Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
In the 19th inning Wilson Valdez, the Phillies infielder, pitched a shutout inning.
First time he ever pitched in his career, major or minors.
Threw in the high 80's.
Game still in progress, hope the Phillies get him a win.
The Phis won the game in the 19th. against a Reds pitcher who was so tired, he could barely keep his balance on the mound, Valdez was the winning pitcher, first win in more than ten years credited to a position player. The Cardinals' Jose Oquendo once pitched three scoreless innings against the Braves before he gave up a run, with a starting pitcher playing an outfield position, who even caught a fly fall on the warning track.
Even odder in the game: Valdez hit Rolen with a pitch with one out in the 19th. Why didn't Rolen try to steal second, and third, to score on a fly ball? Valdez never even looked over at him, made no attempt to hold him on nor to vary his pitch timing, and obviously didn't know how to. If Rolen had stolen second and third, he probably could have broken for home, and I bet Valdez would have balked.
When Fisher, the over-tired Reds pitcher, need to issue an intentional walk in the 19th, why didn't the manager put him at third base, and have a position player throw the four pitches for the IP? That at least would have given him a little rest and saved a little gas.
In the late '80's the Giants had a game against the Expos where SF had built a huge lead and Montreal brought in thirdbaseman Vance Law to pitch. He did a credible job, three and a third innings, five hits, no walks, two runs....and he struck out two Giants hitters, Dave Henderson and Robbie Thompson.
After the game, Hendu was asked about the strikeout and he replied..."What can I say? Vance Law has always owned me."
Valdez is the first position player to start a game (at a regular position) and get the win as the pitcher since Babe Ruth in 1908
.
At age 13, Ruth was also the youngest player to do it. Did you mean 1918?
Another first-since-Ruth accomplishment that flew under the radar was in the NL playoffs last year, when Rink Ankiel became the first player since Ruth to start a post-season game as both a pitcher and a position player. Several players have appeared as both, including Johnny Lindell. Just the year before, Ankiel had a chance, but only pinch-hit.
8, 18 you get the point, either way a very odd and rare occurance. Not many times will Valdez and Ruth be mentioned in the same breadth
Thank for bringing it up, though, I had not heard that fact.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
