1972 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 1972.

"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

1972

7 Gil Garrido Atlanta Braves 2B 31
27 Jim Hardin Atlanta Braves P 29
23 Larry Jaster Atlanta Braves P 29
30 Denny McLain Atlanta Braves P 29
23 Jim Nash Atlanta Braves P 28
17 Frank Coggins Chicago Cubs PH 29
34 Clint Compton Chicago Cubs P 22
47 Frank Fernandez Chicago Cubs C 30
37 Steve Hamilton Chicago Cubs P 37
12 J.C. Martin Chicago Cubs C 36
30 Dan McGinn Chicago Cubs P 29
29 Al Montreuil Chicago Cubs 2B 29
36 Tom Phoebus Chicago Cubs P 31
27 Phil Regan Chicago Cubs P 36
24 Art Shamsky Chicago Cubs 1B 31
39 Joe Gibbon Cincinnati Reds P 38
17 Julian Javier Cincinnati Reds 3B 36
7 Sonny Ruberto Cincinnati Reds C 27
22 Ted Uhlaender Cincinnati Reds OF 32
36 Wade Blasingame Houston Astros P 29
37 Joe Gibbon Houston Astros P 38
8 Jack Hiatt Houston Astros C 30
5 Jim Lefebvre Los Angeles Dodgers 2B 31
9 Terry McDermott Los Angeles Dodgers 1B 22
46 Pete Mikkelsen Los Angeles Dodgers P 33
28 Wes Parker Los Angeles Dodgers 1B 33
29 Jose Pena Los Angeles Dodgers P 30
31 Hoyt Wilhelm Los Angeles Dodgers P 50
30 Maury Wills Los Angeles Dodgers SS 40
2 John Bateman Montreal Expos C 32
23 Denny Lemaster Montreal Expos P 34
7 Bobby Wine Montreal Expos 3B 34
44 Bob Rauch New York Mets P 23
6 John Bateman Philadelphia Phillies C 32
24 Byron Browne Philadelphia Phillies OF 30
35 Dave Downs Philadelphia Phillies P 20
12 Pete Koegel Philadelphia Phillies 1B 25
42 Jim Nash Philadelphia Phillies P 28
21 Ron Stone Philadelphia Phillies OF 30
38 Bob Terlecki Philadelphia Phillies P 28
21 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates OF 38
9 Bill Mazeroski Pittsburgh Pirates 2B 36
37 Ed Acosta San Diego Padres P 29
3 Curt Blefary San Diego Padres C 29
1 Mike Fiore San Diego Padres PH 28
7 Joe Goddard San Diego Padres C 22
12 Garry Jestadt San Diego Padres 2B 26
36 Tom Phoebus San Diego Padres P 31
31 Rafael Robles San Diego Padres SS 25
44 Mark Schaeffer San Diego Padres P 24
42 Al Severinsen San Diego Padres P 28
36 Steve Simpson San Diego Padres P 24
7 Ed Spiezio San Diego Padres 3B 31
42 Ron Taylor San Diego Padres P 35
18 Russ Gibson San Francisco Giants C 34
41 Frank Reberger San Francisco Giants P 28
16 Ron Allen St. Louis Cardinals 1B 29
21 Brant Alyea St. Louis Cardinals OF 32
16 Donn Clendenon St. Louis Cardinals 1B 37
25 Tony Cloninger St. Louis Cardinals P 32
28 Moe Drabowsky St. Louis Cardinals P 37
10 Mike Fiore St. Louis Cardinals 1B 28
31 Joe Grzenda St. Louis Cardinals P 35
36 Santiago Guzman St. Louis Cardinals P 23
37 Dennis Higgins St. Louis Cardinals P 33
11 Marty Martinez St. Louis Cardinals SS 31
56 Tim Plodinec St. Louis Cardinals P 26
44 Don Shaw St. Louis Cardinals P 29
17 Bill Voss St. Louis Cardinals OF 29
1972 National League Retirements



Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1972 season as this group of players bid farewell to their field's of dreams.

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.

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.