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.

"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
 

National League Retirements

1985

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

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.

Did you know that future hall of fame pitcher Walter Johnson ended his Major League career in 1927 with a pinch-hit appearance? During the final game of the season pitcher Tom Zachary, who had just given up Babe Ruth's sixtieth home run of the season, was lifted and Johnson replaced him at the plate.