 After going hitless in his first four at bats as a pinch hitter and substitute third baseman, he started his first Major League game on July 11, 1954, against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field.Although he drew a base on balls against Carl Erskine, Command was still hitless in seven plate appearances as a Major Leaguer when he came to bat in the top half of the eighth inning with two outs, the bases loaded and the Phillies trailing 7–3.