Why do some southpaw pitchers bat right-handed? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian · 10-24-2004, 05:57 PM

Over the years I noticed that there were pitchers who threw left-handed but batted primarily right-handed. Why do you suppose? Their left elbow would be exposed so it wouldn't be for protection.

Pitchers that batted and threw this way include

Carl Hubbell
Sandy Koufax
Dave McNally
Tommy John
Jesse Orosco
Jerry Koosman
Tug McGraw
Don Gullett
Randy Johnson
Mike Hampton

Kitt · 10-25-2004, 09:06 PM

Have you found that to be more often the case with southpaw pitchers than with right handed pitchers and other position players? If so, I don't know. That's curious.

Most team rosters have a guy or two or three guys who are listed as 'throws right/bats left or throws left/bats right. Rickey Henderson threw left and batted right. I mean, I'm sure he still does but he's not playing in the majors at the moment.

Brian · 10-25-2004, 11:40 PM

Didn't Rickey Henderson used to be a switch-hitter in his early playing days?

Kitt · 10-26-2004, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian
Didn't Rickey Henderson used to be a switch-hitter in his early playing days?

Not that I recall. I watched him play since 1981.

Do you ever check out www.mlb.com?
I looked at a few of the rosters they had listed. The ones I looked at all have a few of those 'bats one way and hits another' players. Like I said, though, you might be on to something about the southpaws hitting right handed. I've just never looked into it.

10-24-2004, 05:57 PM	#1
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	Why do some southpaw pitchers bat right-handed? Over the years I noticed that there were pitchers who threw left-handed but batted primarily right-handed. Why do you suppose? Their left elbow would be exposed so it wouldn't be for protection. Pitchers that batted and threw this way include Carl Hubbell Sandy Koufax Dave McNally Tommy John Jesse Orosco Jerry Koosman Tug McGraw Don Gullett Randy Johnson Mike Hampton

10-25-2004, 09:06 PM	#2
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	Have you found that to be more often the case with southpaw pitchers than with right handed pitchers and other position players? If so, I don't know. That's curious. Most team rosters have a guy or two or three guys who are listed as 'throws right/bats left or throws left/bats right. Rickey Henderson threw left and batted right. I mean, I'm sure he still does but he's not playing in the majors at the moment.

10-25-2004, 11:40 PM	#3
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	Didn't Rickey Henderson used to be a switch-hitter in his early playing days?