1985 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 1985.

"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

1985

32 Johnny Abrego Chicago Cubs P 23
1 Ricky Adams San Francisco Giants SS 27
21 Bob Bailor Los Angeles Dodgers 3B 34
7 Kurt Bevacqua San Diego Padres 3B 39
47 Derek Botelho Chicago Cubs P 29
1 Larry Bowa Chicago Cubs SS 40
2 Larry Bowa New York Mets SS 40
26 Steve Braun St. Louis Cardinals OF 38
46 Tom Brennan Los Angeles Dodgers P 33
20 Bobby Brown San Diego Padres OF 32
41 Warren Brusstar Chicago Cubs P 34
4 Al Bumbry San Diego Padres OF 39
37 Rick Camp Atlanta Braves P 33
37 Bobby Castillo Los Angeles Dodgers P 31
11 Kelvin Chapman New York Mets 2B 29
28 Gerry Davis San Diego Padres OF 27
18 Miguel Dilone Montreal Expos OF 31
17 Miguel Dilone San Diego Padres OF 31
17 Jerry Dybzinski Pittsburgh Pirates SS 30
49 Steve Engel Chicago Cubs P 24
23 Doug Flynn Montreal Expos 2B 35
10 Tim Foli Pittsburgh Pirates SS 35
18 Kiko Garcia Philadelphia Phillies SS 32
19 Ron Gardenhire New York Mets SS 28
49 Ed Glynn Montreal Expos P 32
47 Rick Grapenthin Montreal Expos P 28
32 Larry Gura Chicago Cubs P 38
44, 41 Andy Hassler St. Louis Cardinals P 34
18 Richie Hebner Chicago Cubs 1B 38
7 Art Howe St. Louis Cardinals 1B 39
27 Roy Johnson Montreal Expos OF 26
12 Jay Johnstone Los Angeles Dodgers PH 40
19 Mike Jorgensen St. Louis Cardinals 1B 37
24 Jerry Koosman Philadelphia Phillies P 43
18 Duane Kuiper San Francisco Giants PH 35
28 Sixto Lezcano Pittsburgh Pirates OF 32
17 Scott Loucks Pittsburgh Pirates OF 29
34 Bobby Moore San Francisco Giants P 27
6 Steve Nicosia Montreal Expos C 30
18 Mike O'Berry Montreal Expos C 32
0 Al Oliver Los Angeles Dodgers OF 39
52 Reggie Patterson Chicago Cubs P 27
57 Stu Pederson Los Angeles Dodgers OF 26
26, 43 Gary Rajsich San Francisco Giants 1B 31
12 Mario Ramirez San Diego Padres SS 28
48 Mike Ramsey Los Angeles Dodgers SS 32
23 German Rivera Houston Astros 3B 25
39 Edwin Rodriguez San Diego Padres PH 25
45 Steve Rogers Montreal Expos P 36
23 Dave Schuler Atlanta Braves P 32
33 Dave Shipanoff Philadelphia Phillies P 26
10 Rusty Staub New York Mets OF 42
42 John Stuper Cincinnati Reds P 29
56 Rich Surhoff Philadelphia Phillies P 23
18 Derrel Thomas Philadelphia Phillies SS 35
24 Scot Thompson Montreal Expos 1B 30
41 Scot Thompson San Francisco Giants 1B 30
43 Colin Ward San Francisco Giants P 25
14 John Wockenfuss Philadelphia Phillies 1B 37
25 Gary Woods Chicago Cubs OF 31
14 Ned Yost Montreal Expos C 30
38 Pat Zachry Philadelphia Phillies P 34
1985 National League Retirements



Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1985 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 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.