1975 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 1975.

"You are George Brett and all the cheering has stopped. The music is muted, the hour is late, and they will be taking the banners down and emptying your locker any minute now. As the late Jimmy Cannon would say it, 'All your bats are broken.'" - Broadcaster Jim Murray
 

American League Retirements

1975

11 Kim Andrew Boston Red Sox 2B 22
39 Jim Gideon Texas Rangers P 22
33 Tommy Bianco Milwaukee Brewers 3B 23
42 Art James Detroit Tigers OF 23
18 Bob Allietta California Angels C 24
20 Lafayette Currence Milwaukee Brewers P 24
5 John Doherty California Angels 1B 24
16 Morris Nettles California Angels OF 24
44 Luis Quintana California Angels P 24
3 Herb Washington Oakland Athletics PR 24
9 John Balaz California Angels OF 25
8 Rob Ellis Milwaukee Brewers OF 25
46 Chuck Hockenbery California Angels P 25
16 Tom Kelly Minnesota Twins 1B 25
2 Joe Lovitto Texas Rangers OF 25
37 Tom Makowski Detroit Tigers P 25
12 Gary Martz Kansas City Royals OF 25
26 Mike Poepping Minnesota Twins OF 25
40 Lloyd Allen Chicago White Sox P 26
41 Charlie Hudson California Angels P 26
27 Jack Pierce Detroit Tigers 1B 26
28 Ike Brookens Detroit Tigers P 27
23 Ray Corbin Minnesota Twins P 27
2 John Knox Detroit Tigers 2B 27
35 Dick Lange California Angels P 27
13 Tom Lundstedt Minnesota Twins C 27
49 Pat Osburn Milwaukee Brewers P 27
44 Joe Pactwa California Angels P 27
32 Bill Gogolewski Chicago White Sox P 28
5 Buddy Hunter Boston Red Sox 2B 28
32 Jim Hutto Baltimore Orioles C 28
26 Skip Pitlock Chicago White Sox P 28
7 Charlie Sands Oakland Athletics DH 28
24 Rick Bladt New York Yankees OF 29
10 Tom Egan California Angels C 29
10 Gene Lamont Detroit Tigers C 29
20 Eddie Leon New York Yankees SS 29
8 Jack Lind Milwaukee Brewers SS 29
11 Jerry Moses Chicago White Sox 1B 29
46 Ozzie Osborn Chicago White Sox P 29
23 Gaylen Pitts Oakland Athletics 3B 29
34 Bob Reynolds Baltimore Orioles P 29
40 Bob Reynolds Cleveland Indians P 29
34 Bob Reynolds Detroit Tigers P 29
29 Dave Sells California Angels P 29
44 Jim Strickland Cleveland Indians P 29
8 Billy Grabarkewitz Oakland Athletics 2B 30
25 Tom Robson Texas Rangers 1B 30
9 Bill Sudakis California Angels DH 30
4 Bill Sudakis Cleveland Indians 1B 30
25 Tony Conigliaro Boston Red Sox DH 31
47 Steve Blateric California Angels P 32
12 Johnny Briggs Milwaukee Brewers OF 32
2, 22 Johnny Briggs Minnesota Twins 1B 32
29 Chuck Dobson California Angels P 32
12 Winston Llenas California Angels 2B 32
16 Jim Merritt Texas Rangers P 32
17 Bobby Mitchell Milwaukee Brewers OF 32
13 Walt Williams New York Yankees OF 32
47 Fred Beene Cleveland Indians P 33
42 Bob Oliver New York Yankees 1B 33
34 Cecil Upshaw Chicago White Sox P 33
20 Ed Brinkman New York Yankees SS 34
3 Ed Brinkman Texas Rangers 3B 34
1 Ken Berry Cleveland Indians OF 35
14 Tommy McCraw Cleveland Indians 1B 35
25, 38 Clyde Wright Texas Rangers P 35
49 Bill Hands Texas Rangers P 36
3 Dick McAuliffe Boston Red Sox 3B 36
2 Jim Northrup Baltimore Orioles OF 36
41 Claude Osteen Chicago White Sox P 36
26 Gates Brown Detroit Tigers PH 37
19 Leo Cardenas Texas Rangers 3B 37
41 Dal Maxvill Oakland Athletics SS 37
16 Gene Michael Detroit Tigers SS 37
28 Vada Pinson Kansas City Royals OF 37
3 Harmon Killebrew Kansas City Royals DH 39
35 Sonny Siebert Oakland Athletics P 39
41 Lindy McDaniel Kansas City Royals P 40
31 Jim Perry Cleveland Indians P 40
36 Jim Perry Oakland Athletics P 40
28 Orlando Pena California Angels P 42
1975 American League Retirements



Find out which players made their Major League debut in the American League during the 1975 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.