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How a mediocre first baseman became the Yankees’ Opening Day starting pitcher

George McConell made his major league debut on April 13, 1909. The 30-year old rookie got the start at first base and went 2-4 as the then New York Highlanders beat the Washington Senators, 5-0.

First base is where McConell would play his first 11 major league games. Despite the impressive debut, he recorded just seven more hits in his next 38 at-bats. April 29th would be McConnell’s final appearance at first base for the season. He recorded his only extra-base hit of the year that day, but it wasn’t enough for him to retain the job.