5 most memorable MLB debuts

4. Juan Marichal (July 19, 1960 vs. Philadelphia Phillies)

It is not often that you see a debuting player pitch a nine-inning shutout in their first MLB game. usually, they have to combat the nerves at the beginning of their start. But right-handed pitcher Juan Marichal was not phased, as he threw a complete game back in 1960 in his debut with the San Francisco Giants.

The Philadelphia Phillies had nothing on Marichal, who mowed through the entire lineup, complete with his signature high leg kick during his windup. Marichal even had a no-hitter through the seventh inning but surrendered a single to Clay Dalrymple, which was Philadelphia’s lone hit of the game. Overall, Marichal struck out 12 and walked just one batter to help lead the Giants to a 2-0 victory.

The right-hander finished his first season with a 6-2 overall record, an ERA of 2.66, a 1.070 WHIP and 58 strikeouts through 11 starts (81.1 innings).

Marichal’s career spanned 16 seasons, 14 of them with the Giants and his last two split between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. He earned 10 All-Star Game nominations, the ERA title in 1969 (2.10) and was the NL’s wins leader in 1963 and 1968. Overall, Marichal held a 243-142 record and a career ERA of 2.89. Marichal had his No. 27 retired by the Giants, and he received induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, his third year on the ballot