1876 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 1876.

"I'll never make the mistake of being seventy (70) again." - Casey Stengel comment made after being told to quit following the 1960 World Series
 

National League Retirements

1876

n/a Joe Borden Boston Red Caps P 23
n/a Foghorn Bradley Boston Red Caps P 21
n/a Dick McBride Boston Red Caps P 29
n/a Tim McGinley Boston Red Caps OF 23
n/a Bill Parks Boston Red Caps OF 27
n/a Frank Whitney Boston Red Caps OF 21
n/a Oscar Bielaski Chicago White Stockings OF 30
n/a Bobby Clack Cincinnati Red Stockings OF 26
n/a Dory Dean Cincinnati Red Stockings P 24
n/a Sam Field Cincinnati Red Stockings C 28
n/a Dave Pierson Cincinnati Red Stockings C 21
n/a Dale Williams Cincinnati Red Stockings P 21
n/a Everett Mills Hartford Dark Blues 1B 32
n/a Art Allison Louisville Grays OF 28
n/a George Bechtel Louisville Grays OF 28
n/a John Carbine Louisville Grays 1B 21
n/a Jack Chapman Louisville Grays OF 34
n/a Dan Collins Louisville Grays OF 22
n/a Frank Pearce Louisville Grays P 17
n/a Ed Somerville Louisville Grays 2B 24
n/a George Bechtel New York Mutuals OF 28
n/a Eddie Booth New York Mutuals OF uk
n/a George Fair New York Mutuals 2B 21
n/a John Hatfield New York Mutuals 2B 29
n/a John Hayes New York Mutuals OF 22
n/a George Heubel New York Mutuals 1B 28
n/a Nealy Phelps New York Mutuals OF 36
n/a Jim Shanley New York Mutuals OF 23
n/a Fred Treacey New York Mutuals OF 30
n/a Pete Treacey New York Mutuals SS 25
n/a Bob Valentine New York Mutuals C uk
n/a Billy West New York Mutuals 2B 23
n/a William Coon Philadelphia Athletics OF 22
n/a John Curren Philadelphia Athletics C 25
n/a Wes Fisler Philadelphia Athletics OF 32
n/a Bill Fouser Philadelphia Athletics 2B 21
n/a John Mullen Philadelphia Athletics C uk
n/a Lou Paul Philadelphia Athletics C uk
n/a Nealy Phelps Philadelphia Athletics C 36
n/a Whitey Ritterson Philadelphia Athletics C 22
n/a Jim Ward Philadelphia Athletics C 22
n/a George Zettlein Philadelphia Athletics P 32
1876 National League Retirements



Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1876 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.

Stan Musial ended his Major League career on September 29, 1963. His final hit was a single during the sixth inning off Jim Maloney which drove in his last RBI (which was Curt Flood).