Baseball Almanac - 1940 American League Retirements

1940 American 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 American League League players who hung up their spikes in 1940.

"I want to hit a routine grounder to second and run all out to first base, then get thrown out by a half step. I want to leave an example to the young guys that that's how you play the game, all out." - George Brett

American League Retirements
1940

# Name Team Pos Age

3, 18 Zeke Bonura Washington Senators 1B 32

2 Jackie Hayes Chicago White Sox 2B 34

33 Scat Metha Detroit Tigers 2B 27

12 Joe Gantenbein Philadelphia Athletics 3B 24

15 Charlie Gelbert Boston Red Sox 3B 35

6 Marv Owen Boston Red Sox 3B 35

26 Joe Glenn Boston Red Sox C 32

29 Dick Hahn Washington Senators C 24

22, 39 Buddy Hancken Philadelphia Athletics C 26

8 Sam Harshaney St. Louis Browns C 31

24 Red Nonnenkamp Boston Red Sox PH 30

16 Joe Gallagher St. Louis Browns OF 27

30 Slick Coffman St. Louis Browns P 30

27 Bill Cox St. Louis Browns P 27

20 Oral Hildebrand New York Yankees P 34

17 Bucky Jacobs Washington Senators P 28

20 Roxie Lawson St. Louis Browns P 35

14 Carl Miles Philadelphia Athletics P 23

22 Lefty Mills St. Louis Browns P 31

28 Alex Mustaikis Boston Red Sox P 32

25 Lynn Nelson Detroit Tigers P 36

17 Cotton Pippen Detroit Tigers P 30

29 Clay Smith Detroit Tigers P 26

- Lou Thuman Washington Senators P 24

- Bob Uhl Detroit Tigers P 27

3 Lyn Lary St. Louis Browns SS 35

3 Bill Lillard Philadelphia Athletics SS 23

21 Charlie Gelbert Washington Senators SS 35

# Name Team Pos Age

1940 American League Retirements

Find out which players made their Major League debut in the American League during the 1940 season as this group of players bid farewell to their field's of dreams.

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.

Hank Aaron ended his Major League career on October 3, 1976, with a sharp single during the sixth inning off Dave Roberts of the Detroit Tigers.

Copyright © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Design by Geisler Young. Hosted by Hosting 4 Less.
Part of the Baseball Almanac family: 755 Home Runs | Baseball Box Scores | Baseball Fever | Today in Baseball History.