Ticket collectors, show us your tickets !

[Scott Garner]

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...

[guy3050]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

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 one of them.

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 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, CF HOF Earl Averill was the only other HOF'er to homer in his 1st ML at bat in 1929.

Nice find Scott, here is simalar one from a Expos pitcher who definitely is not a HOF'er, Expos pitcher Carlos Perez in his 1st MLB start hits his 1st career HR in his 2nd career at bat , and picks up his 1st career win

[Schlesinj]

Just picked up a 1951 Game 2 WS Ticket (last game Mantle and DiMaggio played together where mantle hurt his knee) at the Philly Non-sport show.

Also got game 1 and 2 of 1977 World Series, so now I guess I get to start finding the rest.