More Than Just A Pinch
Posted by Steve Lombardi on February 26, 2010
Since 1954, how many teams have used 8+ pinch-hitters in a game? Here's the answer via Baseball-Reference.com's Play Index Team Batting Game Finder:
| Rk | Tm | Opp | Date | #Matching | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OAK | CHW | 1972-09-19 | 10 | |
| 2 | STL | CIN | 1997-09-25 | 9 | |
| 3 | SFG | LAD | 1986-09-28 | 9 | |
| 4 | MON | PIT | 1975-09-05 (2) | 9 | |
| 5 | LAD | STL | 1982-09-01 | 9 | |
| 6 | LAD | STL | 1959-09-22 | 9 | |
| 7 | LAD | NYM | 1985-09-08 | 9 | |
| 8 | ATL | MON | 1993-09-21 | 9 | |
| 9 | WSH | NYY | 1960-09-20 | 8 | |
| 10 | STL | LAD | 1959-04-16 | 8 | |
| 11 | SFG | ARI | 2000-09-23 (1) | 8 | |
| 12 | SFG | ATL | 1987-10-02 | 8 | |
| 13 | SDP | SFG | 1986-09-16 | 8 | |
| 14 | PIT | MON | 1990-09-09 | 8 | |
| 15 | PHI | CHC | 1991-10-01 | 8 | |
| 16 | PHI | NYM | 1975-09-26 (2) | 8 | |
| 17 | PHI | PIT | 1985-06-21 | 8 | |
| 18 | NYM | STL | 1992-09-16 | 8 | |
| 19 | NYM | ATL | 1996-09-14 | 8 | |
| 20 | NYM | HOU | 1998-09-14 | 8 | |
| 21 | MIN | SEA | 1996-09-13 | 8 | |
| 22 | LAD | SFG | 1981-09-09 | 8 | |
| 23 | LAD | SFG | 1983-09-18 | 8 | |
| 24 | HOU | ATL | 1989-09-20 | 8 | |
| 25 | CLE | KCA | 1966-09-13 | 8 | |
| 26 | CIN | HOU | 1984-09-28 | 8 | |
| 27 | CHC | COL | 2006-09-30 | 8 | |
| 28 | CHC | MON | 1978-09-04 (2) | 8 | |
| 29 | BAL | CHW | 1954-05-28 (1) | 8 | |
| 30 | BAL | NYY | 1984-09-25 | 8 |
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Figures that the record holder here would be a pre-DH and post-September 1st extra inning affair. That was some game for the A's huh? They sent everyone up to the plate in that one with the exception of Pinchy and Mr. Krabs.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:11 am
Late in the game in the Oakland dugout. Larry Haney just pinch hit for Joe Horlen and grounded out. Dick Williams approaches Haney, the 30th player Williams has used tonight.
"Haney, you're staying in the game."
"Right, Skip. I'll get my gear on."
"Not so fast, grab a mitt from Maxvill or Cullen or Kubiak."
"What?"
"You're playing second."
"Wait, you have Geno playing second. He's at least started a game in the infield before."
"I have to move Tenace to the outfield."
"Why can't I play outfield, Skip?"
"Larry, I've seen you run. I could hit a double to the corner against you even if you were just five feet off the line. And Duncan's slower than you. So get in there."
"Ok, coach. Dal, can I have your mitt?"
"Oh, and Larry."
"Yes."
"Stay out of Campy's way. I don't want HIM to get hurt out there."
February 26th, 2010 at 9:27 am
What hit me right away was the ERAs. Of the 14 pitchers used in a September game, Rich Gossage had the highest ERA: 3.58.
No doubt I fell asleep listening to this game on my transistor radio.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Sometimes you wish you had time machine and could go back and relive some of these games. I picked out the 1959 game between the Cardinals and Dodgers because it took place in April and was only nine innings. The Cards used 8 PH in that game. And here's what we see:
Solly Hemus pinch-hit for his pitchers five times in game in which the nine slot had only 4 PA. But the real curiosity is in the second inning. Down 3-1 in the top of the second, Hemus decided not to bat his starter, Ernie Broglio, and instead inserted Bobby Smith, at which point Walt Altson pulled his starter, Sandy Koufax (not yet in HOF form), in favor of Art Fowler, which prompted a second pinch-hitter, Irv Noren. The game had barely started, but both teams were already in the bullpen and Hemus had burned two of his bench players. Curious.
Also interesting: The 23-year-old Koufax lasted no more than 3.2 innings in his first four starts of 1959, then went to the pen, appears to have fought an injury in July, before finishing out a mediocre 8-6 season.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I don't get the lobsters reference.
As for the game itself, what's the story behind this? Was there a slew of injuries or did Dick Williams just get all PH-happy?
I'm also confused about what happened between the 14th and 15th innings. Catfish Hunter pinch hit for the RF, then later Larry Haney pinch hit for the P. Before the 15th it says "Gary Waslewski replaces Catfish Hunter (PH) pitching and batting 5th". I assume this means that they brought Waslewski in to pitch and put him in the 5 spot since Haney stayed in the game in the 9 spot. What I don't get is how Waslewski was replacing Hunter as the pitcher when Hunter never pitched nor pinch hit for the pitcher. I'm assuming this is just how box score notation works and I've never come across it before (or noticed it). I feel like it would make more sense to say "Gary Waslewski replaces Joe Horlen pitching and Catfish Hunter (PH) batting 5th" although that's a bit more wordy.
February 26th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Hey fellas, what does the number in parentheses mean after the date of the game?
February 26th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Nevermind, I answered my own question.
February 26th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
During that time of the season Charlie O. Finley told Dick Williams pinch hit for the 2B every time they went up to bat, no matter what. So no matter who started Dal Maxvill, Ted Kubiak, Tim Cullen and Dick Green never saw the plate.
February 26th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Why is the first White Sox in the 13th unearned? There are no errors or passed balls in the inning.
February 28th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
With runners on the corners, it shows that the first out was made on a grounder on which the batter was retired but the runner went from first to second. The only thing I can think of is that the SS might have muffed the ball a bit so he couldn't retire the lead runner, but had time to get the batter. Since an out was recorded no error was charged, but the scorer thought the runner should have been forced at second, and that runner would have not have subsequently scored. Not sure if that's correct scoring or if I've ever seen something like that before.