Now that baseball is back with the designated hitter in both leagues, the potential exists for the complete end of pitchers hitting, a tradition going back well over 100 years. While pitchers may return to the dish in 2021, assuming there is a “normal” 2021 season, it is likely that the next CBA, which will take effect following the 2021 season, will implement a universal DH permanently.
Last August 24th, I took in my final National League game of the 2019 season, meaning that Cubs starter Jose Quintana may very well end up as the last pitcher I will ever see bat. Let’s take a look at the batting leaders among pitchers in all of the games that I have seen in person between 1984 and 2019.
Home Runs
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Carlos Zambrano | 4 |
| Kerry Wood | 3 |
| 10 tied with | 1 |
Hits
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Carlos Zambrano | 24 |
| Kerry Wood | 10 |
| Jason Marquis | 9 |
| Mark Prior | 9 |
| Ted Lilly | 8 |
Runs
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Carlos Zambrano | 11 |
| Jason Marquis | 6 |
| Kerry Wood | 4 |
| Mark Prior | 3 |
| Matt Clement | 3 |
| Sean Green | 3 |
RBI
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Carlos Zambrano | 13 |
| Kerry Wood | 8 |
| Jason Marquis
|
4 |
| Ted Lilly | 4 |
| 5 tied with | 3 |
Doubles
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Carlos Zambrano | 5 |
| Matt Clement | 3 |
| Jon Lieber | 3 |
| Jason Marquis | 2 |
| Mark Prior | 2 |
Triples
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Carlos Zambrano | 1 |
| Tim Lincecum | 1 |
| Juan Cruz | 1 |
Batting Average (> 5 AB)
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Wade Miller | 0.444 |
| Woody Williams | 0.364 |
| Shawn Estes | 0.333 |
| Travis Wood | 0.333 |
| Madison Bumgarner | 0.333 |
| Jason Schmidt | 0.333 |
Stolen Bases
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Clay Hensley | 1 |
| Brandon Backe | 1 |
| Jon Huber | 1 |
| Kip Wells | 1 |
| Greg Maddux | 1 |