Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Pitchers Who Played Other Positions, Part 5

Pitchers who played in the field for other reasons:

1. Rick Rhoden, New York Yankees, June 11, 1988.

Rhoden, a .238 career batter, started at DH and batted 7th. Yankee manager Billy Martin thought that the right-handed Rhoden was his best available option against Oriole lefty Jeff Ballard; righties Willie Randolph and Rickey Henderson were hurt, and Jose Cruz and Claudell Washington were left-handed.

Rhoden grounded out leading off the 3rd and drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly in the 4th. In the 5th inning, with Ballard knocked out of the game, Rhoden was pinch-hit for by Cruz.

2. Ron Guidry, New York Yankees, August 18, 1983.

The Pine Tar game of July 24 resumed 24 days later, and several Yankees who had played in that game were no longer available. Catcher Rick Cerone and 2B Bert Campaneris were hurt, and CF Jerry Mumphrey had been traded to Houston on August 10.

The Yankees were down 5-4 with two outs in the top of the 9th. Billy Martin had Oscar Gamble and Omar Moreno available to play CF, but chose Guidry, putting him in Cerone's slot in the order, due up 3rd in the 9th. Most likely, he did this to leave his pinch-running and hitting options open. Moreno had good speed, stealing 37 bases on the year, but was not much of a hitter; Gamble was a power hitter in decline. The Yankee defense of the top of the 9th was irrelevant, as Hal McRae struck out to end the inning.

Whatever strategy Martin had in using Guidry was for naught. 2B Don Mattingly, leading off the bottom of the 9th, flew out to center, and Gamble, pinch-hitting for Guidry with 2 outs, grounded to 2nd base to end the game.

3. Jim Rooker, Kansas City Royals, May 2, 1970.

Rooker pinch-ran for catcher Jim Campanis at 3rd base with 0 outs and a 3-3 score in the bottom of the 15th. The Royals didn't score, and Rooker stayed in the game in LF, with LF Lou Pinella moving to 1B and 1B Ed Kirkpatrick moving to C. (Oddly, the Royals chose not to use backup catcher Ellie Rodriguez in the 16th; he would come in at C for the 17th, replacing Pinella, who had been ejected in the bottom of the 16th, with Kirkpatrick moving back to 1B.) Rooker did not field a ball in his 2 innings in LF, and would score the winning run in the bottom of the 17th.

4. Steve Blass, Pittsburgh Pirates, August 31, 1968.

Blass, the starting pitcher, moved to LF after retiring the first batter so that Elroy Face could tie Walter Johnson's major league record for most games by a pitcher in one league (802). Face retired Felix Millan, and Blass returned to the mound, pitching the rest of the way in an 8-0 Pirate win. After the game, Face was sold to the Detroit Tigers for an undisclosed sum.

5. Tom Burgmeier, California Angels, September 3, 1968, and Kansas City Royals, May 25, 1969.

In the 1968 game, Burgmeier played LF in the 9th inning, as starting LF Rick Reichardt had been pinch-run for by pitcher Clyde Wright in the bottom of the 8th down 4-2. Burgmeier fielded one ball, a leadoff double to left, as the Indians scored 3 runs to increase their lead to 7-2.

In the 1969 game, Burgmeier pinch-ran for RF Hawk Taylor in the top of the 12th up 3-2 and stayed on in RF in the bottom of that inning. He did not field a ball, as the Royals held on to win.

6. John Upham, Chicago Cubs, August 7, 1968 and August 18, 1968 (Game 1 of doubleheader).

Upham actually pinch-hit more than he played any other position in his two-year career (PH: 9; P: 7; PR: 3; CF: 1; LF: 1). In 1968, his last year, he appeared in the field in 4 games, the first and the third as a pitcher, and the second and fourth in the outfield.

In the August 7 game, Upham came in to play LF down 10-1 in the bottom of the 8th. He did not field a ball.

Upham started the August 18 in CF, batting 7th. He fielded 3 singles, but did not catch a ball, and went 0-3 at the plate, as the Cubs lost 2-1.

7. Don Larsen, Kansas City Athletics, May 23, 1961.

Larsen started the game in LF, batting 4th. Larsen was known as a good athlete and a decent hitter (he was used 12 times to pinch-hit in 1961 and batted .242 for his career). He was not good on this day, however, striking out twice while going 0-4. In LF, he caught three fly balls and fielded a single, as the Kansas City lost 7-3.

8. Mickey McDermott, Kansas City Athletics, August 2, 1957 (Game 1 and Game 2 of doubleheader).

McDermott, a lefty, was a .256 lifetime hitter. With rookie righty Jerry Walker starting Game 1 for the Orioles, McDermott started at 1B and batted 2nd. In the top of the 1st, McDermott singled and later scored; with 2 outs and the bases loaded, Walker was pulled for lefty Billy O'Dell. With the lefty now pitching, McDermott was replaced by righty Vic Power in the bottom of the 1st, not playing 1B for a single batter. (O'Dell would pitch a remarkable 11-2/3 innings in relief.)

In Game 2, righty Connie Johnson started for the Orioles, and McDermott again started at 1B and batted 2nd. Unlike Walker, Johnson stayed in the game past the 1st inning, and McDermott stayed in as well. McDermott would make an error in the 1st, leading to an unearned run, and was replaced by Power in the bottom of the 6th with the score 2-2. In the game, McDermott went 1-3 and had 5 putouts.

9. Dick Hall, Pittsburgh Pirates, August 2, 1956.

Hall started his career as a utility player, but was moved to pitcher during the 1955 season. This was the last game he'd play in the field, though his career would last until 1972.

Hall started the game at 1B. This seems to be an attempt by the Pirates to get as many righties in the lineup against lefty pitcher Vinegar Bend Mizell. The Pirates normally had a platoon at first base, with righty Jack Shepard and lefty Dale Long, but Shepard was starting at catcher. The Pirates' regular catcher, Hank Foiles was likely injured - Shepard played every inning of the next 10 games at catcher, including both halves of a doubleheader on August 5.

The strategy worked, as Hall singled off Mizell to lead off the second inning.

Mizell left the game one batter later due to a pulled muscle in his back and was replaced by righty Herm Wehmeier (who, oddly, is referred to as "St. Louis' starting pitcher" in the Associated Press recap). Hall was pinch-hit for by Long in the 3rd inning.

10. Ruben Gomez, New York Giants, June 19, 1956.

The Giants were missing starting second baseman Red Schoendist, right fielder Don Mueller, and third baseman/outfielder Henry Thompson, leaving them with a short bench and the defensively-challenged George Wilson playing right field.

In the bottom of the 7th, leading 1-0, the Giants pinch-ran for left fielder Dusty Rhodes with their only remaining OF, rookie Jackie Brandt. (It worked - Brandt moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a short single to left.)

Up 2-0 after 7 innings, Gomez, supposedly "a part-time outfielder in Puerto Rico," came in to replace Wilson for what the New York Times termed "obvious reasons." (Two balls had been hit to Wilson during the game, one "subdued" and one played into a triple. And for the next two months, the Giants used Wilson as a pinch-hitter only before waiving him in mid-August.)

Gomez did not field a ball in RF, but did hit into a 4-6-3 double play in the bottom of the 8th to end a bases-loaded, one-out rally.

Pitchers Who Played Other Positions, Part 4

Pitchers who played in the field during the final days of the season:

1. Bill Wegman, Milwaukee Brewers, October 1, 1995.

The last day of the 1995 season, and the final game of Wegman's career. With an 8-0 lead in the top of the 9th, as a reward for years of shagging fly balls in batting practice, Brewer manager Phil Garner brought Wegman in to play RF. Two balls were hit his way, a 418-foot homer and a solid single.

After the game, Wegman was all smiles, holding the lineup card "as proof that I got to play [outfield] in the major leagues. That's been my goal forever."

2. Randy Johnson, Seattle Mariners, October 3, 1993.

The last day of the 1993 season. Down 7-2 in the bottom of the 8th, Johnson was put in at LF. He wanted to play first base, but 1B Dave Magadan was due to bat in the top of the 9th. Johnson did not field a ball in the 8th.

3. Roger McDowell, Los Angeles Dodgers, October 6, 1991.

The last day of the 1991 season and the Dodgers had been eliminated the day before. McDowell played the 9th inning in LF and did not field a ball, as the Dodgers closed out a 2-0 win.

4. Don Robinson, Pittsburgh Pirates, September 30, 1984 (Game 2 of doubleheader).

On the final day of the 1984 season, Robinson started in LF and batted 3rd. He played the first 5 innings, catching 2 fly balls and going 1-3 with an RBI.

5. Rick Langford, Oakland A's, October 3, 1982.

The last day of the 1982 season. Langford entered the game in the bttom of the 5th, playing CF, and was shifted to LF in the 6th. He caught one lineout, and fielded a single. Langford was replaced after striking out in the top of the 8th.

6. Ron Guidry, New York Yankees, September 29, 1979.

The next-to-last day of the 1979 season (Guidry was the starting pitcher the next day). According to Yankee manager Billy Martin, Guidry "was talking about playing center field, so I asked him if he really wanted to." Guidry took Martin up on his offer, and with two outs in the top of the 9th, up 9-3, Guidry entered the game in CF. He did not field a ball, and the Yankees went on to win 9-4.

Note: At the same time Guidry entered the game, Don Hood replaced Tommy John at pitcher. (In fact, Guidry himself went to the mound to change pitchers, presaging his current role by 27 years.) By appearing in his 40th game, Hood earned a $5,000 bonus. I imagine Billy Martin was happy to make George Steinbrenner pay the money.

7. Bobby Shantz, New York Yankees, September 29, 1958 (Game 2 of doubleheader).

The last day of the 1958 season. Shantz had pitched the 7th and 8th, and moved to CF in the 9th. He caught one fly ball, as the Yankees won 6-3.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Pitchers Who Played Other Positions, Part 3

Pitchers who played another position because their teams were out of position players:

Note that many of these games occurred between 1986 and 1989, when major league teams voluntarily shortened their rosters to 24 from 25 to save money.


New. Bryan Mitchell, New York Yankees, April 30, 2017.


New. Travis Wood, Spencer Patton, and Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs, June 28, 2016.


New. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks, April 24, 2016.

Shortstop Nick Ahmed was ejected arguing a called third strike in the bottom of the 12th.  For the 13th inning, 2B Jean Segura moved to SS, RF Brandon Drury moved to 2B, LF Yasmany Tomas moved to RF, and Miller, who had come into the game as a pinch runner for Zach Greinke (who was himself pinch hitting for the pitcher), moved to LF.  The Diamondbacks would give up two runs in the 13th, both scoring on hits to Miller.

New. Jason Gurka, Colorado Rockies, September 15, 2015.

Carlos Gonzalez fouled a ball off his leg in the top of the 16th inning.  Though Gonzalez completed his at bat, he was replaced by Gurka in RF for the bottom of the 16th.  (Note: Gurka was not one of the record 13 pitchers used by the Rockies in this game.)

New. Roy Oswalt, Philadelphia Phillies, August 24, 2010.

Ryan Howard was ejected for arguing a check-swing third strike that ended the bottom of the 14th inning. Oswalt, making his first appearance against his former team, came in to play LF to start the 15th inning, with LF Raul Ibanez moving to 1B for the first time since 2005.

1. Kyle Lohse, St. Louis Cardinals, April 17, 2010.

The Cardinals had used all 7 members of their bullpen through 17 scoreless innings and didn't want to use a starter to pitch, so 3B Felipe Lopez moved to the mound. CF Joe Mather moved to 3B, RF Ryan Ludwick moved to CF, LF Allen Craig moved to RF, and Lohse came in to play LF.

Lohse fielded two balls in three innings, a sacrifice fly in the 19th and a pop fly down the line in the 20th. He also grounded out with the tying run at 2nd and 1 out in the bottom of the 19th.

2. Noah Lowry, San Francisco Giants, June 8, 2007.
Starting catcher Bengie Molina was taken out of the game for precautionary reasons in the 5th inning, leaving Eliezer Alfonzo as the Giants' only available catcher. However, Alfonzo was hurt during a 10th inning collision at the plate, forcing the Giants to scramble their defense. Third baseman Pedro Feliz, who had never caught in the majors, moved to C; CF Randy Winn moved to 3B for the first time in his career; RF Dan Ortmeier (who had replaced the injured Fred Lewis in the 1st inning) moved to CF, and Lowry came off the bench to play right.

After a six-minute delay, the game resumed with a runner on 1st and 2 outs in the top of the 10th. Lowry did not field a ball during his short stint in the field; the A's hit consecutive singles to score twice, and also twice stole 2nd on the inexperienced Feliz to take a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the 10th, Lowry, a .178 career hitter, struck out to end the game.

3. Jason Simontacchi, St. Louis Cardinals, April 10, 2004.

Up 10-2 in the 8th inning, Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa emptied his bench. However, replacement RF Roger Cedeno pulled his left hamstring chasing Danny Bautista's single in the bottom of the 8th. Cedeno played the rest of the inning, but would be unable to continue (he was placed on the disabled list the next day and did not return until May 13). In the top of the 9th, Simontacchi pinch-hit for Cedeno, grounding out, and played the bottom of the 9th at LF, with LF Marlon Anderson moving to RF. Simontacchi did not field a ball in his one inning at LF.

4. Chuck McElroy, New York Mets, August 8, 1999.

McElroy and LF Matt Franco swapped positions in the top of the 9th with the Mets trailing the Dodgers 13-3. McElroy fielded a leadoff single and caught a fly ball in his one inning in the outfield.

5. Rick Reed, New York Mets, July 2, 1999.

With 2 outs in the 9th inning, down 13-0, Met pitcher John Franco strained the tendon of the middle finger on his pitching hand (he would be placed on the DL the next day, and would not pitch again until September 5). Out of position players on the bench, but not wanting to use his bullpen, Met manager Bobby Valentine moved 3B Matt Franco to the mound, 2B Luis Lopez to 3B, RF Roger Cedeno to 2B, and Reed (normally a starting pitcher) came off the bench to play RF. Reed fielded one ball, an Otis Nixon triple hit over his head.

6. Ricky Bones, Milwaukee Brewers, August 24, 1993 (Game 2).

Brewers 2B Dickie Thon was ejected, along with nine other coaches and players, after a 25-minute brawl after the bottom of the 9th. (The brawl was started after Oakland's Dennis Eckersley was ejected for arguing balls and strikes; Oakland manager Tony LaRussa then argued with the home plate umpire for several minutes, prompting Brewers' manager Phil Garner to complain about the delay. LaRussa and Garner began to argue with each other, Oakland 1B Troy Neel tackled Thon, and the benches emptied.)

Bones was inserted in RF, with RF Darryl Hamilton moving to CF, CF Robin Yount moving to 1B, and 1B John Jaha moving to 2B (for the first and only time in his career). After one uneventful inning, Bones was replaced in RF by DH Kevin Reimer (who had led the AL in outfield errors the previous season in only 110 games).

7. Jose DeLeon, St. Louis Cardinals, May 14, 1988.

After pitching the 15th inning, tied at 5, Randy O'Neal left the game with a sore arm (later diagnosed as an inflammed shoulder). Cardinal manager Whitey Herzog had only three players left on the bench: Randy McWilliams, the next day's starter (who might not have even been in the ballpark, as the next day's game was a day game following the May 14 night game); John Tudor, who had thrown 97 pitches two days earlier; and DeLeon, who had thrown 132 pitches the night before. In the 16th inning, Herzog moved 1B Jose Oquendo to the mound, LF Duane Walker to 1B, and brought in DeLeon to play LF.

For the next 4 innings, DeLeon played LF when a lefty hitter batted and would swap positions with RF Tom Brunansky when a righty hitter batted. Incredibly, they would do this 11 times (DeLeon's listing in the box score: lf, rf, lf, rf, lf, rf, lf, rf, lf, rf, lf, rf). Despite the swaps, DeLeon fielded 2 balls: a fly out to left in the top of the 16th and the go-ahead 2-run double to left in the 19th.

Tudor pinch hit for DeLeon in the bottom of the 19th and grounded out.

8. Ricky Horton, St. Louis Cardinals, August 7, 1987.

Down 12-4 in the bottom of the 8th, out of position players and not wanting to use his bullpen, Herzog moved Oquendo from SS to pitcher, Willie McGee from CF to SS, John Morris from RF to CF, and Horton (normally a relief pitcher) came off the bench to play RF. Horton fielded 2 balls in his 1 inning in right: an RBI double and an RBI single, with the Cardinals losing the game 15-5.

9 & 10. Randy Bockus and Jeff Robinson, San Francisco Giants, September 28, 1986.

Robby Thompson, despite an ailing lower back, was pressed into service as the last man off the bench in the top of the 12th of a 3-3 game. By the bottom of the 13th, Thompson could no longer play (he would miss the Giants' final 6 games), and Bockus (a September callup relief pitcher) pinch-hit for him. Bockus struck out, and would stay in the game in LF for the 14th inning. With the bases loaded and 1 out in the top of the 14th and righty Jeff Hamilton batting, Giants manager Roger Craig swapped Bockus and RF Mike Aldrete. However, Hamilton would single to Bockus in right, driving in a run. Bockus would continue in RF for the rest of the inning.

In the bottom of the 14th, the Giants tied the game at 5. With runners at 1st and 3rd and 1 out, Mike Krukow, a starting pitcher with a .193 career batting average, pinch hit for Bockus. Krukow lined what looked like the game-winning single to center, but because there was a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs, CF Jose Gonzalez was playing in and caught the ball.

Jeff Robinson, normally a relief pitcher, replaced Krukow and played RF for the final 2 innings. He did not field a ball.

11 & 12. Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell, New York Mets, July 22, 1986.

After a brutal bottom of the 10th inning brawl, Mets 3B Ray Knight (who had punched Eric Davis in the face, emptying both benches) and RF Kevin Mitchell were ejected. With only catcher Ed Hearn left on the bench, Mets manager Davey Johnson put Hearn in at C, moved C Gary Carter to 3B, lefty P Orosco to RF and brought in righty McDowell to pitch. McDowell got out of a man on 3rd, 1 out jam to end the 10th.

With 2 outs, a man on 2nd, and lefty Max Venable due up in the 11th, the Mets swapped McDowell and Orosco. The umpires let Orosco throw the customary eight warmup pitches, prompting a protest from Reds manager Pete Rose, who contended that Orosco was not allowed to warm up, as he had pitched earlier in the game. Orosco struck out Venable to end the 11th.

In the 12th, Orosco allowed a leadoff single. Orosco was clearly tiring, and McDowell came back to the mound, despite the fact that the next three hitters were left-handed. With the lefties due up, Orosco went to LF, and LF Mookie Wilson went to RF.

In the 13th, with righties due up, Orosco and Wilson swapped positions, and would play there for the final 2 innings. Orosco fielded 1 ball, a fly out in the 13th.

In the top of the 14th, Orosco, batting with a runner on 2nd and 0 outs, walked. McDowell, the next batter, struck out, but Howard Johnson homered, giving the Mets a 6-3 lead. McDowell induced three groundouts in the bottom of the 14th to close out the victory.

13. Jaime Easterly, Milwaukee Brewers, May 23, 1983.

Brewer DH Ted Simmons led off the bottom of the 13th inning with a walk and was pinch-run for by Moose Haas, normally a pitcher. The Brewers did not score in the 13th, and the DH spot came up again in the 14th with runners on 1st and 3rd and 2 outs. Easterly, who had a .164 batting average in the National League from 1974-79, pinch hit for Haas, but grounded to short to end the inning. Easterly batted again in the 17th, successfully sacrifice bunting.

14. Fernando Valenzuela, Los Angeles Dodgers, August 17-18, 1982 and June 3, 1989.
15. Bob Welch, Los Angeles Dodgers, August 17-18, 1982.

The 1982 game, played at Wrigley Field, was suspended after 17 innings due to darkness. After 19 innings, the Dodgers had used 23 players, everyone besides starting pitchers Valenzuela and Welch. Disaster struck when 3B Ron Cey was ejected after he was picked off in the top of the 20th; Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda alleged that 1st base umpire Dave Pallone, knowing the Dodgers had no position players left, deliberately threw out Cey in an effort to get them to forfeit.

In the bottom of the 20th, Dodger RF Pedro Guerrero moved to 3B and Valenzuela came in to play RF. Valenzuela was thrilled to play in the field; after the game, he said that this was "one of the most exciting days of my life because I have always dreamed of playing in a position other than pitching." Valenzuela caught a fly ball with 1 out in the 20th. However, with 2 lefties due up to bat, Lasorda swapped Valenzuela and LF Dusty Baker.



The Dodgers would take the lead in the top of the 21st, though Valenzuela, a .200 career hitter, grounded out with men on 1st and 2nd to end the inning. Welch would take his place in LF (perhaps Fernando was considered too valuable to risk injury?). Like Valenzuela, Welch alternated between LF and RF depending on the hitter, and did not field a ball as the Dodgers closed out a 2-1 victory.

Note: Jerry Reuss, who pitched the final 4 innings of this game for the Dodgers after it resumed, would start and win the regularly scheduled game that day.

The 1989 game was tied at 4 after 20 innings. The Dodgers had used 22 players, everyone but Valenzuela, the previous night's starter, and Tim Belcher, the next day's starting pitcher, who was back at the team hotel (the next day's game was a day game following the June 3 night game). Orel Hershiser had thrown 7 shutout innings in relief and wanted to continue, but Lasorda wouldn't let him.

In the bottom of the 21st, Dodger 3B Jeff Hamilton moved to pitcher, 1B Eddie Murray moved to 3B, and Valenzuela came in to play 1B. In 2 innings at 1B, Valenzuela would field 2 balls, a pop out and a throw from the pitcher. However, in the 22nd, with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, Rafael Ramirez would single just over the leaping Valenzuela, driving in the winning run. (Valenzuela was 5'11", with a chunky physique; the 6'2" Murray might have caught it.)

Note 1: The game ended at 2:50 a.m. Central Standard Time. Many cable viewers in the Southwest missed the end of the game; the channel carrying Astros games, Houston Sports Entertainment, did not offer 24 hours of programming, and was "piggybacked" onto another channel on several cable systems. At 2 a.m., the feed automatically switched to that other channel.

Note 2: Because normal weekend fill-in Don Drysdale had laryngitis, Vin Scully, Dodger announcer, called the Dodgers-Astros game in Houston the previous night, flew to St. Louis to do the NBC Game of the Week (a 10-inning, 3-1/2 hour game) earlier in the day, and flew back to Houston to work this game. Amazingly, he would call the entire Sunday game, a 13-inning, 4:17 affair.

16. Bobby Castillo, Los Angeles Dodgers, September 10, 1980.

Albuquerque, the Dodger AAA team, was in contention to win the Pacific Coast League, and the Dodgers did not want to hamper Albuquerque by calling up extra players. The decision not to do so would be costly.

In the September 10th game, Bobby Mitchell, Dodger CF, was injured running the bases in the top of the 11th, and the Dodgers had no position players left to replace him. Up 5-3 in the bottom of the 11th, the Dodgers moved 35-year-old Rick Monday from RF to CF, and brought in Castillo, a relief pitcher, to play RF. Castillo and LF Dusty Baker swapped positions depending on the handedness of the batter.

The Astros led off the 11th with a single to center, a force out, and a double to center. It is doubtful, but unclear, whether a more rangy CF would have caught either hit. The Astros later tied the game at 5, but the inning would end on an Enos Cabell fly ball double play, with Baker in RF throwing the potential winning run out at the plate.

(Note: Retrosheet says Castillo. Castillo playing RF makes more sense, as Cabell was a righty, but the game reports are clear that Baker was in right.
LA Times, 9/11/1980: "Enos Cabell was the batter, and the Dodgers went about saving the game again - switching left fielder Dusty Baker and Castillo and shifting the entire the outfield toward right.

"Sure enough, Cabell hit a soft liner right at Baker, who threw out pinch runner Julio Gonzalez at the plate.")

The Dodgers lost the game in the 12th inning on a Jose Cruz, Sr. home run, and the loss dropped the Dodgers into a flat-footed tie with the Astros for the NL West lead.

Dodger players were understandably upset. Rick Monday, Dodger outfielder, after the game: "Obviously, they think the minor league playoffs are more important than the major league playoffs. We've needed an infielder for four weeks now."

The Astros clearly had a different philosophy. Unlike the Dodgers, who had called up only 2 players, the Astros had called up 9. This had an effect on the Astros' AAA team, Tucson, who would be eliminated by Albuquerque in the PCL playoffs, but, as Astros manager Bill Virdon said, "[W]e still had players left on the bench at the end of the game." Those players included call-ups Gary Woods, who pinch-hit and singled in the tying run in the 11th, and Scott Loucks, who had pinch-run and scored that tying run.

The next day, Albuquerque beat Hawaii, winning the PCL title, and the Dodgers called up 2 players: 40-year-old pinch-hitter Vic Davalillo and 26-year-old infielder Jack Perconte.

Both L.A. and Houston would finish the regular season with 92-70 records, but Houston won the playoff game 7-1. I can't imagine the Dodgers cared about Albuquerque's pennant fate in subsequent years.

17. Dave Stieb, Toronto Blue Jays, August 28-29, 1980.

The August 28 game, tied at 5 after the 14th inning, was suspended at 5:03 p.m. Toronto time (Retrosheet has 4 p.m., but is contradicted by game reports) because of the ongoing Canadian National Exhibition. Fans were annoyed (especially because they would not be allowed in the following day to see the conclusion of the game), but Exhibition Stadium had to be prepared for a poorly reviewed rock concert that night (The Cars, with opening act Martha Davis & the Motels).

The next morning, Otto Velez, who had played all 14 innings at 1B, fractured his left cheekbone in a two-car crash (the other driver, 19-year old Dawn Binkowski, had run a red light), and this injury would cost him the rest of the season. Velez was a passenger; the driver was Twins OF/DH Bombo Rivera, who was not hurt.

When the game resumed, the Blue Jays needed to replace Velez, but had no position players left. Stieb came off the bench to play LF and LF Garth Iorg moved to 1B. Stieb fielded one ball in the top of the 15th, an RBI single to left, as the Twins scored twice to take a 7-5 lead. In the bottom of the 15th, Stieb flied to center in what would be one of two plate appearances in his career (the second would come 18 years later, during interleague play).

18. Terry Forster, Pittsburgh Pirates, July 1, 1977.

The Pirates used their remaining bench in the top of the 14th in taking a 6-4 lead. The Phillies rallied, however, leading off with two singles and a double. The double scored Mike Schmidt from 2nd; Schmidt had not run hard, thinking the ball would be a homer, and he just beat the throw to the plate. The Pirates disagreed, and SS Frank Tavarez was ejected for arguing. With no position players left, the Pirates shifted 2B Phil Garner to SS, RF Dave Parker to 2B (his only career game there), and put Forster in RF.

(Forster must have been a decent athlete when he was younger; he batted .397 [31 for 78] for his career and was twice used to pinch-run. Later in his career, he packed on the pounds, and was memorably described by David Letterman in June 1985 as "a fat tub of goo." Forster would capitalize on his sudden fame, appearing on Letterman's show [walking on stage while eating a sandwich] in July, releasing a music video entitled "Fat Is In" [set on a dessert island, the Isle of Chocolate Cones] in August, and speaking at schools and corporate events after the season ended. Unfortunately for Forster, he was quickly upstaged by the even more corpulent William "Refrigerator" Perry, who would debut with the Bears that September. Perhaps Forster realized that he no longer had cult-hero status as "THE fat athlete"; he spent two weeks in November at a fat farm, and lost 45 pounds in the off-season.)

The Phillies would score twice more in the 14th inning, singling in the winning run over a drawn-in infield. Forster did not field a ball.

19. Steve Renko, Montreal Expos, September 22, 1972.

Expos SS Tim Foli was probably ejected after grounding into a double play to end the top of the 10th inning (the record is unclear, but he played in 11 of the Expos' final 12 games, all meaningless, so he was likely not injured). With no bench players left, pitcher Steve Renko played 1B for the next 3 innings with 1B Bob Bailey moving to 3B and 3B Coco Laboy moving to SS. Renko had 5 putouts, but the Expos would lose in the 12th.

20. Bennie Daniels, Washington Senators, May 7, 1963.

Washington RF Jim King was either injured or ejected after his second strike while batting in the bottom of the 10th (likely injured, as he didn't play the next day, a 13-inning game). With no position players left, pitcher Jim Bronstad pinch-hit for King, striking out (charged to King). In the 11th, 40-year old LF Minnie Minoso moved to RF (his only appearance there in 1963) and Daniels came off the bench to play LF. The Indians had 3 hits to right in the inning, scoring 4 times, while Daniels did not field a ball.

21. Jim Maloney, Cincinnati Reds, September 29, 1961.

The Reds had recently clinched the pennant, and with an 7-1 lead in the 5th, began to empty their bench. The Reds' last substitute was pinch-hitter extraordinaire Jerry Lynch (19 for 47, 25 RBI as a pinch hitter in 1961) in the top of the 9th, batting for RF Wally Post. Lynch struck out looking, argued the call, and was ejected. This forced the Reds to use Maloney, a starting pitcher, at LF for the bottom of the 9th, with LF Gus Bell moving to RF. In his inning in LF, Maloney caught one fly ball.

22. Claude Osteen, Cincinnati Reds, April 27, 1961.

Down 3-2 in the top of the 8th, with men on 2nd on 3rd and 2 outs, Reds 3B Willie Jones contested a 2-1 strike call and was ejected from the game. With no position players left, Osteen (.188 career BA) pinch-hit for Jones and struck out (credited to Jones). Osteen stayed in the game at LF, with LF Frank Robinson moving to 3B, and did not field a ball in his one inning of play.

23. Hal Brown, Baltimore Orioles, July 23, 1958.

The Orioles emptied their bench in the top of the 9th, coming back from a 4-2 deficit with a 4-run inning. In the bottom of the 9th, Gus Triandos (who had pinch-hit for the SS) came in to catch, Jim Busby (who had pinch-run for the catcher) went to CF, 3B Brooks Robinson moved to 2B, 2B Billy Gardner moved to SS, CF Al Pilarcik moved to RF, and Brown came in to play 3B. (Brown replaced RF Gene Woodling in the lineup. Woodling had never played a non-outfield position in the majors and was 35 years old, so maybe he was uncomfortable moving to the infield.) Brown did not field a ball in a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Pitchers Who Played Other Positions, Part 2

Note that many of these games occurred between 1986 and 1989, when major league teams voluntarily shortened their rosters to 24 from 25 to save money.

Pitchers who moved from pitcher to another position so that a different pitcher would have the platoon advantage (all pitchers righty except as noted):

New. Cory Gearrin, San Francisco Giants, September 9, 2016.

New. Travis Wood, Chicago Cubs, July 31, 2016.

1. Wesley Wright, Houston Astros, July 27, 2012.

Wright, one of three lefties in the Astros bullpen, was brought in to start the 8th inning with the Astros leading the Pirates 5-4. The first batter of the inning, lefty Alex Presley, grounded to second.

With righty Andrew McCutchen coming up, Wright was moved to RF, replacing Ben Francisco, and righty Wilton Lopez came in to pitch.

After McCutchen doubled, Wright returned to the mound, and Brian Bogusevic came in to play RF.

In the short team, the strategy worked.  Righty Garrett Jones flied to center, and switch-hitting Neil Walker grounded to third to end the 8th.  Wright stayed in for the top of the 9th, striking out lefty Pedro Alvarez.

Astros manager Brad Mills then went back to his bullpen, bringing in rookie right-hander Rhiner Cruz and his 6.88 ERA to face righty Michael McKendry.  McKendry singled, and Cruz walked the next two batters.  Mills then turned to rookie lefty Xavier Cedeno, who promptly allowed the tying and go-ahead runs to score on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.

In the bottom of the 9th, Bogusevic, batting a power-light .217, fouled out to end the game.

2. Sean Marshall, Chicago Cubs, July 12, 2009.

Marshall, the only lefty in the Cubs bullpen, was brought in to face Cardinals lefty Chris Duncan with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs down 4-2 in the top of the 9th. The Cardinals pinch-hit righty Nick Stavinoha for Duncan. Marshall proceded to walk Stavinoha, loading the bases.

The next three hitters due up were Brendan Ryan, a righty; Skip Schumaker, a lefty; and Colby Rasmus, a lefty.

Marshall was moved to LF, replacing Alfonso Soriano, and righty Aaron Heilman came in to pitch to Ryan.

The strategy proved successful. Heilman struck out Ryan. Marshall moved back to the mound and retired the next two hitters, pinch-hitting righty Jarrett Hoffpauir on a strikeout and Rasmus on a flyball to replacement LF Reed Johnson, who made a diving catch (actually trapped, but ruled an out).

The Cubs failed to score in the bottom of the 9th and lost 4-2. 
 
3. Chris Resop, Atlanta Braves, April 3, 2008.

Mike Hampton, the scheduled Atlanta starting pitcher, was scratched just before game time, forcing the Braves to use long reliever Jeff Bennett as the emergency starter.

By the 10th inning, the Braves had used every reliever besides righty Resop and lefty Royce Ring. Resop was brought in to start the 10th; a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a walk/passed ball left runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out and lefty Adam LaRoche up to bat. Braves manager Bobby Cox wanted Resop to pitch any future extra innings, so he moved Resop to LF while bringing in Ring for the lefty-lefty matchup. The move worked in the short-term: Ring struck out LaRoche, and Resop was brought back in to face righty Xavier Nady. However, Nady singled, putting the Pirates ahead 4-3, and the Braves failed to score in the bottom of the 10th.

4. Jeff Nelson, Seattle Mariners, July 15, 1993.

Nelson, who had entered the game in the bottom of the 8th to face 3 righties, moved to LF (at Fenway!) with 2 outs and a runner on 1st, up 3-2, with lefty Dennis Powell (.159 lefty batting average against in 1993, vs. Nelson's .354) coming in to face lefty Mike Greenwell. Powell would retire Greenwell on a pop-up. In the bottom of the 9th, Nelson returned to the mound, retiring 2 righty batters before being replaced by lefty Mike Hampton.

5. Roger McDowell, Los Angeles Dodgers, October 1, 1991.

McDowell came in to get the final 2 outs of the 8th inning, up 3-1. In the 9th, McDowell moved to LF, with lefty John Candelaria (.138 lefty BA against) brought in to face lefty Fred McGriff. After McGriff struck out, McDowell moved back to the mound to retire the final 2 hitters.

6. Les Lancaster, Chicago Cubs, June 13, 1990 (Game 1 of doubleheader).

The Cubs had lost 19-8 the day before, taxing the bullpen. The Cubs even used OF Doug Dascenzo to pitch in the 9th to save arms for the next day's doubleheader.

Lancaster, a long reliever/spot starter, replaced starter Jeff Pico with 2 outs and a man on first in the 6th, up 8-5. Lancaster struck out Mark Carreon to retire the side, but immediately ran into trouble in the 7th, allowing 4 singles to the first 5 batters. The next two batters were lefties, so with the bases loaded, 1 out, and an 8-6 lead, lefty Paul Assenmacher (.223 lefty BA against) came in to pitch, with Lancaster moving to LF. Assenmacher was no better, giving up the lead with 2 singles and a walk, and was soon replaced by Lancaster without retiring a batter. Lancaster would pitch until he was replaced in the 9th, and allowed a remarkable 9 runs in relief.

7. Chuck Crim, Milwaukee Brewers, June 6, 1989.

Crim came in to try and close a 6-3 lead in the 9th, but ran into trouble, loading the bases with only 1 out. With switch-hitter Nelson Liriano and lefty Rob Ducey due up, the Brewers brought in lefty Tony Fossas, moving Crim to 1B. The move was unsuccessful, as Liriano singled to center, cutting the lead to 6-4. When the Blue Jays pinch-hit righty Tom Lawless for Ducey, Crim returned to the mound, and retired the final 2 batters for the save.

8. Keith Comstock, San Francisco Giants, June 17, 1987.

Comstock, a lefty, entered the game with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs, down 2-1 in the 6th, and after an intentional walk, got Ken Oberkfell to ground out to end the inning. After Comstock retired the first batter of the 7th, he was moved to RF and replaced on the mound by righty Randy Bockus to face righty Dale Murphy. However, Murphy greeted Bockus with a homer to center, and Comstock was brought back to pitch, only to give up singles to the next 2 batters.

9. Jeff Dedmon, Atlanta Braves, October 1, 1986.

Dedmon entered the game in the 7th with a man on 1st, 0 outs, and a 4-3 lead, and would retire two of the next three batters. With men on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs, and lefty Dave Parker (who inexplicably hit better off lefties than righties in 1986, but not the rest of his career) coming up, Dedmon moved to LF, with Paul Assenmacher taking his place on the mound. Parker singled to center, tying the game, and Dedmon returned to pitch.

10. Todd Worrell, St. Louis Cardinals, June 24, 1986; June 27, 1986; September 22, 1987; October 13, 1987 (Game 6 of NLCS); and April 11, 1989.

Hampered by a shortened 24-man roster (likely the result of collusion among the owners), Whitey Herzog extended his bullpen by using this manuever 5 different times.

In the first game, up 5-2 in the 9th, with the bases loaded and 2 outs, Worrell moved to RF (not sure why, with a lefty coming up) and lefty Ken Dayley came in to face 185-pound rookie Barry Bonds. Bonds struck out to end the game.

In the second game, tied at 2 in the top of the 12th, with men on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs, Worrell moved to RF and lefty Ricky Horton came in to face lefty Greg Gross. Gross grounded out to end the inning, and Worrell would be pinch-hit for in the bottom of the 12th.

In the third game, up 3-2 in the 9th, with 0 outs, Worrell moved to RF and Dayley came in to face lefty Von Hayes. After Hayes struck out, Worrell would return to the mound, retiring the last 2 batters for the save.

In the fourth game, Game 6 of the 1987 National League Championship Series, up 1-0 in the 9th, with 1 out, Worrell moved to RF and Dayley came in to face lefty Harry Spilman. Dayley would retire righty pinch-hitter Chris Speier and switch-hitter Jose Uribe to end the game.

In the fifth game, tied at 4 in the 8th with the bases loaded and 1 out, Worrell moved to RF and Dayley came in to face lefty Mark Grace. Grace drove in what turned out to be the game-winning run with a force out, and Dayley stayed in to retire the final batter of the inning.

11. Tom Burgmeier, Boston Red Sox, August 3, 1980.

Up 6-4 in the 9th, with 2 outs and and man on 1st, lefty Burgmeier moved to LF (like Jeff Nelson, in Fenway) and righty Skip Lockwood came on to face righty Dave Roberts. Roberts fouled the first pitch down the left-field line, with Burgmeier giving it a "courtesy trot," and three pitches later popped out to the catcher to end the game.

12. Kent Tekulve, Pittsburgh Pirates, September 1, 1979 (Game 1 of doubleheader).

Up 3-2 in the 9th, with 2 outs and a man on 1st, Tekulve moved to LF and lefty Grant Jackson came in to face lefty Darrell Evans. Evans flew out to left to end the game, with Tekulve making the catch.

13. Bill Wilson, Philadelphia Phillies, August 6, 1971.

Up 3-2 in the 8th, with 1 out, Wilson moved to 3B and lefty Joe Hoerner came in to face lefty Willie Stargell. After Stargell struck out, Wilson moved back to the mound and finished the game.

14. Jim Rittwage, Cleveland Indians, September 25, 1970.

Down 3-0 in the 4th, with 2 outs and men on 1st and 2nd, Rittwage moved to 3B and lefty Rick Austin came in to face lefty Boog Powell. Powell doubled to center, scoring both runners. Rittwage would return to the mound in the 5th inning and pitch through the 7th.

15. Sam McDowell, Cleveland Indians, July 6, 1970 and September 2, 1970.

For the complete story of the July 6 game, read the McDowell entry in this post.

The September 2 game was similar. Down 1-0 in the 6th, with 1 out and men on 1st and 2nd, lefty McDowell moved to 1B and righty Dean Chance came in to face righties Frank Howard and Rick Reichardt. This time, however, both runners would score. In the 7th, McDowell returned to the mound and finished the game.

16. Wayne Granger, Cincinnati Reds, May 1, 1970.

Up 6-4 in the 9th, with 2 outs and a man on 1st, Granger moved to LF and lefty Don Gullett came in to face Willie Stargell. Stargell struck out to end the game.

17. Dick Selma, Philadelphia Phillies, April 16, 1970; April 28, 1970; and June 28, 1970 (Game 2 of doubleheader).

In the first game, down 5-4 in the 8th, with 2 outs and a runner on 1st, Selma moved to 3B and lefty Joe Hoerner came in to face lefty Johnny Callison. Callison fouled out to the catcher to end the inning, and Selma would be pinch-hit for in the top of the 9th.

In the second game, up 3-2 in the 10th, with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, Selma moved to 3B and Hoerner came in to face lefty Willie Davis. Davis fouled out to the catcher to end the game.

In the third game, tied at 3 in the 9th, with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd, Selma moved to 1B and lefty Woodie Fryman came in to face lefty Jerry DaVanon (father of Jeff). DaVanon struck out, and Selma returned to the mound, striking out the next hitter to end the inning. Selma would also pitch the 10th, earning the victory in an 8-3 Phillie win.

18. Mike Paul, Cleveland Indians, June 7, 1968.

Paul, a lefty, entered the game in the 7th and was dominant. Over his first 2-2/3 innings of relief work, Paul struck out 6 of the 8 hitters he faced, though he did give up a solo homer that tied the game in the 8th. He would quickly redeem himself, however, by leading off the top of the 9th with a walk and eventually scoring the go-ahead run.

Despite Paul's dominance, with 2 outs and nobody on in the 9th, with a 4-3 lead, he was moved to 1B and righty Stan Williams came in to face righty Bill Freehan. Freehan singled to left, and Paul returned to the mound to face lefty Dick McAuliffe, with Lee Maye entering the game to play 1B. Maye, an outfielder by trade, had never played 1B in the majors.

As luck would have it, McAuliffe grounded the ball toward Maye, who booted it, putting runners on 1st and 2nd. The error would be Maye's only chance at 1B in his major league career. The next batter, right-handed Mickey Stanley, tripled to right, plating both runners and making Paul the hard-luck loser.

(Could you imagine if this game happened today? Indian manager Alvin Dark wouldn't have lasted the week.)

19. Catfish Hunter, Kansas City A's, June 18, 1967.

Up 8-4 with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the 9th, Hunter moved to 1B and lefty Tony Pierce came in to face lefty Gates Brown. Brown struck out to end the game.

20. Al McBean, Pittsburgh Pirates, August 18, 1965.

McBean entered the game up 8-3 in the 9th inning, with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 0 outs. He allowed 3 straight hits, cutting the lead to 8-6 with runners on 1st and 2nd. With lefty Joe Morgan due up, lefty Frank Carpin came in to pitch, with McBean moving to LF. After Morgan struck out, McBean returned to the mound, eventually recording the save in an 8-7 win.

21. Billy O'Dell, Milwaukee Braves, June 6, 1965 (Game 2 of doubleheader).

O'Dell, a lefty, entered the game in the 7th inning with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, up 6-1. He promptly gave up back-to-back singles, cutting the lead to 6-3, and was moved to 1B so righty Bob Sadowski could face righty Deron Johnson. (Sadowski had pitched 2 innings in Game 1 of the doubleheader, so he was not likely to pitch multiple innings.) Johnson singled to center, driving in another run, and O'Dell returned to the mound. O'Dell was infinitely more successful in his second stint, retiring the final 7 batters of the game to earn the save.

Note: #19 and 20 are quite possibly the only two times in baseball history where a pitcher originally entered the game in a situation where a save was impossible, yet wound up recording a save. Update: Retrosheet credits pre-1969 pitchers who finished a winning game but who were not the winning pitcher with a save, regardless of the game situation when they entered the game.

22. Ruben Gomez, New York Giants, August 4, 1957 (Game 1 of doubleheader).

Gomez had started the day before, but had been knocked out in the 2nd. The Giants won in 11 innings, but used 7 pitchers in doing so.

In the August 4 game, Gomez entered in the 7th and pitched well. However, in the 10th inning, nursing a 5-4 lead, Gomez allowed a walk and a single, sandwiched around two outs. With the tying run on 3rd, the Giants moved Gomez to LF and brought in lefty Jim Constable to face lefty pinch-hitter George Crowe. The strategy failed, with Crowe singling in the run, and Gomez returned to the mound. Gomez struck out the next hitter to end the inning, and would also pitch the 11th before leaving the game.

Pre-1957 example. Harry Dorish, Chicago White Sox, May 15, 1951.





The "29 League Pioneers on Hand," including Connie Mack and Cy Young, were all players from the American League's first season in 1901. Before the game, they were introduced individually and driven around the field in vintage 1901 automobiles. [We've seen this kind of thing often in the Selig era, but this one probably wasn't accompanied by the music from The Natural.]

Up 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th inning, with Ted Williams leading off for the Red Sox, Dorish moved to 3B and lefty Billy Pierce came in. After Williams popped out to shortstop, Dorish returned to the mound, surrendering the lead in the 9th but recording the victory in the 11th.

Pre-1957 example. Tom Hughes, Washington Senators, May 13, 1909. Hat tip: Bob Timmermann at the Griddle.



The White Sox had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out in the bottom of the 17th in a 1-1 game. A lefty pinch hitter, Mike Welday (whose story might be an interesting one; he died in Leavenworth, KS), was sent up; Washington brought in lefty Dolly Gray and sent Hughes to RF. After one ball, Chicago pinch hit righty Frank Owens for Welday; Washington manager Joe Cantillon wanted to bring Hughes back in to pitch, but the umpires forced Gray to finish out the at bat.

After Gray walked Owens, Hughes was brought back in and maintained the tie with consecutive ground outs. The game was then called due to darkness.

Pitchers Who Played Other Positions, Part 1

These lists include only pitchers who played in the field, or were listed in the starting lineups at non-position positions. Pitchers who merely pinch-ran (many) or pinch-hit (Rick Honeycutt) for the listed DH are not included. Same goes for pitchers who started in the majors at other positions (e.g., Brooks Kieschnick) and pitchers who moved to other positions (e.g., Babe Ruth).

Pitchers in the starting lineup at other positions for fluky reasons, and who never actually played there:

1 and 2. Scott Elarton and Jose Lima, Houston Astros, June 13-July 23, 1999.

Larry Dierker, the Astros manager, had a seizure in the dugout in the bottom of the 8th with the count 1-0 on Jeff Bagwell; the game was immediately suspended. The game was resumed on July 23; Elarton nominally replaced CF Carl Everett (on the disabled list) and Lima replaced 3B Ricky Gutierrez (also on the DL). Both were replaced by the time the Astros took the field in the top of the 9th.

3. Pedro Martinez, Los Angeles Dodgers, September 20, 1993.
4. Orel Hershiser, Los Angeles Dodgers, September 15, 1993.

Both Martinez and Hershiser were listed at 3rd base, batting 2nd in the order, and were pinch-hit for in the top of the 1st inning by Dave Hansen, who was attempting to break the Dodgers single-season pinch-hit record.

5. LaMarr Hoyt, Chicago White Sox, September 29, 1984.

Hoyt was listed at left field, batting 2nd in the order, and was pinch-hit for by Jerry Hairston, Sr., who was attempting to break the White Sox single-season pinch-hit record.

6. Sammy Stewart, Baltimore Orioles, 1 game in 1983.

Credited with one game at DH in 1983, but I can't find the box score.

7, 8, & 9. Dennis Leonard, Jim Colburn, and Andy Hassler, Kansas City Royals, August 29, 1977.

The game was a makeup for a July 25 "rainout" at Yankee Stadium, a game which had been postponed by the Yankees due to "rain, wet grounds, and a bad weather forecast" four hours before game time, though it never rained much, if at all. The Royals contended that Yankees postponed the game because Billy Martin's managerial status was in limbo [George Steinbrenner that night would issue 7 guidelines to assess whether any Yankee manager would keep his job: "1) Is the win-loss record OK?; 2) Does he work hard enough?; 3) Is he emotionally equipped to lead men?; 4) Is he organized?; 5) Is he prepared for each game? 6) Does he understand human nature?; 7) Is he honorable?"]. The postponement led to a rule change, putting the umpires, not the home team, in control of deciding whether or not a game should be postponed during the last series between two teams.

The Royals wanted the makeup game to be play at the end of the season, if necessary, but the Yankees insisted that the game be played August 25, a scheduled off-day for both teams. By compromise, the Yankees paid the Royals the cost of diverting their chartered jet from Baltimore (where the Royals had played the previous day) and the game was scheduled for 2 p.m., not the night game that Steinbrenner had wanted.

Still, the Royals were not happy. Joe Burke, Royals general manager, argued that "nothing compensates us for the time. Our players would've chipped in and given the Yankees the money, just to have the day off."

Royals manager Whitey Herzog had a unique way of protesting the decision to play. Contending that union rules forbade using players 20 calendar days in a row (though that rule was waived for makeup games), he benched Hal McRae, Al Cowens, and John Mayberry, all of whom had played the last 19 games, and submitted a starting lineup with 3 pitchers in their place: Leonard at DH and batting 2nd, Colburn at RF and batting 4th, and Hassler at 1B and batting 5th. Of course, no one thought that those pitchers would actually play, and Yankee public address announcer Bob Sheppard refused to announce the Royals' starting lineup. In the 1st inning, all three were replaced as expected. The Yankees went on to win 5-3, scoring 2 runs in the 8th inning.

Sheppard wrote a limerick in Herzog's honor:

In bush managerial pique,
He submitted a lineup unique,
But the tactic confusing
Couldn't keep him from losing
Though the game was a bit of a squeak

10. Dave Goltz, Minnesota Twins, August 1, 1977.

Goltz was listed at DH, batting 6th, and pinch-hit for by the regular center fielder Larry Hisle, in the 1st inning. Hisle had left the Twins' previous game in the 7th inning with an ankle injury, and his status was doubtful when the lineup was made. Though he played the entire game, Hisle was unable to put any weight on the ankle, and would miss the Twins' next 7 games.

11. Steve Mingori, Cleveland, one game in 1972.

Credited with one game at LF in 1972, but I can't find the box score.

12. Jim Perry, Minnesota Twins, August 9, 1970.

Perry was listed at LF, batting 3rd, as a placeholder for Harmon Killebrew, who was travelling to Anaheim from his father-in-law's funeral in Idaho the day before. Killebrew made it to the stadium on time, via a helicopter from LAX to Disneyland, and pinch-hit for Perry in the 1st.

13, 14, & 15. Chris Short, Jim Owens, and Don Ferrarese, Philadelphia Phillies, June 29, 1961 (Game 1 of doubleheader).

The Phillies didn't know whether the Giants would start a lefty or righty pitcher, so they submitted a lineup with Short at catcher, batting 7th; Owens at RF, batting 3rd; and Ferrarese at CF, batting 1st. See the Chris Short entry here for the complete story.

16, 17, & 18. Mike Pappas and Jack Hashman, Baltimore Orioles, September 11, 1958 and Hal Brown, Baltimore Orioles, September 12, 1958.

Paul Richards, manager of the Orioles, was fond of oddball strategies (see the Dorish entry here).

The previous day, he had pinch-hit for light-hitting CF Jim Busby in top of the first inning. He soon realized that he could do so with weak hitters in future road games without losing that player for the game, by listing a pitcher at that position and pinch-hitting for him if need be in the top of the first, then replacing the pinch-hitter with the fielder in the bottom of the inning.

On the 11th, Pappas was listed at 2B, batting 7th; Harshman was listed at CF, batting 5th. Harshman would be pinch-hit for in the top of the first, and Pappas was replaced between innings.

On the 12th, Brown was listed at 3B, batting 5th. Prior to the bottom of the 1st, he was replaced by Brooks Robinson without spending any time in the field.

I'm not sure why Richards abandoned this strategy.

Pre-1957 example. Walter "Lefty" Stewart and Earl Whitehill, Washington Senators, July 11, 1933.

Washington manager Joe Cronin didn't know whether the White Sox would start a lefty or a righty, so Stewart and Whitehill were in the lineup as placeholders. See entry #5 in this post for details.

Pitchers Who Played Other Positions, An Overview

Occasionally, because of odd circumstances, a major league pitcher is called upon to play in the field. The next 5 posts list and detail those occasions.

The categories:

1. Pitchers in the starting lineup at other positions for fluky reasons, and who never actually played there.

There are four possible reasons why a pitcher would fall into this category: strategy, statistical manipulation, protests, and possible player unavailability.

2. Pitchers who moved from pitcher to another position so that a different pitcher would have the platoon advantage.


This strategy made it possible for the first pitcher to return to a mound after the replacement pitcher (usually a lefty) pitched to the next batter. It was popularized by Paul Richards, and used most often by Indians manager Alvin Dark and Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog. It became largely obsolete with the advent of deeper bullpens and shorter benches.

3. Pitchers who played in the field because the team had run out of position players.

My favorite category; there's a great story behind almost every one of these.

4. Pitchers who played in the field during the final days of the season.

The games had no impact on the standings, so why not have a little fun?

5. Pitchers who played in the field for other reasons.

Either the pitcher played in the field because he truly was the best available player or for some other unclassifiable reason.

These lists include only pitchers who played in the field, or were listed in the starting lineups at non-pitcher positions. Pitchers who merely pinch-ran (many) or pinch-hit (Rick Honeycutt) for the listed DH are not included. Same goes for pitchers who started in the majors at other positions (e.g., Brooks Kieschnick) and players who started in the majors as pitchers, but moved to other positions (e.g., Babe Ruth).

Also, I restricted the lists to games from 1957 or later. The play-by-play for games from 1956 and earlier are not easily available, and finding them would be quite time-consuming. At some point in the future, I may add such games.

Review of The Cars' Concert, Globe and Mail, August 29, 1980

The Cars stick to one basic model
BY ALAN NIESTER

Now don't get me wrong. It's not that I dislike The Cars, the Boston new wave quintet that played before 20,000 fans at the CNE last night. Heavens, when I and the crowd of young sophisticates I run with get together for a little random shaking of the tail feather, chances are as good as even that the first Cars album will be at the top of our dance list.

It's just that, in a live situation, the very real inadequacies of this most popular, yet least commercial sounding of all platinum-selling groups, comes bubbling to the fore. The most obvious of these inadequacies is the similarity of the songs themselves. The Cars really have only one song, which they repeat just enough times to fill more than an hour of stage time. Granted, they occasionally change the tempo to add variety. They'll speed it up and call it Let's Go or Let The Good Times Roll, or they'll slow it down and call it Moving In Stereo, but it's basically all the same - just a heavy rhythm chunking away while a synthesizer doodles in the background and a couple of band members sing in a deadly monotone over the top.

Over all, it must be noted that The Cars gave a slightly better show last night than they did last year, when they played Maple Leaf Gardens. This is largely due to the fact that they have invested in one of those big stage sets that seem all the rage these days. It [sic] keeping with their spartan musical style, The Cars' set is basically a metal wall with screen-like affairs on which various colors and shapes can be projected. When polka dots were the motif, it looked something like an airplane hangar with acne - but then, the new wave is always full of surprises.

For the most part of the evening, the 20,000 youngsters on hand sat bemusedly through the numbers from The Cars' newest album, Panorama, but cheered wildly for the hits [sic] songs with which they were familiar. But it was not for the performance they were cheering, it was for the memory of those great (when taken in small doses) songs pulsing through the speakers of the car radio.

Thus it's no wonder that opening act Martha Davis and The Motels didn't receive the accolades they deserved. Although the Los Angeles-based quintet is lumped in with the new wave movement, last night it presented a half-hour of dazzling traditional progressive rock that should have left the audience in a shambles, but didn't. The Motels adapted particularly well to the big stage setting, and displayed even more power and verve than they did on recent club appearances here. It's just unfortunate that they haven't had a big AM radio hit yet, which was the only reason most of last night's audience didn't approve of them.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Fantasy football projection comparison, 2005: An Overview

The following tables compare several fantasy football projections from last year, combined with the actual results. The results/projections:

1. Actual = the actual rank of the player at his position in 2005, according to a Yahoo league with a default setup:
1 point per 50 passing yards; 1 point per 20 rushing yards; 1 point per 20 receiving yards; 6 points per passing, rushing, receiving, or return TD; -2 points per interception; 2 points per 2-point conversion; -2 points per lost fumble; 1 point per extra point, 3 points per FG 18-39; 4 points per FG 40-49; 5 points per FG 50+. Important: the other projections' rankings are NOT based on a default Yahoo setup. Each has its own scoring system, with its own quirks. For example, the KUBIAK ranks for RB emphasize yards, while the R&F ranks de-emphasize rookies.

Defenses: 1 point per sack; 2 points per interception or fumble recovery; 6 points per TD; 2 points per safety; 2 points per blocked kick; 10 points per shutout; 7 points for 1-6 allowed; 4 points for 7-13 allowed; 1 point for 14-20 allowed; -1 point for 28-34 allowed; -4 points for 35+ allowed.

There are more "Yahoo actual" ranked players available than I listed.

2. ESPN (Consensus of users) = the order in which the player was selected at his position in 2005 ESPN fantasy football drafts.

3. Sportsline (expert) = the order in which Michael Fabiano, Sportsline "expert fantasy football columnist," ranked the player at his position for 2005.

4. Yahoo (Projections*) = the order in which the player was selected at his position in 2005 Yahoo fantasy football drafts. The Yahoo autopick is set to pick the best projected player, so this is a good proxy for Yahoo's projections.

5. NFL Record & Fact Book (Projections) = the projected rank of the player at his position, as given in the 2005 NFL Record & Fact Book. The print-date is no later than July, so it includes some ineligible (Onterrio Smith), injured (Correll Buckhalter), retired (Jerry Rice), and cut (Maurice Clarett) players. Players marked with an "x -" were rookies, all of whom were projected conservatively. Also, the Defense/Special Teams ranks are merely the averages of the 2002-04 seasons.

6. Kubiak (Projections) [Added 7/20] - the projected rank of the player at his position, as given by the KUBIAK projections of Football Outsiders. Note that the projected ranks are not those given in Pro Football Prospectus 2005, but of an updated spreadsheet from sometime in the preseason. (8/1 Update: I have been informed that the spreadsheet may not be accurate. I believe, but am not sure, that it was correct for all positions except kickers. I have updated the kicker rankings accordingly.)

Thanks to Zac for providing the 2005 KUBIAK spreadsheet.

I recently discovered that the tables were appearing side-by-side in Internet Explorer; to counteract this, each position has been given a separate post.

[Edit: 7/27] The Yahoo actual stats for last year originally didn't include certain retired players. I fixed the running backs table, and will fix the other tables if I discover problems.

Also, note that the ranks for the Record & Fact Book and KUBIAK listed here are those as were stated by those projections, not as those projections would have ranked if used in the default Yahoo league. See this post, which compares the two in a simple Yahoo setup.


I will add other projections to the tables if they become available.

Fantasy football projection comparison, 2005: Running Backs

Running Backs:
Different scoring system
Different scoring systemDifferent scoring systemDifferent scoring systemDifferent scoring system
RankActual (Yahoo default)ESPN (Consensus of users)Sportsline (expert)Yahoo (Projections*)NFL Record & Fact Book (Projections)KUBIAK (Projections)
1Shaun AlexanderLaDainian TomlinsonLaDainian TomlinsonLaDainian TomlinsonLaDainian TomlinsonLaDainian Tomlinson
2LaDainian TomlinsonShaun AlexanderShaun AlexanderShaun AlexanderPriest HolmesDomanick Davis
3Larry JohnsonPriest HolmesPriest HolmesPriest HolmesEdgerrin JamesEdgerrin James
4Tiki BarberEdgerrin JamesEdgerrin JamesEdgerrin JamesShaun AlexanderShaun Alexander
5Edgerrin JamesDeuce McAllisterDomanick DavisWillis McGaheeJamal LewisTiki Barber
6Clinton PortisWillis McGaheeWillis McGaheeCorey DillonCorey DillonJulius Jones
7Rudi JohnsonJamal LewisJamal LewisJamal LewisDomanick DavisClinton Portis
8LaMont JordanKevin JonesCorey DillonDeuce McAllisterClinton PortisKevin Jones
9Mike AndersonClinton PortisDeuce McAllisterDomanick DavisJulius JonesWillis McGahee
10Corey DillonAhman GreenAhman GreenTiki BarberRudi JohnsonBrian Westbrook
11Thomas JonesDomanick DavisClinton PortisAhman GreenAhman GreenPriest Holmes
12Stephen JacksonCorey DillonJulius JonesClinton PortisDeuce McAllisterRudi Johnson
13Stephen Davis
Tiki BarberKevin JonesJulius JonesWillis McGaheeDeuce McAllister
14Brian WestbrookRudi JohnsonRudi JohnsonRudi JohnsonTiki BarberRonnie Brown
15Warrick DunnJulius JonesTiki BarberKevin JonesChris BrownSteven Jackson
16Willie ParkerLaMont JordanLaMont JordanCurtis MartinBrian WestbrookAhman Green
17Domanick DavisBrian WestbrookCurtis MartinSteven JacksonSteven JacksonCurtis Martin
18Tatum BellCurtis MartinBrian WestbrookBrian WestbrookKevin JonesCorey Dillon
19Willis McGaheeFred TaylorSteven JacksonTatum BellCurtis MartinLaMont Jordan
20Carnell WilliamsSteven JacksonMike AndersonLaMont JordanTatum BellCarnell Williams
21Chris BrownTatum BellCarnell WilliamsChris BrownLaMont JordanMichael Bennett
22Reuben DroughnsThomas JonesJ.J. ArringtonWillie ParkerThomas JonesKevan Barlow
23Julius JonesChris BrownFred TaylorDeShaun FosterKevan BarlowJ.J. Arrington
24Ricky Williams
Travis HenryWarrick DunnCarnell WilliamsDeShaun FosterJamal Lewis
25Jerome BettisWarrick DunnLarry JohnsonDuce StaleyFred TaylorFred Taylor
26Priest HolmesKevan BarlowMichael BennettMike AndersonMichael PittmanThomas Jones
27Samkon GadoDuce StaleyChris BrownWarrick DunnDuce StaleyWarrick Dunn
28DeShaun FosterOnterrio SmithRonnie BrownMichael BennettWarrick DunnTatum Bell
29Ronnie BrownDeShaun FosterThomas JonesFred TaylorLarry JohnsonCedric Benson
30Mewelde MooreReuben DroughnsTravis HenryJ.J. ArringtonOnterrio SmithReuben Droughns
31Curtis MartinCarnell WilliamsDeShaun FosterRonnie BrownMichael BennettMewelde Moore
32T.J. DuckettT.J. DuckettKevan BarlowStephen DavisT.J. DuckettFrank Gore
33Kevin JonesJ.J. ArringtonCedric BensonKevan BarlowDerrick BlaylockDeShaun Foster
34Jamal LewisLee SuggsTatum BellCedric BensonTravis HenryT.J. Duckett
35Marion BarberRonnie BrownStephen DavisJerome BettisReuben DroughnsTravis Henry
36Fred TaylorJerome BettisLee SuggsRicky WilliamsJerome BettisDerrick Blaylock
37Mike AlstottCedric BensonRicky WilliamsLarry JohnsonMarcel ShippNick Goings
38Mike SellersMichael BennettJerome BettisThomas JonesStephen DavisRyan Moats
39Kevan BarlowLarry JohnsonReuben DroughnsReuben DroughnsLee SuggsChris Brown
40Greg JonesMichael PittmanT.J. DuckettMarshall FaulkMarshall FaulkMichael Pittman
41Michael BennettDerrick BlaylockMarshall FaulkTravis HenryDominic RhodesMike Anderson
42Frank GoreMarshall FaulkWillie ParkerT.J. DuckettCorrell BuckhalterJerome Bettis
43Kyle JohnsonRicky WilliamsMewelde MooreMichael PittmanChester TaylorVerron Haynes
44Brandon JacobsKevin FaulkMichael PittmanLee SuggsLadell BettsDuce Staley
45Antowain SmithCorrell BuckhalterDuce StaleyChris CooleyTroy HambrickLarry Johnson
46Michael PittmanNick GoingsNajeh Davenport
Mewelde MooreShawn Bryson
47Deuce McAllisterLadell BettsMarcel Shipp
Sammy MorrisRicky Williams
48Artose PinnerMarcel ShippDerrick Blaylock
Nick GoingsLaBrandon Toefield
49Patrick PassNajeh DavenportDominic Rhodes
x - J.J. ArringtonKevin Faulk
50Maurice HicksMike AndersonChester Taylor
x - Ronnie BrownMarshall Faulk
51Chris PerryStephen DavisFrank Gore
x - Carnell WilliamsEric Shelton
52LaBrandon ToefieldChester TaylorLaBrandon Toefield
x - Cedric AbensonChester Taylor
53Tony FisherMewelde MooreBrandon Jacobs
Greg JonesMoe Williams
54Michael TurnerLamar GordonWilliam Green
Mauric HicksAnthony Thomas
55Adrian PetersonVerron HaynesAnthony Thomas
Najeh DavenportDominic Rhodes
56Chester TaylorAntowain SmithRyan Moats
x - Eric SheltonMarcel Shipp
57Ryan MoatsLaBrandon ToefieldMoe Williams
Verron HaynesBrandon Jacobs
58Ladell BettsAmos ZereoueSammy Morris
William HendersonCiatrick Fason
59

Kevin Faulk
Jonathan WellsJerald Sowell
60

Aaron Stecker
Tony FisherMike Alstott
61



Shawn BrysonWilliam Green
62



Quentin GriffinTony Fisher
63



Kevin FaulkAaron Stecker
64



Mike AlstottNajeh Davenport
65



Eddie GeorgeGreg Jones
66



Anthony ThomasJ.R. Redmond
67



Antowain SmithLee Suggs
68



Mike CloudMaurice Hicks
69



Jesse ChatmanZack Crockett
70



Zack CrockettAntowain Smith
71



Chris PerryQuentin Griffin
72



LaBrandon ToefieldVernand Morency
73



Lamar GordonShaud Williams
74



Tyrone WheatleySammy Morris
75



Maurice MorrisDamien Nash
76



Arlen HarrisChris Perry
77



Obafemi AyanbadejoStephen Davis
78



Justin GriffithJustin Fargas
79



Brad HooverMaurice Morris
80



Moe WilliamsArtose Pinner
81



Cory SchlesingerLamar Gordon
82



Charlie GarnerMaurice Clarett
83



x - Frank GoreAlvin Pearman
84



x - Cedric HoustonLadell Betts
85



x - Marion BarberMichael Turner
86



x - Anthony DavisJonathan Wells
87



Patrick PassMike Cloud
88



x - Maurice ClarettTony Hollings
89



Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala
90



Dan Kreider
91



Mack Strong
92



J.R. Redmond
93



Amos Zereoue
94



Dorsey Levens
95



Justin Fargas
96



William Green
97



Fred Beasley
98



Jeremi Johnson
99



Ron Dayne
100



Tony Richardson