Baseball Almanac - 1950 National League Retirements

1950 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 1950.

"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

National League Retirements
1950

# Name Team Pos Age

22 Mickey Haefner Boston Braves P 38

22 Walt Linden Boston Braves C 27

26 Normie Roy Boston Braves P 22

18 Emil Verban Boston Braves 2B 35

31 Bucky Walters Boston Braves P 42

11 Jack Banta Brooklyn Dodgers P 25

26 Rex Barney Brooklyn Dodgers P 26

11 Al Epperly Brooklyn Dodgers P 33

35 Mal Mallette Brooklyn Dodgers P 29

23 Pat McGlothin Brooklyn Dodgers P 30

33 Jim Romano Brooklyn Dodgers P 24

23 Doyle Lade Chicago Cubs P 30

7 Emil Verban Chicago Cubs 2B 35

96 Bill Voiselle Chicago Cubs P 32

38 Jay Avrea Cincinnati Reds P 30

25 Marv Rackley Cincinnati Reds PH 29

30 Kirby Higbe New York Giants P 36

26 Pete Milne New York Giants PH 26

20 Nap Reyes New York Giants 1B 31

14 Rudy Rufer New York Giants SS 24

39 Roy Weatherly New York Giants OF 36

16 Johnny Blatnik Philadelphia Phillies OF 30

38 Frank Barrett Pittsburgh Pirates P 37

24 Bob Chesnes Pittsburgh Pirates P 30

3 Dale Coogan Pittsburgh Pirates 1B 20

11 Nanny Fernandez Pittsburgh Pirates 3B 32

37 Harry Gumbert Pittsburgh Pirates P 41

28 Vic Lombardi Pittsburgh Pirates P 28

30 Frank Papish Pittsburgh Pirates P 33

13 Bill Pierro Pittsburgh Pirates P 25

13 Marv Rickert Pittsburgh Pirates OF 30

37 Ed Stevens Pittsburgh Pirates 1B 26

10 Earl Turner Pittsburgh Pirates C 28

35 Johnny Blatnik St. Louis Cardinals OF 30

29 Danny Gardella St. Louis Cardinals PH 31

39 Fred Martin St. Louis Cardinals P 35

40 Ed Mierkowicz St. Louis Cardinals PH 27

33 Eddie Miller St. Louis Cardinals SS 34

# Name Team Pos Age

1950 National League Retirements

Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1950 season as this group of players bid farewell to their field's of dreams.

On July 28, 1976, Blue Moon Odom pitched the final five innings of his Major League career. He was relieved by Francisco Barrios in the sixth inning and the two White Sox combined to pitch a 2-1 no-hitter versus the Oakland Athletics.

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.

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