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On This Day in Baseball History: May 4
Sources Lahman People + MLB StatsAPI127 debuts89 transactions
Every major-league debut, final game, transaction, birth and death recorded for May 4, newest first. Player names link to career pages where one exists, and each season links onward to that year’s awards and postseason archives.
Debuts127
Final games85
Transactions89
Born54
Died31
| Year | Move | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | New York Yankees signed free agent RHP Dariel Chalas to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | Baltimore Orioles signed free agent RHP Lou Trivino. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | Chicago White Sox signed free agent LF Randal Grichuk. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | Atlanta Braves traded C Jonah Heim to Athletics for cash. 2026 transaction archive |  |  |
| 2026 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Colby Frieda to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Baron Stuart to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - | |
| 2026 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Vince Velasquez to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | New York Yankees signed free agent SS Dariel Santana to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - | |
| 2026 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Raimi Mueses to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Miami Marlins traded 2B Luis Arraez to San Diego Padres for OF Dillon Head, OF Jakob Marsee, RHP Woo-Suk Go and 1B Nathan Martorella. 2024 transaction archive |  |  |
| 2024 | Chicago White Sox signed free agent 1B Jared Walsh to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Houston Astros traded RHP Joel Kuhnel to Toronto Blue Jays for cash. 2024 transaction archive |  |  |
| 2023 | New York Mets signed free agent RHP Dominic Leone. 2023 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2023 | San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Julio Teheran to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Curtis Taylor to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2023 | Seattle Mariners released 2B Tommy La Stella. 2023 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2023 | Chicago White Sox signed free agent RHP Reudis Diaz to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent LHP Justus Sheffield to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent LHP Darien Nunez to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2022 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent RHP Nelson Sevilla to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2022 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent RHP Bill Villanueva to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Eliseo Mota to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent LHP Luis Camilo to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Eiker Huizi to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Henry Montilla to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Oakland Athletics signed free agent LHP Mac Lardner to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Richard Fernandez to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Ramon Vasquez to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Felix Castro to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Wilmi Vizcaino to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Elvi Lina to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent 2B Logan Forsythe to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent C Christian Kelley to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent LHP Wade LeBlanc to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent SS Alcides Escobar to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2021 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent LHP Alex Katz to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Austin Krzeminski to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | New York Yankees signed free agent C Josue Gonzalez to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2021 | New York Yankees signed free agent LHP Henry Lalane to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | New York Yankees signed free agent RHP Fran Visamon to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Ryan Eades to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent RHP Hunter Haworth to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2021 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent C Tyler Flowers to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Ryan Dull to a minor league contract. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | Minnesota Twins traded 2B Adam Rosales to Cleveland Indians for cash. 2019 transaction archive | |  |
| 2019 | Washington Nationals traded RHP Austin Adams to Seattle Mariners for cash and LHP Nick Wells. 2019 transaction archive | | |
| 2019 | Cincinnati Reds released LF Matt Kemp. 2019 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2019 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Ronni Montero to a minor league contract. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent C Brennon Kaleiwahea to a minor league contract. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent 3B Curtis Mead to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2018 | Miami Marlins signed free agent RHP Sergio Palacio to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent LHP Paco Rodriguez to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent 3B Bradley Haslam to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Milwaukee Brewers traded LF Victor Roache to Los Angeles Dodgers for cash. 2017 transaction archive | | |
| 2017 | Atlanta Braves traded C Armando Araiza to Baltimore Orioles for cash. 2017 transaction archive | | |
| 2017 | New York Mets signed free agent RHP Blake Beavan to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Miami Marlins signed free agent SS Mike Aviles to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent RHP Israel Lantigua to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent RHP Reinardo Mota to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent LHP Luis Suarez to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent RHP Dannysmel Tavarez to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Miami Marlins signed free agent RHP Kenny Koplove to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent 2B Tanner Witt to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Texas Rangers traded C Chris Gimenez to Cleveland Indians for cash. 2016 transaction archive |  | |
| 2016 | Chicago White Sox signed free agent OF Michael Suiter to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent 3B Jonatan Mezquita to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Jean Reyes to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent 2B Renny Osuna to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2015 | St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent 1B Dan Johnson to a minor league contract. 2015 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2015 | Toronto Blue Jays traded RHP Matt West to Los Angeles Dodgers for cash. 2015 transaction archive | | |
| 2015 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent RHP Robert Stock to a minor league contract. 2015 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2015 | New York Mets signed free agent 1B Anderson Bohorquez to a minor league contract. 2015 transaction archive | - | |
| 2015 | New York Mets signed free agent RHP Ezequiel Zabaleta to a minor league contract. 2015 transaction archive | - | |
| 2015 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent CF Aaron Whitefield to a minor league contract. 2015 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Los Angeles Angels signed free agent LHP Dustin Richardson to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2013 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent RHP Tim Dillard to a minor league contract. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | San Diego Padres signed free agent OF Kalian Sams to a minor league contract. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RF Bobby Abreu. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Cleveland Indians traded RF Ryan Spilborghs to Texas Rangers for cash. 2012 transaction archive | | |
| 2012 | Milwaukee Brewers released LHP Zach Braddock. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Jesus Liranzo to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent RHP Virgilio Encarnacion to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent SS Raul Garcia to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent SS Rafael Gomez to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Texas Rangers signed free agent CF Leonys Martin. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent RHP Ysrael Abreu to a minor league contract. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | New York Yankees signed free agent C Daniel Vavrusa to a minor league contract. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | New York Yankees signed free agent C Roybell Herrera to a minor league contract. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Connor Phillips |
| 1999 | Andrés Chaparro |
| 1999 | Max Castillo |
| 1998 | Yonny Hernandez |
| 1995 | Akeem Bostick |
| 1994 | Ryan Meisinger |
| 1992 | Cam Booser |
| 1989 | Nick Noonan |
| 1988 | Christian Bergman |
| 1984 | Kevin Slowey |
| 1984 | Sam LeCure |
| 1982 | Matt Tolbert |
| 1979 | Ryan Jorgensen |
| 1976 | Ben Grieve |
| 1976 | Jason Michaels |
| 1976 | Robinson Cancel |
| 1974 | Miguel Cairo |
| 1972 | Manny Aybar |
| 1971 | Brian Maxcy |
| 1971 | Joe Borowski |
| 1968 | Eddie Perez |
| 1957 | Rick Leach |
| 1956 | Ken Oberkfell |
| 1956 | Ubaldo Heredia |
| 1952 | Fred Andrews |
| 1950 | Butch Alberts |
| 1950 | Jack Baker |
| 1949 | Pat Osburn |
| 1945 | Rene Lachemann |
| 1943 | Dick Nold |
| 1938 | Howie Koplitz |
| 1936 | John Tsitouris |
| 1927 | Hal Hudson |
| 1926 | Bert Thiel |
| 1921 | Larry Drake |
| 1919 | Cy Block |
| 1915 | Don Manno |
| 1915 | Ox Miller |
| 1914 | Harl Maggert |
| 1912 | Sid Gautreaux |
| 1907 | Milt Galatzer |
| 1895 | Charlie Babington |
| 1892 | Jack Tobin |
| 1892 | Ted Turner |
| 1892 | Zip Collins |
| 1891 | Frank Bruggy |
| 1891 | Vic Saier |
| 1888 | Ralph Pond |
| 1879 | Larry Milton |
| 1876 | Dave Murphy |
| 1875 | Lou Gertenrich |
| 1872 | John Malarkey |
| 1854 | Flip Lafferty |
| 1854 | Jim Shanley |
| Year | Player | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Ray Peters | 72 |
| 2006 | Jim Delsing | 80 |
| 1998 | Sam Gentile | 81 |
| 1997 | Butch Weis | 96 |
| 1996 | Gus Keriazakos | 64 |
| 1991 | Bill Macdonald | 62 |
| 1990 | Jim Schelle | 73 |
| 1986 | Hal Luby | 72 |
| 1986 | Paul Richards | 77 |
| 1985 | Bill Kunkel | 48 |
| 1976 | Bob Cooney | 68 |
| 1972 | Vic Sorrell | 71 |
| 1971 | Billy Mullen | 75 |
| 1966 | Bob Elliott | 49 |
| 1965 | Guy Sturdy | 65 |
| 1963 | Dickey Kerr | 69 |
| 1963 | Pat McNulty | 64 |
| 1963 | Ray Pierce | 65 |
| 1961 | Frank Jude | 76 |
| 1956 | Gus Dorner | 79 |
| 1954 | Otto McIvor | 69 |
| 1952 | Burt Keeley | 72 |
| 1951 | Charlie Buelow | 74 |
| 1950 | Vince Molyneaux | 61 |
| 1948 | John Dolan | 80 |
| 1935 | Dory Dean | 82 |
| 1922 | Bill Daley | 53 |
| 1918 | Maury Uhler | 31 |
| 1915 | Chuck Lauer | 50 |
| 1910 | Patrick Gillespie | 58 |
| 1904 | Frank Quinlan | 35 |
About these records
Every dated event on this page is read directly from the source tables: debuts, final games, birth dates and death dates from the SABR / Sean Lahman baseball database (2025 edition, People table), used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, and transactions from the official MLB StatsAPI transactions archive captured through 2026-10-22. Nothing is inferred: a record appears here only when the source carries a complete month and day for May 4.
Honesty notes: the staged People table records complete dates or none, and no partial dates had to be excluded. Missing dates are not unknowns everywhere: an empty death date means the player is living (10,918 rows), an empty final-game date means no end date is recorded (1,932 rows), and 398 rows have no birth date. Early records reach back to the 1870s; 19th-century dates reflect the best retrospective research in the source and are shown exactly as recorded. Award winners and postseason series are staged by season with no calendar day in the source, so they are linked from each season above instead of being dated here. The transaction window covers 2011 to 2026 only. Player names link to career pages for every player who has one.
See the sources page for every dataset behind Legends Deck.