Baron’s Corner

ICYMI The designated hitter is here. So, which Phillies pitcher had the club’s last at-bat? Hit? Home run? Pinch-homer? World Series a-bat? You may be surprised.

Yes, pitchers will no longer be penciled in a batting lineup since the National League has joined the designated hitter universe. Oh, there’s always a chance a pitcher will be slotted in the DH spot. Creatures like Shohei Otani are really rare, however.

Now that Phillies pitchers are “outta here” as batters (or hitters) here’s a phabulous trivia exercise of “lasts”

At-bat

Bailey Falter, 10/3/21, struck out, 2nd inning, at Miami (final game of the season; Pablo Lopez).

Base runner

Ranger Suarez, 10/1/21, hit-by-pitch, 3rd inning, at Miami (Sandy Alcantara).

Home run

Kyle Gibson, 9/24/21, 3rd inning, vs. Pirates, Citizens Bank Park (Miguel Yajure).

Hit

Gibson, above home run

Pinch-hit appearance

Vince Velasquez, 7/29/21 2nd game, 7th inning, vs. Nationals, CBP; batting for J.D. Hammer, 6–3 (Wander Suero).

At bat in World Series

Cliff Lee, 11/2/09, single, 3rd inning, Game 5, vs. Yankees, CBP (David Robertson).

Two home runs, game

Randy Wolf, 8/11/2004, vs. Rockies, CBP, 3rd inning (Jason Jennings); 6th inning (Adam Benero).

Inside-the-park home run

Curt Simmons, 5/22/1952, vs. Pirates, Shibe Park, 6th inning, 2 runners on base (Red Munger); Curt’s lone HR.

Grand slam

Robert Person, 6/2/2002 vs. Expos, Veterans Stadium, 1st inning (Bruce Chen).

Pinch hit grand slam

Schoolboy Rowe, 5/2/1943 2nd game, vs. Boston Braves, Shibe Park, 6th inning (Al Javery).

Pinch hit home run

Omar Olivares, 7/24/1995, 5th inning, vs. Rockies, Vet, batting for Tyler Green, (Bryan Rekar).

First hit a home run

Jeff Bittiger, 9/22/1986, at Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Stadium, 3rd inning (Bob Kipper); 1st ML win, 8–4.

(Sources: 2021 Phillies Media Guide, baseball-reference.com, baseball almanac.com and an archaeologist’s best friend, google).