These players were willing to pitch in when needed
Article By smcneal.tsn on 15th February, 2010
Like pitchers who fancy themselves as hitters, sometimes position players think they can pitch. Sometimes they even get to take the mound. Who cares if their team is losing big and they're out there only so their manager can save his bullpen?
The experience remains memorable for six players who talked to the Sporting News about pitching in a big-league game.
How did you get the chance? 'I'd always wanted to pitch in the big leagues,' Cody Ross says. Marlins outfielder Cody Ross: "I'd always wanted to pitch in the big leagues, just to get in an inning in. I started lobbying for it in 2006, when Joe Girardi was here. I told him if you ever need someone to come in and eat up an inning, I'll be the guy. I told Fredi (Gonzalez) the same thing."
Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher: "I was standing there. They said, 'Have you ever pitched?' I said, 'Yeah.' I didn't tell them it was in high school."
Former Dodgers infielder Mark Loretta: "We had used a lot of pitchers and one of our setup guys was up and getting loose. (Third-base coach) Larry Bowa and I looked at each other and said, hopefully he doesn't have to come into a game like this. I said, 'I'll go out there if I have do.' Larry goes, 'Are you serious?' Then he goes, 'Joe (Torre), Loretta will go.' So Albert Pujols walked and Joe said, 'Let's go.'"
Reds infielder Aaron Miles: "Tony La Russa initially asked So Taguchi if he wanted to pitch, as a courtesy to the veteran guy who might want the experience. So didn't want to. The only other guy was me. Tony looked over at me, there was no asking. You're going down to the bullpen to get warmed up. You're pitching the eighth."
Reds shortstop Paul Janish: "I'm from Houston and I went to Rice. Dusty (Baker) is very good buddies with Ralph Garr, who is a scout in Houston who had seen me pitch a bunch in college. He brought that up in the clubhouse when we...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
The experience remains memorable for six players who talked to the Sporting News about pitching in a big-league game.
How did you get the chance? 'I'd always wanted to pitch in the big leagues,' Cody Ross says. Marlins outfielder Cody Ross: "I'd always wanted to pitch in the big leagues, just to get in an inning in. I started lobbying for it in 2006, when Joe Girardi was here. I told him if you ever need someone to come in and eat up an inning, I'll be the guy. I told Fredi (Gonzalez) the same thing."
Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher: "I was standing there. They said, 'Have you ever pitched?' I said, 'Yeah.' I didn't tell them it was in high school."
Former Dodgers infielder Mark Loretta: "We had used a lot of pitchers and one of our setup guys was up and getting loose. (Third-base coach) Larry Bowa and I looked at each other and said, hopefully he doesn't have to come into a game like this. I said, 'I'll go out there if I have do.' Larry goes, 'Are you serious?' Then he goes, 'Joe (Torre), Loretta will go.' So Albert Pujols walked and Joe said, 'Let's go.'"
Reds infielder Aaron Miles: "Tony La Russa initially asked So Taguchi if he wanted to pitch, as a courtesy to the veteran guy who might want the experience. So didn't want to. The only other guy was me. Tony looked over at me, there was no asking. You're going down to the bullpen to get warmed up. You're pitching the eighth."
Reds shortstop Paul Janish: "I'm from Houston and I went to Rice. Dusty (Baker) is very good buddies with Ralph Garr, who is a scout in Houston who had seen me pitch a bunch in college. He brought that up in the clubhouse when we...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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