For a time, a courtesy runner was allowed for a player if that player had been injured and at the moment couldn’t continue. The original player then stayed in the game defensively in the next inning. Most often the courtesy runner was already in the lineup. We also have two examples of courtesy fielders listed here. This list is due mainly to the efforts of Dave Vincent. If you know of any other instances, please e-mail retro2--ATsign--pankin.com
Practices in the early years of major league play were often quite different from those in the early 20th Century. For more information see Early Practices.
Mid-Play Runners:
We have found two cases when a player who
was entitled to advance was physically unable to do so. A pinch runner was
allowed to enter the game and complete the play. These are not courtesy runners
because the replaced player did not later come back into the game. The relevant
rule is 5.10(c)(1) which allows for the replacement of an injured runner in a
dead ball situation before play resumes. We list them here below the courtesy
runners list because of the unusual circumstances for a pinch runner. If you
know of any others, please let us know.
Most recent entries:
(12/9/2007): 7/4/1934
(12/3/2007): 8/3/1947
(10/29/2007): 8/26/1916
(5/31/2007): 9/5/1889 (date correction)
Here are the known instances of this event from our files:
8/28/1877 (Louisville at Boston NL) - Jumbo Latham was hurt playing first base for Louisville. Al Nichols finished an inning for Latham but Jumbo batted in the next half inning and singled. Leftfielder George Hall ran for Latham. When Hall's turn at bat came around centerfielder Bill Crowley replaced Hall as the courtesy runner. After all this Latham returned to the field in the next half inning.
8/21/1884 (Detroit at Providence NL) - Tom Kearns strained his knee running out a hit in the fifth inning. Frank Cox ran for him and was eventually forced out a third. Frank Meinke replaced Kearns in the field and homered later in the game.
6/14/1889 (Kansas City at Brooklyn AA) - Brooklyn's Oyster Burns was hurt while running the bases in the eighth inning. Catcher Doc Bushong was allowed to run for Burns and scored a run in the inning. Both Burns and Bushong remained in the game.
9/2/1889 (Pittsburgh at New York, game 2) - As was a usual practice of the day, the home team batted first in this game. In the bottom of the third Ned Hanlon, hitting in the leadoff spot, singled with one out. Doggie Miller, already in the game in the seventh spot in the lineup, ran for Hanlon. He was stranded at third when the inning finished. In the next half inning, Bill Sowders replaced Hanlon in the field.
9/5/1889 (Indianapolis at New York) - The visitors were batting in the bottom of the fifth when Tim Keefe's pitch hit Ed Andrews in the stomach. Jack McGeachey, who was already in the game, ran for Andrews and scored on Jack Glasscock's double. Andrews remained in the game.
7/3/1891 (Baltimore at Philadelphia AA) - Baltimore’s Perry Werden spiked Philadelphia’s Tommy Corcoran. Henry Larkin ran for him.
6/21/1894 (Boston at Washington) - In the third inning, Al Maul of Washington, leading off, was hit on the left arm and injured. Deacon McGuire, Washington's catcher and cleanup hitter, ran for him. McGuire advanced to second on a walk, then was safe trying to steal third when Boston third baseman Billy Nash dropped the throw. After a fly out, McGuire scored on a triple. Interestingly, he was the next batter due at the time.
9/23/1901 (Brooklyn at Cincinnati) - Sam Crawford tripled off of Jay Hughes in the eighth inning, but "pulled up lame" at third. According to the account in the Cincinnati Enquirer the next day, "the Brooklyns let Heinie Peitz score a run for him and then permitted the Nebraskan [Crawford, for anyone who doesn't know the whereabouts of Wahoo] to return and finish the game."
6/26/1902 (Giants at Philadelphia) - In the bottom of the eighth, catcher Fred Jacklitsch was hit "behind the ear" by a pitch from Roy Evans, and "dropped like a shot." Hallman, who was in the game as the third baseman ran for him and Jacklitsch returned to his duties in the ninth.
5/30/1904 (Giants at Philadelphia, game 1) - In the top of the sixth of the first game, Moose McCormick was injured running out a double so John McGraw ran for him but McCormick returned to CF in the bottom of the inning.
8/8/1905 (Dodgers at Cardinals, game 1) - In the bottom of the first inning of game one, Homer Smoot was struck on the head by a pitch. Jake Thielman ran for Smoot and scored a run. Smoot resumed his position in centerfield in the next half inning.
9/7/1905 (Boston at New York NL, game 1) - In the first game of a double header, Rip Cannell stole second base in the top of the second inning. Cannell cut his leg sliding into the bag. Fred Raymer, who followed him in the batting order, flied out, and then went to second to run for Cannell. Raymer was stranded there and Cannell resumed his defensive position in the bottom of the inning.
9/30/1905 (Superbas @ Pirates, game 2) - In the second game of two, Honus Wagner was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning. Brooklyn allowed Mike Lynch to run for him. The Pirates had won the first game, 8-3, and the second game ended in a tie, 2-2.
10/5/1905 (Philadelphia at New York NL, game 1) - In the top of the second inning of the first game of a doubleheader, pitcher John Lush was hit in the head by a Christy Mathewson pitch, knocking him out and forcing in a run. Kitty Bransfield, who had made out earlier in the inning, ran for Lush but the hurler returned to the game in the bottom half of the frame. The Phillies won the game, 4-1, but lost the second, 5-3.
9/12/1906 (Senators at Athletics) - In the fourth inning, Philadelphia’s
pitcher Mike Cunningham was injured in a collision at first base. His left
(non-pitching) shoulder, which he had previously injured in a football game, was
dislocated on his RBI single to first baseman Jake Stahl. He left for an unknown
runner but returned to complete the game.
[Help: Can someone find out
the name of the unidentified courtesy runner and let us know. A good place to
look is the microfilmed copies of Philadelphia and Washington papers, which some
libraries may have. Thanks.]
6/8/1911 (White Sox at Hilltoppers) - Russ Ford hit Roy Corhan on the head with a pitch, and Hal Chase allowed the Sox to send in Ping Bodie to run, even though he was already in the lineup. In the bottom of the inning, Bodie returned to his station in center field, but Corhan was replaced at ss by Tannehill, who moved over from 1b. Pitcher Doc White took over at 1b.
10/3/1911 (Red Sox at Hilltoppers, game 1) - In the top of the second inning, Duffy Lewis was on 3b and Jack Lewis on 1b with one out. As Hugh Bradley struck out, the Lewises (no relation) pulled off a double steal. Jack Lewis was shaken up in a collision with New York shortstop Roy Hartzell at 2b and Duffy Lewis was given permission to run for him. Apparently, one Lewis is as good as another. (The inning ended without Duffy advancing any further and Jack returned to the game.)
6/15/1912 (Red Sox at White Sox) - With two out in the fourth, Red Sox catcher and eighth batter Bill Carrigan was hit over the left ear by a "fast inshoot" from Joe Benz. "The ball sounded as though it had hit a bass drum" (Boston Post). He took his base and was determined to stay in the game so they tried to get him into condition. White Sox Manager Callahan permitted fourth batter Duffy Lewis to run for Carrigan to expedite matters. The pitcher struck out, ending the inning, and Carrigan was still too dazed to play, so Forrest Cady went in behind the plate. Duffy Lewis played a complete game in left.
5/24/1913 (Cubs at Pirates) - Larry Cheney was hit on the head by a pitch and retired to the clubhouse. Lefty Leifield ran for Cheney.
6/4/1915 (White Sox at Red Sox) - Tris Speaker was hit on the head by a fast ball in the first inning and, after walking slowly to first, was replaced by Bill Rodgers. Speaker played in the field in the next half inning but then left the game in favor of Olaf Henriksen. Rodgers pinch hit for another player in the eighth inning.
7/4/1916 (Reds at Cardinals) - In the first inning of game one of a double header, player/manager Buck Herzog of the Reds toppled over at first base after reaching on a single. Greasy Neale ran for Herzog while he sat and drank a glass of water. Herzog resumed his shortstop duties in the second inning.
8/26/1916 (Browns at Yankees) - In the top of the fourth inning, pitcher Dave Davenport was hit on the right hand by a pitch. Babe Borton ran for Davenport, who returned for just one batter in the bottom of the frame. The Yankees beat Davenport and the Browns, 10-6.
9/1/1917 (Tigers at Indians) - (COURTESY FIELDER) Tris Speaker was on 3b in the bottom of the first with Joe Evans at bat. Tris tried to steal home but Evans hit away and lined a ball into Speaker's face. Detroit manager Hughie Jennings, as a courtesy, allowed Tris to sit out in the second inning while his face was sewn up. Elmer Smith played cf in the top of the second and Speaker went back in for the third.
5/26/1921, Game 2 (White Sox at Tigers) - Ty Cobb became dizzy after reaching second base in the 5th inning and Bert Cole ran for him. Chicago manager Kid Gleason gave permission for this to be a courtesy runner and Cobb returned to center field the next inning. However, he was still feeling weak and left the game for good after playing just one more inning.
7/9/1921 (Cardinals at Phillies) - Specs Torporcer ran for Jack Fournier in the top of the first inning.
6/9/1922 (Yankees at White Sox) - In the top of the sixth, Wally Schang singled to shortstop and was hurt sliding into 1b. He was carried off the field and replaced with Al DeVormer. The next batter ended the inning. As the bottom of the inning started, Schang returned to his catching duties. In the top of the eighth, DeVormer again ran for Schang, but this time he stayed in the game behind the plate.
06/09/1922 (Philadelphia at Detroit) - Detroit pitcher, Syl Johnson, hit Jimmy Dykes on the head with a pitched ball in the second inning, which knocked Dykes unconscious. The Athletic third baseman returned to the game after Fred Heimach ran for him, with manager Cobb agreeing to the arrangement.
8/22/1922 (Indians at Yankees) - In the top of the sixth, pitcher George Uhle singled to cf. The Yankees then agreed to let Les Nunamaker run for Uhle while the latter had a shoe repaired. Nunamaker was out rounding 2b on a strange play when Joe Dugan threw poorly to 2b trying for a force on Nunamaker. Les started for 3b but retreated towards 2b and was tagged before he got back to the bag. The inning ended when Nunamaker, now coaching 3b for the Tribe, grabbed Bill Wambsganss as he rounded 3b to hold him there on a single to lf. Uhle returned to the mound in the bottom of the inning and finished the game, beating the Yanks 6-2.
6/8/1923 (Browns at Athletics) - The Browns’ Pat Collins appeared in the game twice. In the second inning, he ran for Homer Ezzell with the permission of Connie Mack and Ezzell resumed his third base position in the next half inning. In the top of the ninth, Collins pinch hit for Ray Kolp and walked. Cedric Durst then ran for Collins. Therefore, Collins appeared in this game as a courtesy runner and a pinch hitter and then had a teammate pinch run for him!
6/19/1923 (Tigers at Yankees) - In the top of the 1st inning, Lu Blue singled to rf. Ty Cobb then got the consent of the Yanks to let Ray Francis run for Blue, who was still weak from being knocked unconscious by a batted ball during fielding practice before the game. Blue would start at 1b in the bottom of 1st and play the rest of the game.
8/12/1923 (Red Sox at Indians) - Cleveland 2bman Riggs Stephenson was hit in the head by a Bill Piercy fastball. Joe Connolly ran for him by permission but Stephenson would take his position in the field the next inning and finish the game.
9/25/1923 (Browns at Red Sox) - Brownie Homer Ezzell’s shoe was torn when he was spiked. While he went to change shoes, Pat Collins ran for Ezzell and scored a run.
4/27/1924 (White Sox at Tigers) - During a double steal in the top of the sixth inning, Willie Kamm of Chicago collided with Tigers shortstop Bill Rigney, who stepped in front of Kamm to catch the throw. Their heads bumped and both fell to the ground. Kamm, although dazed, crawled to the bag before second baseman Del Pratt could retrieve the ball and tag Kamm and Earl Sheely scored on the play. Kamm discovered that he had been spiked on the play so manager Detroit Ty Cobb allowed Bibb Falk to run for Kamm while he was being patched up.
6/13/1924 (Senators at Browns) - Norm McMillan of the Browns was hit on the hand by a pitch and Pat Collins ran for him. McMillan returned to the field in the next inning to his position at second base.
6/14/1924 (Athletics at White Sox) - Frank Welch of the White Sox was hit on the wrist by a pitch and the ball caromed up and struck him on the face. Amos Strunk ran for Welch, who returned to the field. Strunk would later pinch hit in the game.
4/23/1925 (Reds at Cardinals) - In the bottom of the third inning, Rogers Hornsby was hit in the head by a pitch from Dolph Luque. Hornsby dropped to the ground and eventually went to first base, even though he was groggy. However, before the next play, Hornsby was replaced from the bench by Specs Torporcer by consent of the Reds manager Jack Hendricks. Hornsby returned to his position at second in the top of the fourth but had problems. He was replaced in the field by Torporcer at the start of the sixth inning and went to the hospital. The doctor reported a slight concussion. Hornsby returned to the lineup on 4/28 after missing two games.
8/7/1925 (Indians at Athletics, game 1) - In the top of the first, Pat McNulty singled to the first baseman. Jack Quinn, in covering the bag on the play, stepped on McNulty's toes and by permission of Manager Connie Mack, Luke Sewell ran for McNulty while McNulty’s wounds were dressed. McNulty returned to the game and Sewell did not appear in the official record. Cliff Lee pinch hit for McNulty in the eighth inning.
9/7/1925 (White Sox at Indians, game 2) - In the top of the eighth with two outs, Earl Sheely walked. Pitcher Sherry Smith unsuccessfully tried to pick off Sheely, who hurt his leg sliding into first and had to be helped from the field. Ray Schalk ran for him and Roy Elsh replaced Sheely defensively in the next half inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Schalk entered the game defensively replacing Buck Crouse at catcher. This one is not a courtesy runner in the true sense since Sheely actually left the game, but is another situation where a pinch runner does not appear in the official record.
4/17/1926 (Dodgers at Phillies) - In the bottom of the third inning, Clarence Huber was hit by a pitch and replaced by Heinie Sand, who was already in the lineup playing shortstop. In the top of the fourth, Sand returned to short and Huber went back to third base. However, Huber left the game at the start of the fifth inning and was replaced by Russ Whitestone at third.
8/4/1927 (Browns at Senators, game 1) - In the bottom of the fourth inning, Senators hurler Tom Zachary bunted with Ossie Bluege running at third base. Browns second baseman Ski Melillo attempted a play at home but his throw was late. Zachary turned his ankle rounding first and was replaced by Firpo Marberry. Zachary's ankle was taped and he returned to the mound in the fifth. He threw a complete game to beat the team he had started the season with, 5-1.
6/22/1929 (Giants at Phillies, game 1) - Mel Ott, who had hit a 2-run homer in the first inning, led off the third and was hit on the right elbow by a pitch from Les Sweetland. Joe Genewich ran for Ott and was stranded at first base. Ott hit a solo homer off Sweetland in the fifth, collected a 2-RBI double off Hal Elliott in the sixth and walked in the eighth.
7/9/1933 (Browns at Red Sox) - In the top of the fourth inning, shortstop Jim Levey was hit on the arm by a George Pipgras pitch. Ted Gullic was allowed to run for Levey who returned to finish the game.
6/18/1934 (Browns at Red Sox) - In the bottom of the fourth, Ed Morgan was hit on the head by a pitch. Dusty Cooke ran for Morgan, stole second and later scored. Morgan returned to first base in the fifth and later Cooke re-entered the game defensively in center field.
7/4/1934, Game 1 (Browns at White Sox) - In the bottom of the third, Milt Bocek, who otherwise did not appear in the game, ran for Sox center fielder Mule Hass. Hass resumed his position in the top of the fourth. We do not have any information on why Hass needed to leave the game temporarily.
7/24/1934 (Yankees at Browns) - (COURTESY FIELDER) Tony Lazzeri left the game in the bottom of the first due to something in his eye and Don Heffner took his place in the field. Lazzeri then batted in his regular turn in the top of the second and stayed in the game.
8/27/1934 (Browns at Senators) - In the bottom of the first inning, John Stone was hit by a pitch. Bobby Burke ran for Stone but the Browns allowed Stone to remain in the game.
9/18/1934 (Reds at Giants, game 1) - In the bottom of the fifth, Freddie Fitzsimmons was hit on the left arm by a pitch and Jack Salveson ran for him. Fitzsimmons returned to the mound for the sixth inning.
7/13/1935 (Indians at Red Sox) - In the top of the first inning, Rube Walberg hit Hal Trosky on the left arm. Boston manager Joe Cronin allowed Frankie Pytlak to run for Trosky.
8/31/1936 (White Sox at Yankees) - NY Manager Joe McCarthy allowed Dixie Walker to run for Mike Kreevich in the first inning after the latter had been spiked on the hand by Tony Lazzeri while stealing second. Walker did not score and Kreevich returned to the field after being bandaged.
4/15/1941 (White Sox at Indians) - When Bob Feller hit opposing pitcher Bill Dietrich with a pitch in the second inning, Cleveland Manager Roger Peckinpaugh granted permission for Don Kolloway to run for the White Sox.
6/19/1943 (Indians at White Sox, game 1) - Second baseman Ray Mack of Indians was hit by a Johnny Humphries pitch in first inning of the first game of two in Chicago. Rusty Peters ran for Mack by permission of the White Sox manager Jimmy Dykes. Mack played the complete double-header after a tough start.
9/1/1944 (Giants at Dodgers) - In the second inning, Joe Medwick of the Giants was hit on the elbow by a pitch and needed some treatment. Dodger manager Leo Durocher chose the replacement runner: 39-year-old catcher Gus Mancuso. Mancuso was touted as the only rival to teammate Ernie Lombardi as the slowest runner in the major leagues. The next batter was Lombardi, of course. The result seemed pre-determined as Lombardi grounded into a double play.
6/2/1945 (Braves at Cubs) - In the second, Carden Gillenwater was hit on the face by a pitch from Paul Derringer. Butch Nieman ran for him, scoring a run. Bill Ramsey went to CF in the next half inning and Nieman pinch hit in the tenth inning and this time remained in the game.
8/3/1947 (Tigers at Red Sox) - Dick Wakefield hurt himself going into second base in the top of the fourth of a 10-3 Tigers victory. After obtaining the consent of Red Sox manager Joe Cronin, Roy Cullenbine, forced out earlier in the inning by Wakefield, was allowed as a courtesy runner. He scored on Pat Mullin's single when Ted Williams throw hit his back. Wakefield returned to LF in the bottom of the inning.
9/28/1947 (Cardinals at Cubs) - Bill Nicholson tore up his shoe sliding in the 4th inning. Pitcher Hank Borowy went in to run and eventually scored as Nicholson went for a new shoe. Nicholson returned to RF in the top of the 5th.
6/14/1949 (Indians at Red Sox) - In the top of the first inning, Joe Gordon hit a grand slam off Joe Dobson to make the score 5-0 with no outs. As usual for that time, Dobson hit the next batter, first baseman Lou Boudreau. Boudreau was replaced as a runner by Ken Keltner who was already in the lineup as the third baseman. (Keltner had just scored on the slam.) Dobson walked the next batter and left the game without retiring anyone. Keltner scored another run on a single to right by Bob Feller. In the bottom of the first, both Keltner and Boudreau take the field at their assigned spots.
7/2/1949 (Browns at Indians) - In the bottom of the ninth inning, Ray Boone was hit on the arm by a pitch from Karl Drews. Jim Hegan, already in the lineup catching, ran for Boone and scored. Since this inning was the end of the game, the players do not return to their defensive positions.
Click on the date to see the box and play-by-play for the game
9/7/1977 (Brewers at Angels) - In the bottom of the 6th, Bobby Bonds was on 2nd base with one out and attempted a steal of third. Catcher Charlie Moore's throw hit Bonds in the head, sending him to the hospital. The ball ricocheted out of play, but Bonds couldn't make the trip home. Instead, substitute runner Gary Nolan (a pitcher) scored the run.
9/14/2005 (Red Sox at Blue Jays) - In the top of the 5th, Gabe Kapler was on first when Tony Graffanino hit a deep fly ball near the line in left that Kapler thought might be in play, so he started running hard. As he rounded second base, he ruptured his left Achilles tendon and sprawled on to ground. The ball went over the fence for a homer, but Graffanino wisely stopped at second base while Kapler was attended to. After many minutes, Kapler was loaded onto a cart and taken off the field. Alejandro Machado, appearing in his 4th Major League game, entered as a pinch-runner and scored his first Major League run in front of Graffanino.