List of Major League Baseball replacement players

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This is a list of Major League Baseball replacement players. Major League Baseball, an American and Canadian baseball league, has used replacement players during two strikes: the 1912 Detroit Tigers strike, and the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike.

1994–95 Major League Baseball strike

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The following Major League Baseball (MLB) players appeared as strikebreakers during spring training in 1995, crossing picket lines during the 1994–95 MLB strike. Some had not yet been placed on a 40-man roster, and as such were not eligible to join the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) at the time of the strike, while others were former MLB players who had retired before the strike. The list does not include replacement players who never appeared in a regular season MLB game.

Several players who were part of World Series-winning teams were not permitted to have their names or likenesses on commemorative merchandise because they participated in 1995 spring training: Shane Spencer of the 1998–2000 New York Yankees, Damian Miller of the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, Brendan Donnelly of the 2002 Anaheim Angels, and Brian Daubach and Kevin Millar of the 2004 Boston Red Sox.[1][2]

Because they are not permitted to join the MLBPA, replacement players' names or likenesses are also generally not included in merchandise that derives its license from the MLBPA, such as video and tabletop games. Many games include these players' statistics and characteristics, with blank or fictional names and different appearances. This practice is similar to how Jon Dowd replaced Barry Bonds in MVP Baseball 2005 after Bonds left the MLBPA in 2003.[3][4]

One player, Billy McMillon, was allowed to join the MLBPA after playing in a replacement game. The union determined that the Florida Marlins fraudulently told McMillon that a game he would play in was not a replacement game when, in fact, it was.[5][2]

Replacement players

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This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

No MLB experience before strike

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† Chimelis was briefly called up by the San Francisco Giants in June 1995, but never appeared in an MLB game, making him a phantom ballplayer.

Had MLB experience before strike

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1912 Detroit Tigers strike

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Main article: Detroit Tigers replacement players (May 18, 1912)

On May 15, 1912, Detroit Tigers star Ty Cobb went into the stands and assaulted a fan who had been heckling him. American League president Ban Johnson suspended Cobb, but other Tigers refused to play unless Cobb was reinstated. Johnson threatened Tigers owner Frank Navin with a stiff fine if he did not field a team. Thus, manager Hughie Jennings quickly recruited a pickup team of sandlot, semi-pro, and college baseball players.[92]

This replacement team played one game, on May 18, after which the Tigers players relented and returned to play future games (under threat of lifetime banishment).[93]

The following players appeared in the May 18 game, which the Tigers lost to the Philadelphia Athletics, 24–2.[94][95]

Sugden and McGuire were Tigers coaches who had had long baseball careers. This game was their last major league appearance. Jennings was the Tigers manager; he also had had a long career and was later elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.[96] He appeared as pinch hitter in the ninth inning.[95]

None of the other players ever appeared in another major league game before or after, except Maharg, who appeared in one other game as a courtesy in the last game of the 1916 season. He was later deeply involved in the Black Sox Scandal.[97] Smith played two innings in the field but had no plate appearances and consequently no batting average. Irwin was the only recruit to have a hit; the Tigers coaches also each had one hit. Irwin had two triples, and so retired with a batting average of .667 and slugging percentage of 2.000.[98][99] Travers's 24 runs allowed is still the American League record for a complete game.[93][100][101]

Arthur "Bugs" Baer, who later went on to become a journalist and humorist, was a member of the Tigers, recruited as a backup bench player. He did not appear in the game.[92]

References

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  1. ^ Baer, Bill (August 12, 2019). "Players who crossed picket line in 1995". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Gutierrez, Paul (August 12, 2006). "The Replacements". The Sacramento Bee. pp. C1, C7. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  3. ^ Monagan, Matt (November 20, 2020). "The video game creator who became Barry Bonds". MLB.com. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "Replacement Players". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Kurkjian, Tim (August 29, 2002). "The Replacements". ESPN. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Five years later, replacements still feel the heat". The Holland Sentinel. May 23, 2000. Archived from the original on September 20, 2001.
  7. ^ "Catchers' Agendas Differ". Miami Herald. February 19, 1995. p. 16C. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Chass, Murray (November 17, 1996). "Spoils to the Victors, Grudgingly". The New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2007.
  9. ^ Ferrell, Scott (July 31, 1995). "One Giant puzzle". The Shreveport Times. pp. 1C, 3C.
  10. ^ Blum, Ronald (December 16, 1995). "Union snubs replacements". Bay City Times. Associated Press. p. 2B.
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  12. ^ a b c d e "Walker won't let decision stop him". Topeka Capitol-Journal. May 4, 1997. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  13. ^ "'Bad Karma' Vetoes Move -- Padres Won't Recall Replacement Player". Seattle Times. July 17, 1995.
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  17. ^ "Donnelly could be snubbed". The Arizona Republic. June 22, 2003. p. C10. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Take me out to the ballgame". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press. April 1, 1995. pp. 2B. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
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  20. ^ Dierker, Larry (September 19, 1995). "Fight, flight show 'team' in Astros". The Houston Chronicle. p. 4B. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
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  23. ^ Megargee, Steve (March 29, 1995). "Dodgers prove to be best of replacements". Indian River Press Journal. pp. 1B. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
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  25. ^ Hoynes, Paul (March 30, 1995). "Tigers drop Diaz but adds power hitter and pitcher". Cleveland Plain Dealer. p. 2-D. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  26. ^ Zolecki, Todd (August 13, 2006). "On baseball: There aren't many strikes against 1995 scabs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C-6. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  27. ^ a b Gloster, Rob (April 3, 1995). "Thanks: Marlins pay $25,000; Reds offer $19 for gas". Muncie Evening Press. Associated Press. p. 16.
  28. ^ Bradley, John Ed (August 11, 1997). "Honor thy father: Pete Rose Jr. has struggled through nine years in the minor leagues, driven partly by a dream of drawing closer to his distant father". Sports Illustrated.
  29. ^ "Alvarez believes Braves need him". The Macon Telegraph. Associated Press. April 2, 1995. p. 17. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  30. ^ a b c Zack, Bill (March 19, 1995). "Green pitchers face seasoned hitters". Ledger-Enquirer. p. C10. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  31. ^ "Bagwell Breaks Hand Again, Probably Will Miss 3-4 Weeks". Seattle Times. Associated Press. July 31, 1995.
  32. ^ Haudricourt, Tom (February 27, 1995). "Brewers Bring back Bates for Spring Training". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  33. ^ Stapleton, Arnie (April 3, 1995). "Owners discard replacements". The Paducah Sun. Associated Press. p. 1B.
  34. ^ a b Horrigan, Jeff (March 31, 1995). "Johnson suddenly likes revamped 'fun little team'". The Cincinnati Post. p. 2B. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  35. ^ "Astros 7, Mets 4". The News-Press. Fort Myers, Florida. March 8, 1995. p. 3C. Retrieved August 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  36. ^ a b c d Odum, Charles (April 1, 1995). "Braves fans have mixed feelings". Clarion-Ledger. pp. C1, C4.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h Beaton, Rod (March 30, 1995). "Big-time agents feel pinch of strike in pocketbooks". USA Today. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  38. ^ Larwin, Tom. "Danny Boone". Society for American Baseball Research Baseball Biography Project. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  39. ^ a b c Chass, Murray (April 18, 1995). "Union Lists Those Who Did Not Back Strike". New York Times. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013.
  40. ^ Beaton, Rod (March 13, 1995). "Following the balancing ball". USA Today. p. 6C. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  41. ^ "Pedro Borbon: In Memoriam". MLB.com (Press release). Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  42. ^ Rhoden, William C. (July 8, 1999). "Sports of The Times; Oil Can Boyd at Peace With His Own Team". New York Times. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023.]", The , .
  43. ^ Madden, Bill (March 6, 1995). "Blame Game, Not Bystrom". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  44. ^ Grant, Evan (March 7, 1995). "Decision weighs heavy on Capra". Florida Today. pp. 1C, 2C. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  45. ^ Grant, Evan (May 3, 1995). "Lewis aims to end minors nightmare". USA Today. Gannett News Service. p. 5C. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  46. ^ a b Hoynes, Paul (April 2, 1995). "No strikes, replacements are out". Cleveland Plain Dealer. pp. 1-D, 10-D. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  47. ^ a b c d e "The heart of the replacement teams". The Akron Beacon Journal. April 2, 1995. p. D10. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  48. ^ Roberts, Jeannie (July 6, 1995). "Pitcher has paid his dues". The Muskegon Chronicle. p. 1C.
  49. ^ a b c "Game's cancelled; Marlins replacements figure they're next". News-Press. Associated Press. April 2, 1995. p. 8C. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  50. ^ a b c "National League Team Capsules". USA Today. March 31, 1995. pp. 13C. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  51. ^ a b c d e f "Preview of replacement teams". The Daily Oklahoman. April 2, 1995. p. B-11. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  52. ^ Sullivan, Paul (April 2, 1995). "Sox outfielder Cotto hoping decision to play pays off". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  53. ^ Bonfatti, John F. (February 28, 1995). "Pain fails to deter Todd Cruz". Pottsville Republican. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  54. ^ a b c d Fraley, Gerald (February 26, 1995). "Strange lineups form from replacement players". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Dallas Morning News. p. C12. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  55. ^ a b Reaves, Joseph A. (March 4, 1995). "Cubs Opener: No Pickets, No Protests". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013.
  56. ^ Parker, Rob (March 9, 1995). "Dunbar plays; new dream is to coach". Detroit Free Press. pp. D1, D2.
  57. ^ Horst, Craig (February 26, 1995). "KC replacement liking special treatment". The Salina Journal. Associated Press. p. 39.
  58. ^ a b c d Rieper, Max (February 26, 2015). "The Royals replacement players of 1995". Royals Review. SB Nation.
  59. ^ a b c d Wyche, Steve (March 2, 1995). "Yankees open with uncertainty, replacements". The Miami Herald. pp. 10D. Retrieved May 15, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  60. ^ Hertzel, Bob (March 2, 1995). "Eufemia Playing For Purest Motives". The Record (Bergen County). Frank Eufemia once was a major league pitcher. Today the right-hander from Bergenfield becomes a replacement pitcher.
  61. ^ Niedzielka, Amy (February 19, 1995). "Reluctant replacement". The Miami Herald. pp. 16C. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  62. ^ Niedzielka, Amy (March 24, 1995). "Ford's stroke of irony". The Miami Herald. pp. 7D. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  63. ^ Knobler, Danny (March 4, 1995). "Baseball's back but barely". The Muskegon Chronicle. Chronicle News Service.
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  65. ^ a b c "Meet the 1995 Omaha Royals". Omaha World Herald. April 6, 1995. p. 28.
  66. ^ Scanlan, Wayne (September 13, 1995). "'Coach' gets one more kick at the can, and makes it a beauty". The Ottawa Citizen. p. B1. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  67. ^ "Hernandez joins Yankees". Argus-Leader. Gannett News Service. March 7, 1995. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  68. ^ Nightengale, Bob (March 17, 1995). "Baseball : Hernandez Now Most Recognized Replacement". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  69. ^ a b c d e f g h Frey, Jennifer (February 18, 1995). "BASEBALL; Met Camp Attractive To Players In Need". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  70. ^ a b Mandelaro, Jim (August 28, 1995). "Hurst snafu costs Orioles $24,000". Democrat and Chronicle. p. 5D.
  71. ^ a b Olney, Buster (August 27, 1995). "2nd former replacement makes exit". Baltimore Sun. p. 8C.
  72. ^ a b c Kaegel, Dick (March 26, 1995). "Royals pitcher a blast from past". The Kansas City Star. p. C-10. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  73. ^ Guest, Larry (March 26, 1995). "Mauch: replacements part of healing process". Orlando Sentinel. pp. C-1.
  74. ^ a b Lang, Evan (January 13, 2022). "The replacement Rockies that could have been". Purple Row. SB Nation.
  75. ^ "Yankee replacement bitter at union". The Tennessean. Gannett. March 6, 1995. pp. 2C. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  76. ^ Lee, Victor (March 12, 1995). "Ex-Marlin Lyden gets a Royal opportunity". Palm Beach Post. p. 8C.
  77. ^ a b c d e Rock, Steve (March 31, 2001). "Who were these guys?". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on January 4, 2002. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
  78. ^ Reaves, Joseph A. (March 26, 1995). "Instead Of Solidifying Family Ties, Baseball Pulling Them Apart". The Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  79. ^ Street, Jim (March 30, 1995). "Replacement players' pay may take a hit". The Indianapolis Star. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. E7. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  80. ^ Newhan, Ross (February 16, 1995). "Strike Throws Curve Into Start of Spring Training". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
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  82. ^ LaRue, Larry (March 23, 1995). "M's replacement roster will hold 40 not 32". The Everett Herald. McClatchy News Service. p. 5C. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  83. ^ LaRue, Larry (March 30, 1995). "Piniella's optimism replaced by confusion". The News Tribune. p. C7. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  84. ^ "Former Marlin killed". Gainesville Sun. April 29, 1995. p. 14. Retrieved February 17, 2025 – via GenealogyBank.com.
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  86. ^ Morales, Javier (April 6, 1995). "Toros opening season with seasoned roster". Arizona Daily Star. p. C-1.
  87. ^ Kram, Mike (July 2, 1998). "He's (still) available". Philadelphia Daily News. pp. 76-77. Retrieved December 5, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  88. ^ "Slusarksi returns to majors". Cleveland Plain Dealer. August 23, 1995. p. 4-D.
  89. ^ Robinson, Tom (April 5, 1995). "The Tides Have Talent". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
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  92. ^ a b Holtzman, Jerome (January 24, 1995). "Replacement team in Cobb's day lacked something: quality". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
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  94. ^ Godfrey, Andrew (September 3, 2009). "1912 Tigers Pickup Team Loses 24-2". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
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  97. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Billy Maharg". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
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  100. ^ "Most Runs Allowed In A Complete Game". StatMuse. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  101. ^ "Most runs allowed by starting pitcher in single game". MLB.com. Retrieved September 8, 2025.