In
baseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, a
pinch hitter is a substitute
batterIn baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead (not in active play); the
managerIn baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute. Unlike
basketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
,
American footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, or
ice hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, baseball does not have a "free substitution rule" and thus the replaced player in baseball is never allowed back into that game. The pinch hitter assumes the spot in the batting order of the player he replaces.
The
American LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
of
Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, the
Pacific LeagueThe or is one of the two professional baseball leagues constituting Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship competes against the winner in the Central League for the annual Japan Series...
in
JapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and various other leagues use the
designated hitterIn baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
rule, such that pitchers seldom bat. This removes one possible situation where a pinch hitter may be desired.
Usage
Pinch hitters are often used to replace a starting player when the pinch hitter is thought to have a better chance of reaching base or helping other runners to score.
In the
National LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
of
Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, the
Central LeagueThe or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League...
in
JapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and various other
minor leagueMinor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
s, pinch hitters are often substituted for the
pitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in the middle or late innings of a game. This is because pitchers are often poor hitters and get tired after six to seven innings of pitching. This use of a pinch hitter is often part of a double switch, in which a
relief pitcherA relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
replaces a defensive player who will not bat soon, and a defensive player replaces the former starting pitcher that is currently up to bat. This strengthens the lineup in the short term by preventing the relief pitcher from batting and allowing a better hitter to bat. Compared to a single substitution of a pinch hitter for a pitcher, this allows the relief pitcher to pitch additional innings. A pinch hitter can be substituted at any time in an at-bat.
The pinch hitter may remain in the game following a pinch-hit at-bat and need not (but may) assume the same position as the player for whom he pinch-hits as long as some other player assumes that position. For example, on 16 August 2009, the
Washington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
'
Ryan ZimmermanRyan Wallace Zimmerman is a Major League Baseball third baseman with the Washington Nationals. A 6-foot 3-inch player from the University of Virginia and Kellam High School, Zimmerman has been a member of the Nationals since his debut on September 1, 2005...
pinch-hit for second baseman
Alberto GonzalezAlberto Ramón González is a Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman who is currently a free agent.-Minor leagues:...
and then remained in the game at third base, with previous third baseman
Ronnie BelliardRonald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...
switching positions to play second base after the change. (Box score: ) Alternatively, the manager may designate another player to replace the pinch-hitter; this scenario is common when a team pinch-hits for a pitcher without executing a double switch, such that the new pitcher then replaces the pinch hitter and assumes the previous pitcher's place in the batting order.
MLB all-time pinch hit leaders
This is a list of players with the most pinch-hits in Major League Baseball history. Names which appear in
bold are active players. Includes games through May 4, 2011.
| Rank |
Player |
Pinch hits |
| 1 |
Lenny HarrisLeonard Anthony Harris is a former Major League Baseball utility infielder who is currently the hitting instructor for the Great Lakes Loons. He is best known for holding the record for the most pinch hits in a major league career...
|
212 |
| 2 |
Mark Sweeney Mark Patrick Sweeney is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. He is best known for his skill as a pinch hitter, where he ranks second in career pinch hits with 175 and first in career pinch hit runs batted in with 102....
|
175 |
| 3 |
Manny Mota Manuel Rafael Mota Geronimo, more commonly known as Manny Mota was a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers, best known for his pinch hitting abilities...
|
150 |
| 4 |
Smoky Burgess Forrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1949 to 1967. Later in his career, he became known for his ability as a pinch hitter, setting the major league career record for career pinch-hits...
|
145 |
| 5 |
Greg Gross Gregory Eugene Gross , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1973-1989, playing for the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and Philadelphia Phillies...
|
143 |
| 6 |
Dave Hansen |
138 |
| 7 |
John Vander Wal John Henry Vander Wal is a former American Major League Baseball left-handed hitter who played outfield and first base for eight different teams over 14 seasons.-Early life:...
|
129 |
| 8 |
José Morales |
123 |
| 9 |
Orlando PalmeiroOrlando Palmeiro is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He attended high school at Miami Southridge High School and played college baseball at the University of Miami....
|
120 |
| 10 |
Jerry Lynch Gerald Thomas Lynch is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds . He was born in Munger, Michigan....
|
116 |
| 11 |
Red Lucas Charles Fred Lucas born in Columbia, Tennessee was a pitcher for the New York Giants , Boston Braves , Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates ....
|
114 |
| 12 |
Steve Braun |
113 |
| 13 |
Terry Crowley Terrence Michael Crowley is a former Major League Baseball player who now serves as the interim bullpen coach for the Baltimore Orioles.-Player career:...
|
108 |
| |
Denny Walling Dennis Martin Walling is a former Major League Baseball player. Walling played all or part of eighteen seasons in the majors, from 1975 to 1992. He played his most games as a third baseman, but also saw significant time as an outfielder and first baseman.Walling may be best known as a...
|
108 |
| 15 |
Gates Brown William James "Gates" Brown is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers...
|
107 |
| 16 |
Jim DwyerJames Edward Dwyer is a former outfielder who enjoyed an eighteen year major league career for seven different teams between and . Listed at 5' 10", 165 lb., he batted and threw left-handed.-MLB career:...
|
103 |
| |
Mike Lum Michael Ken-Wai Lum was an Outfielder and First Baseman for the Atlanta Braves , Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs...
|
103 |
| 18 |
Rusty Staub Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
|
100 |
| |
Matt StairsMatthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
|
100 |
| 20 |
Dave Clark David Earl Clark is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1986 to 1998. He served as manager of the Houston Astros Double-A affiliate, the Corpus Christi Hooks, from 2005 to 2007, and led them to the Texas League Championship in 2006...
|
96 |
All-time pinch hit records
- Lenny Harris
Leonard Anthony Harris is a former Major League Baseball utility infielder who is currently the hitting instructor for the Great Lakes Loons. He is best known for holding the record for the most pinch hits in a major league career...
– 804
- Lenny Harris
Leonard Anthony Harris is a former Major League Baseball utility infielder who is currently the hitting instructor for the Great Lakes Loons. He is best known for holding the record for the most pinch hits in a major league career...
– 212
- Most pinch hit grand slams
- Rich Reese
Richard Benjamin Reese , is a former professional baseball player who played outfield and first base in the major leagues from 1964-1973....
, Willie McCoveyWillie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
, Ron NortheyRonald James Northey was an American professional baseball player and coach. He was an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies , St. Louis Cardinals , Cincinnati Reds , Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox...
– tied with three each
- Matt Stairs
Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
- 23
- Most pinch hit game winning grand slams
- Brooks Conrad
Brooks Litchfield Conrad , nicknamed "Raw Dog", is a Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and pinch hitter for the Atlanta Braves.-Career:...
– 2
- Most pinch hit grand slams by one team in a season
- Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Brooks ConradBrooks Litchfield Conrad , nicknamed "Raw Dog", is a Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and pinch hitter for the Atlanta Braves.-Career:...
, Brian McCann – 3 total in 2010
Single season pinch hits records
- John Vander Wal
John Henry Vander Wal is a former American Major League Baseball left-handed hitter who played outfield and first base for eight different teams over 14 seasons.-Early life:...
– 28 (1995)
- Lenny Harris
Leonard Anthony Harris is a former Major League Baseball utility infielder who is currently the hitting instructor for the Great Lakes Loons. He is best known for holding the record for the most pinch hits in a major league career...
– 83 (2001)
- Lenny Harris
Leonard Anthony Harris is a former Major League Baseball utility infielder who is currently the hitting instructor for the Great Lakes Loons. He is best known for holding the record for the most pinch hits in a major league career...
– 95 (2001)
- Most consecutive pinch hits
- Dave Philley
David Earl Philley is a former outfielder who played in Major League Baseball. A switch-hitter who threw right-handed, he debuted on September 6, and played his final game on August 6, . He was born in Paris, Texas....
and Rusty StaubDaniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
– tied with eight each (1958 and 1983)
- Dave Hansen
David Andrew Hansen in Long Beach, California, is a former Major League Baseball player, specializing as a pinch hitter. He is currently the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
and Craig Wilson – tied with seven each (2000 and 2001)
- Joe Cronin
Joseph Edward Cronin was a Major League Baseball shortstop and manager.During a 20-year playing career, he played from 1926–45 for three different teams, primarily for the Boston Red Sox. Cronin was a major league manager from 1933–47...
, Jerry LynchGerald Thomas Lynch is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds . He was born in Munger, Michigan....
, Rusty StaubDaniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
– tied with 25 each (1943, 1961 and 1983)
- Matt Franco
Matthew Neil Franco is a former professional baseball player who played first base in the major leagues from 1995–2003, and in Nippon Professional Baseball from 2004-2006. Franco started his pro career in 1987 with the Rookie League Wytheville Cubs in the Appalachian League...
– 20 (1999)
- Most pinch hit game winning grandslam home runs
- Brooks Conrad
Brooks Litchfield Conrad , nicknamed "Raw Dog", is a Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and pinch hitter for the Atlanta Braves.-Career:...
– 2(2010)
Pinch hit home runs
- The following players have been called into a game and hit a pinch-hit home run during their first ever Major League at-bat:
American League
| Date |
Name |
Team |
Inning |
| 04-30-1937 |
Ace Parker Clarence "Ace" Parker, is a former quarterback who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Yanks , and the New York Yankees. He was an All-American tailback at Duke University in 1936...
|
Philadelphia |
9th Inning |
| 09-05-1962 |
John Kennedy |
Washington |
6th Inning |
| 06-19-1963 |
Gates Brown William James "Gates" Brown is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers...
|
Detroit |
5th Inning |
| 09-30-1964 |
Bill Roman William Anthony Roman is a retired Major League Baseball player who was an infielder during – for the Detroit Tigers. He attended the University of Michigan, stood tall and weighed ....
|
Detroit |
7th Inning |
| 09-12-1965 |
Brant Alyea Garrabrant Ryerson Alyea was a Major League Baseball outfielder from to . In 1970, while playing for the Minnesota Twins, Alyea had two 7 RBI games, on April 7 and on September 7....
|
Washington |
6th Inning |
| 08-07-1968 |
Joe Keough Joseph William Keough is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1968 through 1973 for the Oakland Athletics , Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox . Keough batted and threw left-handed...
|
Oakland |
8th Inning |
| 04-07-1977 |
Alvis Woods Alvis "Al" Woods is a former left fielder who played in Major League Baseball between and . He batted and threw left-handed....
|
Toronto |
5th Inning |
National League
| Date |
Name |
Team |
Inning |
| 04-21-1898 |
Bill Duggleby William James Duggleby , nicknamed "Frosty Bill," was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He played from 1898 to 1907. He also played two games for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1902 and nine games for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1907...
|
Philadelphia |
2nd inning |
| 04-14-1936 |
Eddie Morgan Edwin Willis Morgan [Pepper] was a backup right fielder/first baseman who played in Major League Baseball between and . Listed at 5' 10", ., Morgan batted and threw left-handed. He was born in Brady Lake, Ohio....
|
St. Louis |
7th Inning |
| 05-21-1948 |
Les Layton Lester Lee Layton is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder who played in 63 games for the New York Giants. He was born in Nardin, Oklahoma.-External links:...
|
New York |
9th Inning |
| 09-14-1950 |
Ted Tappe Theodore Nash Tappe was an American professional baseball player from 1950–1952, 1954–1955 and 1957–1961. An outfielder, he appeared in 34 Major League Baseball games played for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs...
|
Cincinnati |
8th Inning |
| 04-12-1955 |
Chuck Tanner Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
|
Milwaukee |
8th Inning |
| 09-08-1998 |
Marlon Anderson Marlon Ordell Anderson is a former Major League Baseball utility player. He was widely known for his clutch hits, and writers for publications including The New York Times and Newsday had referred to him as one of the best pinch-hitters in the game...
|
Philadelphia |
7th Inning |
| 04-17-2001 |
Gene Stechschulte Gene Stechschulte is a former Major League Baseball player who pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2000-2002. Stechschulte began his professional baseball career in the Cardinals' minor league system in 1996 as an undrafted free agent...
|
St. Louis |
6th Inning |
| 08-21-2005 |
Mike Jacobs |
New York |
5th Inning |
| 09-01-2005 |
Jeremy HermidaJeremy Ryan Hermida is an outfielder in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.-Early career:...
|
Florida |
7th Inning |
| 09-04-2006 |
Charlton Jimerson Charlton Maxwell Jimerson is a guest co-host for Life Beyond The League. He played college baseball at the University of Miami.-Early life:...
|
Houston |
6th Inning |
| 09-08-2008 |
Mark Saccomanno Mark Edison Saccomanno is a first baseman in the Florida Marlins organization. At 17, Saccomanno was awarded the Klein Forest High School Golden Glove award. He was also selected to the 17-and-under AAU National All-Tournament Team. At 18, was named Second-Team All-District 16-5A as a shortstop...
|
Houston |
5th Inning |
| 08-28-2009 |
John Hester John Hester is a right-handed Major League Baseball catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. On August 28, 2009 on his major league debut, he hit a two-run homer in his first Major League at-bat in a game against the Houston Astros.-Education career:He attended Marist School in Atlanta before attending...
|
Arizona |
6th Inning |
External links