SF Giants : Cleveland Indians : Pittsburgh Pirates : Oakland Athletics

Johnnie LeMaster played 12 seasons in the Big Leagues, spending 10 years as the starting shortshop for the SF Giants. Johnnie set a Major League record in his first-at-bat in 1975. He was called up from the minors late in the season and inserted in the line-up when the starting shortshop went down with an injury. Hall of Fame pitcher, Don Sutton threw him a fast ball after he swung and missed at two breaking balls. Johnnie hammered the ball to straight center. On the old Astro Turf at Candlestick, the ball took a high hop over the Centerfielder's head and Johnnie became only the 43 Major Leaguer to hit a homerun in his first at bat BUT the only one to hit an inside-the-park homer!

As Johnnie say's, "I thought it was going to be easy from that point on". Although not destined to be a homerun hitter, Johnnie put together a wonderful career and many solid years with the Giants, with 1983 being his finest with over 100 hits and 39 stolen bases. Johnnie coaches baseball, owns a sporting good store and deeply appreciates the gift of playing Major League baseball. We know he will make a big contribution to the Fields of Green Team.