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Elevating the Pitcher

Edgy DC Sep 23 2005 11:43 AM

How 'bout that move by Jack McKeon bumping Dontrelle Willis up to seventh? Why throw much hittable to the fifth and sixth guys all night? Anyhow, this is apparently the last time a pitcher started in the batting order as high as seventh. The gentlemen in the Florida booth reported on a game in 1961 when Don Larsen started in the cleanup spot. I found this, but technically it doesn't count, as Larsen was playing leftfield. I've played Diamond Mind with the 1965 Dodgers, and I have trouble seeing why Walter Alston ever batted Don Drysdale ninth.

Elster88 Sep 23 2005 12:12 PM

On the post game yesterday, Gary said it was the first time since '73 that a pitcher has batted higher than eighth in the order. I don't remember who it was. _____________________________ This post had the designation 146) Tsuyoshi Shinjo

Edgy DC Sep 23 2005 12:14 PM

Click my link, man. It was Steve Renko. And those really were two humpty-dumpties batting behind him, with career OPSs of .557 and .532.

Frayed Knot Sep 23 2005 01:18 PM

I kida liked the order .... but then McKeon screwed up his own strategy by having Dontrelle bunt in front of those two humpties batting behind him. Speaking of pitchers hitting and odd strategies: - in that Brave/Phils game yesterday where the Phils won w/4 in the 9th, Cox left Hudson in to hit w/1out in the 8th / scoreless tie / runner on 3rd. Hudson dribbled one in front of the plate and then Furball grounded out. The Phils then exploded for 4 off Hudson in the 9th after 2 were out. I know Hudson was a good hitter in college but that was a while ago. Shows what Cox thinks of his bullpen as much as anything.