bert Hogg Brooklyn Dodgers 3B 22
23 Tony Robello Cincinnati Reds PH 22
- Junie Barnes Cincinnati Reds P 23
12 Linc Blakely Cincinnati Reds OF 23
34 Fred Frink Philadelphia Phillies OF 23
23 Dan McGee Boston Braves SS 23
19 Whitey Wistert Cincinnati Reds P 23
27 Francis Healy St. Louis Cardinals C 24
50 Lloyd Johnson Pittsburgh Pirates P 24
31 Bill Marshall Cincinnati Reds 2B 24
26 Clarence Pickrel Boston Braves P 24
- Sherman Edwards Cincinnati Reds P 25
12 Jimmy Shevlin Cincinnati Reds 1B 25
26 Ray Lucas Brooklyn Dodgers P 26
- Steamboat Struss Pittsburgh Pirates P 26
44 Reggie Grabowski Philadelphia Phillies P 27
24 Dick Gyselman Boston Braves 3B 27
27 Clarence Heise St. Louis Cardinals P 27
- Beryl Richmond Cincinnati Reds P 27
49 Cy Malis Philadelphia Phillies P 28
28 Jim Mooney St. Louis Cardinals P 28
20 Glenn Chapman Brooklyn Dodgers OF 29
41 Don Hurst Chicago Cubs 1B 29
24 Don Hurst Philadelphia Phillies 1B 29
25 Irv Jeffries Philadelphia Phillies 2B 29
21 Phil Page Brooklyn Dodgers P 29
23 Charlie Perkins Brooklyn Dodgers P 29
11 Ivey Shiver Cincinnati Reds OF 29
35 Pat Veltman Pittsburgh Pirates C 29
7 Red Worthington Boston Braves OF 29
31 Red Worthington St. Louis Cardinals PH 29
48 Cy Moore Philadelphia Phillies P 30
21 Harry Smythe Brooklyn Dodgers P 30
41 George Darrow Philadelphia Phillies P 31
15 Ownie Carroll Brooklyn Dodgers P 32
26 Homer Peel New York Giants OF 32
14 Wally Roettger Pittsburgh Pirates OF 32
34 Art Ruble Philadelphia Phillies OF 32
24 Fresco Thompson New York Giants PH 32
11 Pat Crawford St. Louis Cardinals 3B 33
5 Jake Flowers Cincinnati Reds PH 33
1 Johnny Frederick Brooklyn Dodgers OF 33
7 Wes Schulmerich Cincinnati Reds OF 33
35 Wes Schulmerich Philadelphia Phillies OF 33
11 Bennie Tate Chicago Cubs C 33
23 Bud Clancy Philadelphia Phillies 1B 34
18 Jumbo Elliott Boston Braves P 34
43 Jumbo Elliott Philadelphia Phillies P 34
22 George Grantham New York Giants 1B 35
46 Ed Holley Philadelphia Phillies P 35
- Ed Holley Pittsburgh Pirates P 35
22 Harry McCurdy Cincinnati Reds 1B 35
28 Marty McManus Boston Braves 2B 35
22 Joe Shaute Cincinnati Reds P 35
4 Hack Wilson Brooklyn Dodgers OF 35
34 Hack Wilson Philadelphia Phillies OF 35
15 Hi Bell New York Giants P 37
32 Harvey Hendrick Philadelphia Phillies OF 37
23 Andy High Philadelphia Phillies 3B 37
5 Riggs Stephenson Chicago Cubs OF 37
25 Clyde Manion Cincinnati Reds C 38
16 Lefty O'Doul New York Giants OF 38
41 Heinie Meine Pittsburgh Pirates P 39
4 Sparky Adams Cincinnati Reds 3B 40
21 Ray Kolp Cincinnati Reds P 40
37, 23 Burleigh Grimes Pittsburgh Pirates P 41
20 Burleigh Grimes St. Louis Cardinals P 41
1934 National League Retirements



Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1934 season as this group of players bid farewell to their field's of dreams.

On September 28, 1960, broadcaster Curt Gowdy uttered, "It's got a chance. It's got a chance. And it's gone!" Those words were used to describe the final at-bat of slugger Ted Williams.

Goose Goslin played for eighteen seasons and averaged one-hundred twenty-seven games played per season. In 1938, during his final at-bat, he twisted his back and was replaced at the plate by a pinch-hitter for the first time in his Major League career.