Batting by Pitchers in the World Series
From Great Hitting Pitchers, edited by L. Robert "Bob' Davids, published 1979
Although there have been flashes of hitting ability by hurlers in World Series games, no hurler had sustained
superior performance at bat. Ken Holtzman had a homer and double in four trips for Oakland in 1974, which
was the second year of the DH in regular season play in the American League. That gave him four extra-base
hits in World Series play, the most of any pitcher and a career slugging percentage of .833.
Jack Bentley had the best batting average-.417 on 5 hits in 12 trips. Dutch Ruether hit two triples and also
batted .364 in 7 World Series games. Dave McNally of the Orioles collected only two hits in 16 trips, but both
were home runs. One was a grand slam, giving him a total of 6 runs batted in. Even Babe Ruth had only one hit
in 11 at bats while pitching in the Series for the Red Sox. Red Ruffing could collect only six hits in 34 trips.
This included three at bats as a pinch hitter, which itself is quite a compliment for a Series pitcher.
Here is a list of some of the more productive batters, including those with long service, among World Series
hurlers. The cumulative records include only those with more than 10 at bats.
Pitcher G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Bat. Slug.
Jack Bentley 10 12 1 5 1 0 1 2 0.417* 0.750
Dutch Ruether 7 11 2 4 1 2* 0 4 0.364 0.818
Ken Holtzman 8 12 4* 4 3* 0 1 1 0.333 0.833*
Jack Coombs 6 24 1 8 1 0 0 4 0.333 0.375
Dizzy Dean 6 15 3 5 2 0 0 1 0.333 0.467
Burleigh Grimes 9 19 1 6 0 0 0 2 .3 16 0.316
Johnny Podres 7 16 2 5 1 0 0 1 0.313 0.375
Allie Reynolds 15 26 2 8 1 0 0 2 0.308 0.346
Ch.Mathewson 11 32 2 9* 0 0 0 1 0.281 0.281
Red Ruffing 14 34 1 6 1 0 0 4 0.176 0.206
Bob Gibson 9 28 4* 4 0 0 2* 3 0.143 0.357
Dave McNally 9 16 2 2 0 0 2* 6* 0.125 0.500
Whitey Ford 22* 49* 4* 4 0 0 0 3 0.082 0.082
Pitchers hitting home runs in World Series games or the league playoff championship series are listed below.
World Series
Jim Bagby, Indians, 1920
Rosy Ryan, Giants, 1924
Jack Bentley, Giants, 1924
Jess Haines, Cardinals, 1926
Bucky Walters, Reds, 1940
Lew Burdette, Braves, 1958
Mudcat Grant, Twins, 1965
Jose Santiago, Red Sox, 1967
Bob Gibson, Cardinals, 1967 and 1968
Mickey Lolich, Tigers, 1968
Dave McNally, Orioles, 1969 and 1970 (Slam)
Ken Holtzman, A's, 1974
Joe Blanton, Phillies, 2008
Championship Series
Mike Cuellar, Orioles, 1970 (Slam)
Don Gullett, Reds, 1975
Steve Carlton, Phillies, 1978
Dave McNally of Baltimore hit 2 (one a Grand Slam) & Bob Gibson of St. Louis also hit 2
No pitcher has ever hit 2 home runs in one World Series game. Bob Gibson and Dave McNally are the only two pitchers to have hit 2 home runs in their World Series careers.
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NY Yankees
joe blanton is one
Jackie Robinson stole home in the 1955 World Series vs. the New York Yankees. Whitey Ford was the Yankees' pitcher, with Yogi Berra catching.
The Yankees played four games away (0-4) and three games at home (3-0) in the 2001 World Series.
Bob Gibson
1) Lou Gehrig of the Yankees hit 4 home runs and batted .545 in the 1928 World Series and hit 3 home runs and batted .529 in the 1932 World Series. 2) Babe Ruth of the Yankees hit 3 home runs and batted .625 in the 1928 World Series. 3) Hideki Matsui of the Yankees hit 3 home runs and batted .615 in the 2009 World Series.
Philadelphia PhiliesThe Philadelphia Philies hit 11 home Runs and the New York Yankees hit 6 home runs in the 2009 World Series.
The Philadelphia Phillies hit 11 home runs, and the New York Yankees hit 6 home runs during the 2009 World Series. The Yankees won the series 4 games to 2.
two. Bob Gibson & Dave McNally
Yes the Phillies are a home grown team, while the Yankees bought themseleves a ticket to the World Series! Go Phillies! Yankees SUCK!!!!!!!