1954 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 1954.

"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

1954

5 Chuck Kress Brooklyn Dodgers 1B 33
25 Bob Milliken Brooklyn Dodgers P 28
28 Preacher Roe Brooklyn Dodgers P 39
29 Don Thompson Brooklyn Dodgers OF 31
11 Joe Garagiola Chicago Cubs C 29
12 Chris Kitsos Chicago Cubs SS 27
48 Luis Marquez Chicago Cubs OF 29
34 John Pyecha Chicago Cubs P 23
28 Hal Rice Chicago Cubs OF 31
52 Don Robertson Chicago Cubs OF 24
1 Bill Serena Chicago Cubs 3B 30
10 Bob Talbot Chicago Cubs OF 27
28 Jim Willis Chicago Cubs P 28
38 Bob Zick Chicago Cubs P 28
31, 53 Karl Drews Cincinnati Redlegs P 35
21 Nino Escalera Cincinnati Redlegs OF 25
47 Howie Judson Cincinnati Redlegs P 29
15 Johnny Lipon Cincinnati Redlegs PH 32
19 Dick Murphy Cincinnati Redlegs PH 23
36 Mario Picone Cincinnati Redlegs P 28
36 Ken Raffensberger Cincinnati Redlegs P 37
31 Cliff Ross Cincinnati Redlegs P 26
19 Connie Ryan Cincinnati Redlegs PH 35
42 Moe Savransky Cincinnati Redlegs P 26
8, 42 Sam Calderone Milwaukee Braves C 29
27 Catfish Metkovich Milwaukee Braves 1B 34
7 Billy Queen Milwaukee Braves OF 26
13 Sibby Sisti Milwaukee Braves PR 34
36 Joe Garagiola New York Giants C 29
41 Harvey Gentry New York Giants PH 29
38 Alex Konikowski New York Giants P 26
36 Mario Picone New York Giants P 28
5 Eric Rodin New York Giants OF 25
7 Ebba St. Claire New York Giants C 33
22 Karl Drews Philadelphia Phillies P 35
18 Johnny Lindell Philadelphia Phillies PH 38
44 Paul Penson Philadelphia Phillies P 23
17 Johnny Wyrostek Philadelphia Phillies OF 35
8 Gair Allie Pittsburgh Pirates SS 23
26 Gail Henley Pittsburgh Pirates OF 26
29 Johnny Hetki Pittsburgh Pirates P 33
25 Cal Hogue Pittsburgh Pirates P 27
31 Vic Janowicz Pittsburgh Pirates 3B 25
20 Sam Jethroe Pittsburgh Pirates OF 38
44 Luis Marquez Pittsburgh Pirates OF 29
23 George O'Donnell Pittsburgh Pirates P 26
00 Joe Page Pittsburgh Pirates P 37
13 Eddie Pellagrini Pittsburgh Pirates 3B 37
44 Hal Rice Pittsburgh Pirates OF 31
38 Len Yochim Pittsburgh Pirates P 26
39 Ralph Beard St. Louis Cardinals P 26
27 Al Brazle St. Louis Cardinals P 41
1 Pete Castiglione St. Louis Cardinals 3B 34
22 Cot Deal St. Louis Cardinals P 32
34 Bill Greason St. Louis Cardinals P 30
25 Royce Lint St. Louis Cardinals P 34
40 Memo Luna St. Louis Cardinals P 24
31 Carl Scheib St. Louis Cardinals P 28
26 Hal White St. Louis Cardinals P 36
21 Sal Yvars St. Louis Cardinals C 31
1954 National League Retirements



Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1954 season as this group of players bid farewell to their field's of dreams.

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.

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.