Stand and Deliver: A History of Pinch-Hitting

by Paul Votano

Overview

From "Princeton Charlie" Reilly, the first pinch-hitter ever, to today's pinnacle in pinch-hitting, Lenny Harris, this book enumerates the exploits and records of the best in this craft through the 2001 season. Among the statistics are many anecdotes of their performances.

The decade-by-decade study of pinch-hitting begins in 1892 when it first became permissible to substitute players in major league baseball for reasons other than injury. In addition to focusing on the substitute batters who were the leaders in each era, there are chapters devoted to the characteristics of an effective pinch-hitter, preparation for the job, the impact of the designated hitter, and how a player becomes a pinch-hitter in the first place. The considerable accomplishments and strengths of these players, who for too long have not been given the recognition they deserve, are presented in detail.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786415885
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	06/02/2003
Pages:	213
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.43(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Paul Votano is also the author of Tony Lazzeri (2005) and Late and Close: A History of Relief Pitching (2002). He lives in LaGrangeville, New York where he operates his own public relations agency.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction    

The Makeup of an Effective Pinch-Hitter    
1876–1899: The Pinch-Hitting Pioneers    
1900–1909: Pinch-Hitting Begins Developing in Earnest    
1910–1919: Moose McCormick, the Best Yet Off the Bench    
1920–1929: Cy Williams Starts Setting Home Run Records    
1930–1939: Red Lucas, Johnny Frederick and Bing Miller Excel    
1940–1949: None Better Than a Couple of Joes Named Cronin and Schultz    
1950–1959: One Extreme—Johnny Mize—to Another—Eddie Gaedel    
1960–1969: Smoky Burgess and Jerry Lynch Make It an Art Form    
1970–1979: Manny Mota, Jose Morales and the Designated Hitter Emerge    
1980–1989: Del Unser, Cliff Johnson and Greg Gross Dominate    
1990–2002: Lenny Harris, John Vander Wal and Dave Hansen Carry On    
The Impact of the Designated Hitter    

Appendix: All-Time Pinch-Hitting Records    
Notes    
Bibliography    
Index    

Editorial Reviews

significant detail...a nice choice”—Booklist.

From the Publisher

significant detail...a nice choice

Booklist