1957 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 1957.

"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

1957

22 Tom Alston St. Louis Cardinals 1B 32
36 Vicente Amor Cincinnati Redlegs P 25
16 Frank Baumholtz Philadelphia Phillies PH 39
12 Marv Blaylock Philadelphia Phillies 1B 28
39 Roy Campanella Brooklyn Dodgers C 36
12 Dick Cole Milwaukee Braves 2B 32
49 Sandy Consuegra New York Giants P 37
30 Walker Cooper St. Louis Cardinals C 43
38 Jim Davis New York Giants P 33
26 Jim Davis St. Louis Cardinals P 33
31 Whammy Douglas Pittsburgh Pirates P 23
19 Bobby Durnbaugh Cincinnati Redlegs SS 25
1 Jim Fanning Chicago Cubs C 30
50 Glen Gorbous Philadelphia Phillies PH 27
50 Chuck Harmon Philadelphia Phillies OF 34
24 Chuck Harmon St. Louis Cardinals OF 34
23 Bobby Hofman New York Giants PH 32
16 Dave Jolly Milwaukee Braves P 33
25 Nippy Jones Milwaukee Braves 1B 32
45 Don Kaiser Chicago Cubs P 23
19 Bill Kennedy Cincinnati Redlegs P 37
49 Bob Kennedy Brooklyn Dodgers OF 37
8 John Kennedy Philadelphia Phillies 3B 31
29 Nellie King Pittsburgh Pirates P 30
37 Bob Kuzava Pittsburgh Pirates P 35
46 Bob Kuzava St. Louis Cardinals P 35
31, 46 Don Lassetter St. Louis Cardinals OF 25
9 Bob Lennon Chicago Cubs OF 29
6, 39 Jack Littrell Chicago Cubs SS 29
40 Lynn Lovenguth St. Louis Cardinals P 35
38 Joe Margoneri New York Giants P 28
40 Windy McCall New York Giants P 32
43 Lloyd Merritt St. Louis Cardinals P 25
39 Ed Mickelson Chicago Cubs 1B 31
50 Rod Miller Brooklyn Dodgers PH 18
19 Red Murff Milwaukee Braves P 37
26 Ron Northey Philadelphia Phillies PH 38
31 Laurin Pepper Pittsburgh Pirates P 27
29 Tom Poholsky Chicago Cubs P 28
5 Buddy Pritchard Pittsburgh Pirates SS 22
10 Dick Rand Pittsburgh Pirates C 27
26 Saul Rogovin Philadelphia Phillies P 34
21 Andy Seminick Philadelphia Phillies C 37
56 Ray Shearer Milwaukee Braves OF 28
8 Charlie Silvera Chicago Cubs C 33
45 Dave Skaugstad Cincinnati Redlegs P 18
36 Max Surkont New York Giants P 35
35 Red Swanson Pittsburgh Pirates P 21
36 Joe Trimble Pittsburgh Pirates P 27
49 Rene Valdes Brooklyn Dodgers P 28
9 Wes Westrum New York Giants C 35
12 Ed Winceniak Chicago Cubs SS 29
1957 National League Retirements



Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1957 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.

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.