1917 National League Debuts

Willie Mays played his first Major League game on May 25, 1951, and went 0-for-5 at the plate. He started his career 1-for-25 and told his manager, "I can't do it, Mr. Leo. You better bench me."

Casey Stengel played his first Major League game on July 27, 1912, and went 4-for-4 at the plate. He commented later in his life, "I broke in with four hits and the writers promptly decided they had seen the new Ty Cobb. It took me only a few days to correct that impression."

Both Mays and Stengel would continue their Major League careers down separate paths of greatness, but each still had to appear in that memorable first Major League game. Baseball Almanac is pleased to present what Cubs broadcaster Steve Stone once described as, "His first Major League debut."

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"You never forget your first hit in the Major Leagues. It was in my third at bat. That was kind of a relief. You could start off 0-for-34." - Ralph Kiner

1917 National League Debuts

1917 N.L. Rookies | 1917 A.L. Rookies | Baseball Firsts (All Years)

n/a Cal Crum 1917 Boston Braves 05-04-1917 27
n/a Mike Massey 1917 Boston Braves 04-12-1917 23
n/a Rich Durning 1917 Brooklyn Robins 04-16-1917 24
n/a Bill Leard 1917 Brooklyn Robins 07-21-1917 31
n/a John Russell 1917 Brooklyn Robins 07-04-1917 22
n/a Jack Snyder 1917 Brooklyn Robins 04-11-1917 30
n/a Paul Wachtel 1917 Brooklyn Robins 09-18-1917 29
n/a Vic Aldridge 1917 Chicago Cubs 04-15-1917 23
n/a Pickles Dillhoefer 1917 Chicago Cubs 04-16-1917 23
n/a Paddy Driscoll 1917 Chicago Cubs 06-12-1917 22
n/a Roy Leslie 1917 Chicago Cubs 09-06-1917 23
n/a William Marriott 1917 Chicago Cubs 09-06-1917 24
n/a Dutch Ruether 1917 Chicago Cubs 04-13-1917 23
n/a Morrie Schick 1917 Chicago Cubs 04-15-1917 24
n/a Harry Wolfe 1917 Chicago Cubs 04-15-1917 24
n/a Hod Eller 1917 Cincinnati Reds 04-16-1917 22
n/a Herman Pillette 1917 Cincinnati Reds 07-30-1917 22
n/a Mike Regan 1917 Cincinnati Reds 05-25-1917 28
n/a Jimmy Ring 1917 Cincinnati Reds 04-13-1917 22
n/a Roy Sanders 1917 Cincinnati Reds 04-16-1917 24
n/a Al Baird 1917 New York Giants 09-10-1917 22
n/a Pete Kilduff 1917 New York Giants 04-18-1917 24
n/a Jim Middleton 1917 New York Giants 04-18-1917 27
n/a Ad Swigler 1917 New York Giants 09-25-1917 22
n/a Ross Youngs 1917 New York Giants 09-25-1917 20
n/a Patsy McGaffigan 1917 Philadelphia Phillies 04-16-1917 28
n/a Harry Pearce 1917 Philadelphia Phillies 10-02-1917 28
n/a Fred Blackwell 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 09-25-1917 26
n/a Tony Boeckel 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 07-23-1917 24
n/a Hal Carlson 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 04-13-1917 24
n/a Howdy Caton 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 09-17-1917 23
n/a Adam Debus 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 07-14-1917 24
n/a Don Flinn 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 09-02-1917 24
n/a Jake Pitler 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 05-30-1917 23
n/a Elmer Ponder 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 09-18-1917 24
n/a Arch Reilly 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 06-01-1917 25
n/a Ben Shaw 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 04-11-1917 23
n/a Red Smith 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 09-17-1917 25
n/a Chuck Ward 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 04-11-1917 22
n/a Bill Webb 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates 09-17-1917 22
n/a John Brock 1917 St. Louis Cardinals 08-10-1917 20
n/a Tony DeFate 1917 St. Louis Cardinals 04-18-1917 22
n/a Bruce Hitt 1917 St. Louis Cardinals 09-23-1917 20
n/a Oscar Horstmann 1917 St. Louis Cardinals 04-18-1917 25
n/a Jakie May 1917 St. Louis Cardinals 06-26-1917 21
n/a Tim Murchison 1917 St. Louis Cardinals 06-21-1917 20
1917 National League Debuts
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baseball almanac fast facts

Find out which players bid farewell to their field's of dreams in the National League during the 1917 season as this group of players made their Major League debut!

Did you know that Future hall of famer Addie Joss made his Major League pitching debut on April 26, 1902 and tossed a one hitter?

Ted Cox made his Major League debut in 1977 with the Boston Red Sox and over two games on September 18 and 19, Cox went six for six before he made an out.