In baseball, a pinch hitter is a common term for a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted in at any time while the ball is dead (not in active play); the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute. This is called offensive substitution. The player that is removed from the game cannot return to play for the rest of the game. Pinch hitters are often used to replace a starting player when the pinch hitter is thought to have a better chance of reaching base or helping other runners to score. This article is about the sport. ... In baseball, when the ball is dead, no runners may advance beyond bases they are entitled to, and no runners may be put out. ... New York Yankees manager Joe Torre returning to the dugout (September 2005). ...

In the National League of Major League Baseball, the Pacific League in Japan, and various other Minor leagues, pinch hitters are often substituted for the pitcher in the middle or late innings of a game. This is because pitchers are often poor hitters and get tired after six to seven innings of pitching. This use of a pinch hitter is often part of a double switch, in which a relief pitcher replaces a defensive player who will not bat soon, and a defensive player replaces the former starting pitcher that is currently up to bat. This strengthens the lineup in the short term by preventing the relief pitcher from batting and allowing a better hitter to bat, without burning up a lot of players. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League, is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada and the worlds oldest extant professional team sports league. ... Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in North American professional baseball. ... The Pacific League (パシフィック・リーグ Pashifikku Riigu) is one of Japans two major professional baseball leagues (the other is the Central League). ... Minor leagues in the sense intended in this article are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Double Switch is a full motion video game released for the Sega CD (1993), the Sega Saturn, Mac and Windows 95. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Nearly all other leagues use the designated hitter rule; thus pitchers seldom bat, removing a possible situation where a pinch hitter may be desired. This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ...

MLB all-time pinch hit leaders

This is a list of pinch hitters with the most hits in Major League Baseball.

• Notes

Bold: active player

Includes games through July 28, 2007

is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2007 throughout the world. ... Leonard Anthony (Lenny) Harris (born October 28, 1964 in Miami, Florida) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played with the Florida Marlins. ... Mark Patrick Sweeney (born October 26, 1969 Framingham, Massachusetts — ) is a utility player currently playing in his eleventh season with the Colorado Rockies of the National League. ... Manny Mota (born Manuel Rafael Mota Geronimo on February 18, 1938 in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic) was a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers, best known for his pinch hitting. ... Forrest Harrill Smokey Burgess (February 6, 1927 - September 15, 1991) was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who became known for his ability as a pinch hitter. ... Gregory Eugene Gross (born August 1, 1952 in York, Pennsylvania), is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1973-1989. ... David Andrew Hansen (Born November 24, 1968) in Long Beach, California, is a Major League Baseball player, specializing as a pinch hitter. ... John (Henry) Vander Wal is an American Major League Baseball player, a left-handed hitter who played outfield and first base for eight different teams over 14 seasons. ... José Manuel (Hernández) Morales (born December 30, 1944) is a former catcher/first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for five different teams between 1973 and 1984. ... Gerald Thomas Lynch (born July 17, 1930 in Munger, Michigan), is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1954-56 and 1963-66) and Cincinnati Reds (1957-63). ... Charles Fred Lucas (April 28, 1902 - July 9, 1986) born in Columbia, Tennessee was a Pitcher for the New York Giants (1923), Boston Braves (1924), Cincinnati Reds (1926-33) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1934-38). ... Stephen Russell Braun (born May 8, 1948, in Trenton, New Jersey) was a Major League Baseball outfielder, third baseman, and designated hitter. ... Terry Crowley (born February 16, 1947 in Staten Island, New York) is the current hitting coach of the Baltimore Orioles, a Major League Baseball team. ... Dennis Martin Walling (born April 17, 1954 in Neptune, New Jersey) was a 61 185 lbs. ... William James Gates Brown (born in Crestline, Ohio on May 2, 1939) is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers (1963-1975). ... Michael Ken-Wai Lum (born October 27, 1945 in Honolulu, Hawaii) was an Outfielder and First Baseman for the Atlanta Braves (1967-75 and 1979-81), Cincinnati Reds (1976-78) and Chicago Cubs (1981). ... 1964 Topps baseball card #109 Daniel Joseph Rusty Staub (born April 1, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was a Major League Baseball player for 23 seasons (1963-1985), for the Houston Colt . ... Dave Clark (born September 3, 1962 in Tupelo, Mississippi) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. ... Lawrence David Biittner (July 27, 1945 in Pocahontas, Iowa), is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1970-1983. ... Vic Davalillo [da-va-LEEL-lyo], born Víctor José Davalillo Romero (July 31, 1936 in Cabimas, Zulia State, Venezuela), is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians (1963-1968), California Angels (1968-69), St. ... Gerald Perry (born October 30, 1960 in Savannah, Georgia), is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a 1st baseman from 1983-1995. ... Jerry Wayne Hairston (born February 16, 1952 in Birmingham, Alabama) is a former Major League Baseball player, and father to current major leaguers Jerry Hairston, Jr. ... Topps baseball card, 1953 Series #064 . David Earl Philley (born May 16, 1920 in Paris, Texas) is a former center fielder who played in Major League Baseball. ... Joel Randolph Youngblood III (born August 28, 1951 in Houston, Texas was a Major League Baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds, St. ... John William Johnstone Jr. ... David Joseph Magadan (born September 30, 1962 in Tampa, Florida) was a Major League Baseball player, and is currently a Major League Baseball coach. ... Elmer William Valo ( March 5, 1921 - July 19, 1998) was a Major League Baseball player, coach and scout, making his debut on September 22, 1940. ...

All-Time pinch hits records

• Most pinch hit at-bat

Lenny Harris – 804

• Most pinch hits career

Lenny Harris – 212

• Most pinch hit grand slams

Rich Reese, Willie McCovey, Ron Northey – tied with three each

• Most pinch hit home runs

Cliff Johnson – 20

Leonard Anthony (Lenny) Harris (born October 28, 1964 in Miami, Florida) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played with the Florida Marlins. ... Leonard Anthony (Lenny) Harris (born October 28, 1964 in Miami, Florida) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played with the Florida Marlins. ... Richard Benjamin Reese (born September 29, 1941 in Leipsic, Ohio), is a former professional baseball player who played outfield and first base in the Major Leagues from 1964-1973. ... Willie Lee McCovey (born January 10, 1938 in Mobile, Alabama), nicknamed Big Mac and Stretch, is a former slugger and first baseman who played Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics between 1959 and 1980. ... Ronald James Northey (April 26, 1920 - April 16, 1971) born in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania was an Outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies/Philadelphia Blue Jays (1942-44, 1946-47 and 1957), St. ... Clifford Johnson, Jr. ...

Single Season pinch hits records

• Most pinch hits

John Vander Wal – 28 (1995) ^[1]

• Most pinch hit at-bats

Lenny Harris – 83 (2001)

• Most pinch hit games

Lenny Harris – 95 (2001)

• Most consecutive pinch hits

Dave Philley and Rusty Staub – tied with eight each (1958 and 1983)

• Most pinch hit home runs

Dave Hansen and Craig Wilson – tied with seven each (2000 and 2001)

• Most pinch hit RBI

Joe Cronin, Jerry Lynch, Rusty Staub – tied with 25 each (1943, 1961 and 1983)

• Most pinch hit walks

Matt Franco – 20 (1999)

John (Henry) Vander Wal is an American Major League Baseball player, a left-handed hitter who played outfield and first base for eight different teams over 14 seasons. ... Leonard Anthony (Lenny) Harris (born October 28, 1964 in Miami, Florida) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played with the Florida Marlins. ... Leonard Anthony (Lenny) Harris (born October 28, 1964 in Miami, Florida) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played with the Florida Marlins. ... Topps baseball card, 1953 Series #064 . David Earl Philley (born May 16, 1920 in Paris, Texas) is a former center fielder who played in Major League Baseball. ... 1964 Topps baseball card #109 Daniel Joseph Rusty Staub (born April 1, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was a Major League Baseball player for 23 seasons (1963-1985), for the Houston Colt . ... David Andrew Hansen (Born November 24, 1968) in Long Beach, California, is a Major League Baseball player, specializing as a pinch hitter. ... Craig Allan Wilson (born November 30, 1976) is a baseball player who currently plays first base for the Atlanta Braves of the National League. ... Joe Cronin Joseph Edward Cronin (October 12, 1906 – September 7, 1984) was a Major League Baseball player from 1926 to 1945 and manager from 1933 to 1947. ... Gerald Thomas Lynch (born July 17, 1930 in Munger, Michigan), is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1954-56 and 1963-66) and Cincinnati Reds (1957-63). ... 1964 Topps baseball card #109 Daniel Joseph Rusty Staub (born April 1, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was a Major League Baseball player for 23 seasons (1963-1985), for the Houston Colt . ... Matt Franco (born August 19, 1969 in Santa Monica, California), is a former professional baseball player who played first base in the Major Leagues from 1995-2003. ...

Trivia

• The major league record for pinch-hit home runs during a doubleheader is two (2), which has only been accomplished twice: Joe Cronin with the Boston Red Sox on June 17, 1943 and Hal Breeden with the Montreal Expos on July 13, 1973.

• The following players have been called into a game and hit a pinch-hit home run during their first ever Major League at-bat:

American League

Date	Name	Team	Inning
04-30-1937	Ace Parker	Philadelphia	9th Inning
09-05-1962	John Kennedy	Washington	6th Inning
06-19-1963	Gates Brown	Detroit	5th Inning
09-30-1964	Bill Roman	Detroit	7th Inning
09-12-1965	Brant Alyea	Washington	6th Inning
08-07-1968	Joe Keough	Oakland	8th Inning
04-07-1977	Al Woods	Toronto	5th Inning

National League

Date	Name	Team	Inning
4-21-1898	Bill Duggleby	Philadelphia
04-14-1936	Eddie Morgan	St. Louis	7th Inning
05-21-1948	Les Layton	New York	9th Inning
09-14-1950	Ted Tappe	Cincinnati	8th Inning
04-12-1955	Chuck Tanner	Milwaukee	8th Inning
09-08-1998	Marlon Anderson	Philadelphia	7th Inning
04-17-2001	Gene Stechschulte	St. Louis	6th Inning
08-21-2005	Mike Jacobs	New York	5th Inning
09-01-2005	Jeremy Hermida	Florida	7th Inning

• Three teams are tied for the record number of pinch-hitters during a nine-inning game, with 9: the Los Angeles Dodgers (versus the St. Louis Cardinals on September 22, 1959), the Montreal Expos (versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 5, 1975), and the Atlanta Braves (versus the Montreal Expos on September 21, 1993). Naturally, all three games were in September, when major-league rosters expand from 25 to 40 players.

• Other players who have batted as pinch hitting specialists in their careers include:

Joe Cronin Joseph Edward Cronin (October 12, 1906 – September 7, 1984) was a Major League Baseball player from 1926 to 1945 and manager from 1933 to 1947. ... Clarence Ace McKay Parker, (May 17, 1912 in Portsmouth, Virginia) is a Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1937-1941), Boston Yanks (1945), and the New York Yankees. ... William James Gates Brown (born in Crestline, Ohio on May 2, 1939) is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers (1963-1975). ... Garrabrant Ryerson Alyea (born December 8, 1940 in Passaic, New Jersey) was a Major League Baseball outfielder from 1965 to 1972. ... Topps baseball card, 1971 Series #451 . Joseph William Keough (born January 7, 1946 in Pomona, California) is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1968 through 1973 for the Oakland Athletics (1968), Kansas City Royals (1969-72) and Chicago White Sox (1973). ... Alvis (Al) Woods (born August 8, 1953 in Oakland, California) is a former left fielder who played in Major League Baseball between 1977 and 1986. ... Bill Duggleby (1874–1944), nicknamed Frosty Bill, was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. ... Charles William Tanner (Born July 4, 1929 in New Castle, Pennsylvania) is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. ... Marlon Ordell Anderson is a Major League Baseball infielder who was born on January 16, 1974 in Montgomery, Alabama. ... Gene Stechschulte (August 12, 1973 in Lima, Ohio), was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 2000-2002. ... Michael James Jacobs (born October 30, 1980, in Chula Vista, California) is a baseball first baseman and catcher who plays for the Florida Marlins. ... Jeremy Ryan Hermida (born January 30, 1984 in Marietta, Georgia) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Florida Marlins. ... Joseph Wilbur Adcock (October 30, 1927 - May 3, 1999) was a Major League Baseball first baseman/outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Cincinnati Reds (1950-52), Boston & Milwaukee Braves (1953-62), Cleveland Indians (1963), and Los Angeles & California Angels (1964-66). ... Jeffrey Alan (Jeff) Burroughs (born March 7, 1951 in Long Beach, California) is a former player in Major League Baseball. ... Bernie Carbo - TSN archives. ... Mark Carreon (born July 19, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois), is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder and 1st baseman from 1987-1996. ... Robert Henry Cerv (born 5 May 1926 in Lincoln, Nebraska) was an American baseball player. ... George Daniel Crowe was born on April 30, 1921 in Whiteland, Indiana. ... Wesley Cheek Ferrell (February 2, 1908 - December 9, 1976) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for several teams from 1927 to 1941, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. ... Julio César Robles Franco (born August 23, 1958, in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball infielder who plays for the Atlanta Braves, after being designated for assignment by the New York Mets. ... Glenallen Hill (born March 22, 1965 in Santa Cruz, California) is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 13 seasons. ... Leondaus Lee Lacy (born April 10, 1948 in Longview, Texas), is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility man from 1972-1987. ... Ryan Ludwick (born July 13, 1978 in Satellite Beach, Florida) is a baseball player on the St. ... Candido Maldonado Guadarrama (born September 5, 1960 in Humacao, Puerto Rico) was a Major League Baseball outfielder from 1981 to 1995 for the Los Angeles Dodgers1981-1985, San Francisco Giants1986-1989, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays (twice), Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers. ... Gonzalo Enrique Márquez Moya (March 31, 1946 - December 20, 1984), better known as Gonzalo Márquez [MAR-keth], was a Major League Baseball first baseman and left-handed batter who played for the Oakland Athletics (1972-73) and Chicago Cubs (1973-74). ... Kenneth Lee (Ken) McMullen (born June 1, 1942 in Oxnard, California) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. ... Donald Ray Mincher (born June 24, 1938 Huntsville, Alabama - ) was a first baseman/outfielder with a 13 year career from 1960 to 1972. ... Graig Nettles (born August 20, 1944 in San Diego, California) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and left-handed batter who played for the Minnesota Twins (1967-69), Cleveland Indians (1970-72), New York Yankees (1973-83), San Diego Padres (1984-86), Atlanta Braves (1987) and Montreal Expos... Wally Post was a major league outfielder for about a dozen years in the nineteen fifties and early sixties. ... James Lamar Rhodes (born May 13, 1927 in Mathews, Alabama) was an outfielder with a 7 year career from 1952-1957, 1959. ... James Edward Pete Runnels (January 28, 1928 - May 20, 1991) was a Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Washington Senators (1951-57), Boston Red Sox (1958-62) and Houston Colt . ... Luis Ernesto Salazar Garcia (born May 19, 1956 in Barcelona, Anzoátegui State, Venezuela) is a former third baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball, a right-handed batter who played from 1980 to 1992. ... Enos Bradsher Slaughter (April 26, 1916 - August 12, 2002) was an American baseball player. ... John Junior Summers (born June 15, 1946 in Bremerton, Washington), is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder and pinch hitter from 1974-1984. ... Jerry Turner served as artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival from 1971 – 1991. ... Delbert Bernard Unser (born December 9, 1944 Decatur, IL - ) was a utility player with a 15 year career from 1968 to 1982. ... Michael Francis Welch (July 4, 1859 - July 30, 1941), also known as Mickey Welch, was a 19th century Major League Baseball starting pitcher. ... Fred Whitfield (Born January 7, 1938 in Vandiver, Alabama) was a former first baseman in major league baseball. ... Cy Williams of the Philadelphia Phillies at Cubs Park in 1922. ... Gus Edward Zernial (born June 27, 1923 in Beaumont, Texas) is a former Major League Baseball left-fielder and right-handed batter who played for the Chicago White Sox (1949-51), Philadelphia Athletics (1951-54), Kansas City Athletics (1955-57) and Detroit Tigers (1958-59). ...

Sources

• Pinch hitter, used as a Standard Informal and Conversational term
• Pinch hitting record from the Baseball Almanac

See also

• At bat
• Designated hitter