The Harrisburg Alumni Association

Jimmie DeShong during his time with the New York Yankees

Harrisburg-born Jimmie DeShong makes his major league debut 94 years ago today and pitches five innings of relief in the Philadelphia Athletics’ 12-6 loss to the New York Yankees at Shibe Park.‍

DeShong’s first game, in which he allows only one earned run in his five innings, comes against a New York lineup that features four future Hall of Famers in Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey and Lefty Gomez.

A couple of years later, DeShong finds himself as their teammate after moving from the Philadelphia to New York, where he spends the 1934-35 seasons and goes 10-8 with six saves in 60 appearances for the Yankees.

DeShong then plays four seasons with Washington, compiling a record of 37-36 with one of the majors’ worst teams before leaving the majors at the age of 29.

DeShong, though, never forgets his roots, returning to Harrisburg and living out a life that ends in 1993 at the age of 83.

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