For the first time since a single inning in 1995, and only the second time in the modern era of baseball, a major-league pitcher will throw with both arms. The Oakland Athletics reportedly recalled switch-pitching reliever Pat Venditte from Triple-A on Friday. His eventual major-league debut will be worth watching and come with much fanfare.
But this isn’t a Bill Veeck-style promotional stunt. Pitching with both the right and left arms may be a novelty, but for Venditte it’s no gimmick. He’s the real deal and worthy of the big-league promotion.
Venditte, 29, was drafted by the New York Yankees, twice. He was taken in the 45th round in 2007, didn’t sign instead opting to return to Creighton for his senior year, then taken again in the 20th round in 2008. He spent seven seasons in the Yankees’ minor-league system, then signed a minor-league deal with the Athletics this past offseason. With the Nashville Sounds, Venditte has appeared in 17 games, pitching 33 innings with a 1.36 ERA, 33 strikeouts to just 13 walks, and an opponent’s batting average of .167.
A switch-pitcher may be hard to imagine, or believe, but just take a look at Venditte in action. His unique sidearm delivery is almost identical from both sides, though perhaps he comes a little more over the top with his right arm: (continue reading)