VIDEO: Carl Yastrzemski’s last career home run was washed out by rain

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When Carl Yastrzemski retired in 1983 he didn’t go on a farewell tour. That type of thing wasn’t done in baseball at that time, and Yaz wouldn’t have been comfortable doing it anyway.

Carl Yastrzemski didn’t like being the center of attention. He was a fairly simple son of the middle class, a hard-working ballplayer who never felt at ease in the role of “superstar.”

Carl Yastrzemski’s final season

Ironically, on September 12, 1983, a few weeks before he hung up his batting gloves for the final time, Yastrzemski hit what would have been his final home run, a blast off the Orioles at Fenway Park that landed in the visitors’ bullpen, among a flock of Birds. But that game ended up being rained out, and Yaz never hit another homer.

The Red Sox slugger started 14 more games but didn’t reach the seats. His final home game was October 2 against the Indians. Yaz had an infield single and a walk. In his final at-bat in the seventh inning, he popped out to second base off Dan Spillner.

Here’s video of the “lost” home run, which would have been homer #453 of Yastrzemski’s career.

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Dan Holmes

Dan Holmes

Dan Holmes is the author of three books about baseball, including Ty Cobb: A Biography. He previously worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and Major League Baseball Advanced Media. He lives in Michigan where he writes, runs, and enjoys a good orange soda now and again.
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Michael Caragliano
Michael Caragliano
4 years ago

It came off a guy who would retire the next year himself… fellow future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer

Michael Caragliano
Michael Caragliano
4 years ago

The guy who gave up the home run would retire himself the next season… fellow future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer.