One Game Wonders

 Nolan Ryan pitched for so long that I wouldn't have been surprised if he pitched to a man and then years later struck out that man's grandson. George Brett won batting titles across three different decades. Cal Ripken's playing streak extended beyond countless full careers. Great players have names that stay with you through the years. But that's such a small sliver of the players.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are the guys who only get that cup of coffee. Here today, and never seen again after. For whatever reason, they show up and even succeed, but then they never get a second game, let alone a long career. Here are some of those guys...

In 1920, the "defending champion" Reds were in 3rd place and out of the pennant race on the final day of the season. The Reds decided to send in newbie Monty "Dazzy" Swartz to face the Cardinals. He actually took a 3-2 lead into the 9th, but the Cardinals were able to scratch a run across to tie the game. With no tomorrow and nothing to play for, Swartz kept pitching, ultimately giving up 3 runs in the 12th and losing the game. He never pitched again.

A backup Catcher isn't exactly known for his bat. A minor league callup backup Catcher has it even worse. Tupman lucked his way onto a temporary roster spot, and if you can understand his Showdown chart, you can tell what he was able to do with his lone plate appearance. The ultimate pinch-hitter.

Dave Liddell was bad in the minors. He was hitting under .200 when a Mets Catcher had a death in the family and had to step away for a couple of days. Liddell got the temporary call and reported to Philadelphia. He got a pinch hit appearance in a one sided loss to the Phillies and swatted the only big league pitch he ever saw back up the middle for a base hit. Thus, Dave gets the insane 16 on-base but the Bot give him out potential which is not true. Technically, Dave Liddell could not be stopped!

The '64 Yankees had everything wrapped up for the pennant on the final day of the season, so they had no cares when it came to the lineup for that game. Resting most of their regulars, guys like Elvio Jimenez got the call to play. In a game that went to extra innings, Elvio got many chances to hit and managed a couple of singles. He actually grounded out to end the game, to open and close his career as a .333 hitter.

The Bot does not like it when a position player takes the pitchers mound. I used to be able to make a bunch of such special cards, but I guess it was decided that it isn't right when regular hitters with extremely limited stats from a meaningless blowout could create amazing pitching cards (like John Baker). One card I was able to sneak in while I was still able to was Astudillo, who isn't a valuable asset out of the bullpen, but still makes for a fun inning of work when you put him in.

For comparisons sake, here is Willians in his intended role. Honestly, I wouldn't blame you if you held him from the field and preferred him in a mop up role.

Jon Ratliff pitched in one game, retired the side easily and was never seen again. Arguably the ultimate popup pitcher, he brings a 6 control card so amazing that it broke the Bot.

Nate Fisher was everyone's feel good story when then Mets gave him a chance in 2022. A year before he was working a "real job" while part time playing minor league baseball. The Mets signed him and when injuries decimated their staff, they called him up and gave him a shot. He pitched so good before a long rain delay that he was allowed to go back out there and ended up tossing 3 shutout innings en route to a Mets comeback win. Naturally, this being the Mets, that was the only game he pitched in and he was soon released.

One afternoon in 1940, the Red Sox were getting their butts handed to them, so it seemed like no big deal to let the 2nd year outfielder take the mound in the 8th inning and just try to take the heat off the battered pitching staff. Williams obviously had a brighter future as a hitter, but his 2 innings of 1 run mopup relief featured a Strikeout and proved that baseballs most deadly hitters mind could be used as a pitcher, instead of always terrorizing them.
Fun fact: Joe Glenn caught for Williams in that game, and he also happened to be the Catcher for the last time Babe Ruth pitched as well.