View Single Post
  #676  
Old 10-16-2021, 03:10 PM
Scott Garner's Avatar
Scott Garner Scott Garner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Midwest
Posts: 6,612
Default HOF Hoyt Wilhelm 1st win, 1st K, 1st HR ticket stub

Trivia question: What two HOF'ers hit a HR in their 1st ML at bat?

Ironically, HOF RHP Hoyt Wilhelm was one of them.
Wilhelm, primarly used as a relief pitcher for most of his amazing 21 year career, was the 2nd to accomplish this feat.
In the 70 years since, it hasn't happened again...

On April 23, 1952 Wilhelm came into the game in relief of Giants starting pitcher Roger Bowman in the 3rd inning.
Wilhelm pitched 5.1 innings and struck out 3 batters including Braves SS Jack Cusick for his 1st career K.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, Wilhelm homered in his 1st career ML at bat and NEVER HIT ANOTHER HR IN HIS 21 YEAR CAREER.
Oh yeah, he also recorded his 1st career win in this game
, retiring at age 49 with 143 career wins against 122 losses, a career ERA of only 2.52.
For many years he held the ML record of appearing in an amazing 1070 games.

I've had this ticket on my want list for many years because of the unique history surrounding this game.
I'm really happy to have finally found it, especially since a measly 4611 fans attended this game.

By the way, in case you're interested, HOF centerfielder Earl Averill was the only other HOF'er to homer in his 1st ML at bat in 1929...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Hoyt Wilhelm 1st win, 1st K, 1st HR ticket stub.jpg (49.4 KB, 380 views)

Last edited by Scott Garner; 10-28-2021 at 05:59 AM.
Reply With Quote