Baseball Almanac - 1888 National League Retirements

1888 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 1888.

"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
1888

# Name Team Pos Age

n/a Dick Conway Boston Beaneaters P 24

n/a Ed Glenn Boston Beaneaters OF 28

n/a Mike Hines Boston Beaneaters OF uk

n/a Ezra Sutton Boston Beaneaters 3B 39

n/a Nick Wise Boston Beaneaters OF 22

n/a Cal Broughton Detroit Wolverines C 28

n/a Barney Gilligan Detroit Wolverines C 33

n/a Sam Moffett Indianapolis Hoosiers P 32

n/a Otto Schomberg Indianapolis Hoosiers OF 24

n/a Stump Wiedman New York Giants P 28

n/a Gid Gardner Philadelphia Phillies 2B 30

n/a Jim Tyng Philadelphia Phillies P 33

n/a Woody Wagenhorst Philadelphia Phillies 3B 25

n/a Bill Farmer Pittsburgh Alleghenys C 25

n/a Hardie Henderson Pittsburgh Alleghenys P 26

n/a Pete McShannic Pittsburgh Alleghenys 3B 25

n/a Henry Yaik Pittsburgh Alleghenys OF 25

n/a Tug Arundel Washington Senators C 26

n/a Pat Deasley Washington Senators C 31

n/a Gid Gardner Washington Senators SS 30

n/a Frank Gilmore Washington Senators P 25

n/a John Greenig Washington Senators P 41

n/a Dupee Shaw Washington Senators P 30

# Name Team Pos Age

1888 National League Retirements

Find out which players made their Major League debut in the National League during the 1888 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).

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