#Moonlight May 6

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For May 2023 I am participating in the 30-Day BASEBALL Coach4aday Challenge. Today the post is about MOONLIGHT Graham.

Graham’s full name was Archibald Wright Graham. He was born in Fayetteville NC on November 12, 1876, and died on August 25, 1965, but on June 29, 1905, he did something that immortalized him.

He played for the New York Giants on June 29, 1905, and never had another at-bat or played in another game in the Major Leagues. Graham’s story was made famous by the book “Shoeless Joe” by W.P. Kinsella, which was later adapted into the movie “Field of Dreams“. The story tells of Graham’s single game and his subsequent decision to give up baseball to become a doctor.

FAQ’s about Dr. Graham

After his brief stint in Major League Baseball, he went on to attend medical school at the University of Maryland and later completed his residency in Minnesota. He eventually settled in Chisholm, a small mining town on Minnesota’s Iron Range, where he practiced medicine for over 50 years.

Graham was known for his dedication to his patients, often making house calls and treating patients regardless of their ability to pay. He was also active in the community, serving as the team physician for the local high school football team.

One Hit Wonders

There have been 70 players in Major League Baseball history who had one hit in their only plate appearance. That list includes Moonlight Graham. These players are often referred to as “One-Hit Wonders” or “One-Game Wonders”.

Some notable One-Hit Wonders include:

• Eddie Gaedel, who famously walked on four straight pitches in his only plate appearance for the St. Louis Browns in 1951. Gaedel was 3’7″ tall and was inserted into the lineup as a promotional stunt.
• John Paciorek, who went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and four runs scored in his only Major League game for the Houston Colt .45s in 1963. He had to retire due to injury.
• Adam Greenberg, who was hit in the head by the first pitch he saw in his only plate appearance for the Miami Marlins in 2005. He was later given another at-bat by the Marlins in 2012 as a symbolic gesture, which he used to strike out.