Rick Ankiel, Michael Lorenzen, Brendan McKay are recent 2 way players after Olerud. I do not think the Nipponese leagues use many 2 way players either, Shotani being one of their last…… It is like playing 2 ways in the NFL plus special teams, simply not logical if one wants to focus on a key skill.
I remember watching MLB before there was such a thing as the designated hitter and pitchers had to bat in both leagues. It meant the managers had to make some serious decisions.
Don Newcombe of the Old Brooklyn Dodgers was a solid over.300 hitter.And Don Drysdale usually had a higher batting average than most of his regular players.
See no reason why in the American League there aren’t some pitchers who are also designated hitters. They will still get plenty of rest between pitching assignments.
jimrh74 almost 3 years ago
Babe Ruth a notable exception.
TampaFanatic1 almost 3 years ago
Rick Ankiel, Michael Lorenzen, Brendan McKay are recent 2 way players after Olerud. I do not think the Nipponese leagues use many 2 way players either, Shotani being one of their last…… It is like playing 2 ways in the NFL plus special teams, simply not logical if one wants to focus on a key skill.
Julius Marold Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I remember watching MLB before there was such a thing as the designated hitter and pitchers had to bat in both leagues. It meant the managers had to make some serious decisions.
ilikai almost 3 years ago
Maddox, Glavine, and Smoltz
RobinHood almost 3 years ago
Today is National Bird Day. So Goooo…
Orioles, Cardinals, Cardinals, Ravens, Eagles, Blue Jays, Seahawks, Penguins, Pelicans, Hawks, Falcons, and the Mighty Ducks
Ellis97 almost 3 years ago
I can both pitch the ball and swing it pretty hard.
timbob2313 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
So the Japanese Baseball phenom is now playing for a US MLB team. I guess $$$$$ made him do it.
198.23.5.11 almost 3 years ago
Don Newcombe of the Old Brooklyn Dodgers was a solid over.300 hitter.And Don Drysdale usually had a higher batting average than most of his regular players.
198.23.5.11 almost 3 years ago
Back in the 1900’s and 1910’s,there was a National League umpire named Byron.
He was an educated man who liked to read the classics,so he picked up the nickname “Lord Byron”.
Whenever a batter complained about being called out on strikes,he’d recite a poem——
LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING,FRIEND
BEFORE YOU GROW MUCH OLDER
YOU CANNOT IMPROVE YOUR AVERAGE,SIR
WITH THE BAT UPON YOUR SHOULDER
artegal almost 3 years ago
Did we miss the Sports Jerk of the Year? If not, is it too late to nominate Antonio Brown?
johnnydoc5 almost 3 years ago
The fact that only 8 or so players have been named from the last century goes to show just haw rare of a talent it is.
Mopman almost 3 years ago
P3 makes it sound like it’s a written rule in Japanese. Which would make it impossible not to do both.
buckman-j almost 3 years ago
Does the Name Warren Spahn ring a bell. Good hitter, lot of Home runs
Buckeye67 almost 3 years ago
See no reason why in the American League there aren’t some pitchers who are also designated hitters. They will still get plenty of rest between pitching assignments.
A.Ficionada almost 3 years ago
Why aren’t there more rare athletic genius types? For the answer, see the question ;)
Jim Kerner almost 3 years ago
Is this the replacement for Sports Jerk?
BlueIris Premium Member almost 3 years ago
What I’ve never understood is why Otani spells it as Ohtani?
Clay Olmstead almost 3 years ago
I nominate Bill Hinds for best hands on the comics page. Jim Keefe (Sally Forth) would have to be in the running, too.
MT Wallet almost 3 years ago
By Natasha Bedingfield.