| Nemo Gaines | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1897-12-23)December 23, 1897 Alexandria, Virginia | |
| Died: January 26, 1979(1979-01-26) (aged 81) Warrenton, Virginia | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 26, 1921, for the Washington Senators | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 16, 1921, for the Washington Senators | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 0.00 |
| Strikeouts | 1 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Willard Roland "Nemo" Gaines (December 23, 1897 – January 26, 1979) was an American military officer and baseball player. He served as an officer in theUnited States Navy and played briefly as aMajor League Baseball (MLB)pitcher with theWashington Senators.
Gaines was born on December 23, 1897, inAlexandria, Virginia. He attended theUnited States Naval Academy.[1] He pitched for theNavy Midshipmen baseball team,lettering from 1919 through 1921.[2][3] He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1921.[2]
After graduating, he received a special leave from the Navy to pitch for theWashington Senators ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). In his MLB debut, he relievedGeorge Mogridge in a game against theNew York Yankees, facingBob Meusel,Wally Pipp,Aaron Ward andWally Schang.[1][4] On July 2, he pitched1+2⁄3 innings against thePhiladelphia Athletics.[5] He pitched another inning against the Athletics the next day.[6] His final appearance came on July 16 against theCleveland Indians.[7] In total, Gaines appeared in four games for the Senators between June 26 and July 16, 1921, pitching4+2⁄3innings while giving up fivehits, twowalks and noruns. The Senators lost all four games he appeared in.[8] Gaines was the only Navy Midshipman to play in MLB untilMitch Harris made his big league debut with theSt. Louis Cardinals in 2015.[9]
Gaines returned to the Navy after his brief stint in MLB. He served as an officer, reaching the rank ofcaptain. During World War II, Gaines served as U.S.naval attaché, stationed inPeru.[1] He retired in 1946 to Virginia, where he raisedHereford cattle and opened a hardware store with his brother.[1] He was a senior warden in theEpiscopal Church at the time of his death.
Gaines died on January 26, 1979, inWarrenton, Virginia, and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery.[10]
· Baseball Almanac