You might be surprised. Before the DH came into effect the use of the bullpen and keeping pitchers off the bases to conserve energy and protect them was a regular action.
But there were some reasonably good hitters in history from the circle. Some included:
Shohei Ohtani: While largely serving as a Designated Hitter and full-time outfielder due to two-way rules, his offensive power is historically unmatched, hitting 44 home runs in 2021 and 54 in 2024 to win MVP awards.
Wes Ferrell: Widely regarded as the best true hitting pitcher, he batted a career .280 with 38 home runs and 372 RBIs across 15 seasons with the Indians and Red Sox.
Babe Ruth: Before hitting 714 career home runs as an outfielder, he was an elite pitcher for the Red Sox, occasionally pinch-hitting and blasting a few home runs.
Bob Gibson: One of the most dominant pitchers in history, Gibson was equally dangerous with the bat, posting a career .206 average, 24 home runs, and a spectacular .303 batting average during his MVP season in 1968.
Carlos Zambrano: The ultimate modern “Big Z” mashed 24 career home runs—the most by a National League pitcher since the DH was introduced in 1973—and batted .238 lifetime.
Don Drysdale: An intimidating Hall of Fame pitcher who hit 29 career home runs, including two spectacular seasons where he slugged seven home runs each in 1958 and 1965.
Micah Owings: Known for extraordinary raw power, Owings boasted an impressive .283 career average with 9 home runs and 35 RBIs in just 205 at-bats.
Warren Spahn was an excellent hitter for a pitcher. Across his 21-year Hall of Fame career, he batted .194 but regularly contributed with power. He collected 363 career hits, including 57 doubles, 6 triples, and 35 home runs, making him one of the greatest power-hitting pitchers in baseball history. His 35 home runs tie him for fourth-all time among Major League pitchers, trailing only Wes Ferrell, Bob Lemon, and Red Ruffing. In 1958, he won the Silver Slugger equivalent for his prowess at the plate, and he was often used as a pinch-hitter by his managers.
Don’t cut them short. Pitchers were used many times to create situation with their ability to sacrifice bunt putting runners in scoring position for leadoff hitters making managers react to it.
I was at Candlestick the day they landed and it was announced. That kind of overshadowed Perry’s achievement. But he was an innovator also. He created the puff ball and the country sinker.
And the next to the last switch hitter in the MLB American League that won an MVP was pitcher Vida Blue who won the American League MVP with the Oakland Athletics in 1971. Great trivia question.
wy69
I listed several Dodger pitchers who were decent to great. Sutcliffe was actually used a pinch hitter at times (.278 batting average, some power). A also acknowledged bunting to advance the runners.
My point was that if you were a good enough pitcher, you would be kept in the game even if you were a poor hitter. Yes, there were bullpens. Many teams just didn’t have the expansive bullpens for today. You had an occasional Rich Gossage or Bruce Sutter as a fireman or for the save, but many were just not just great. Many were Dick Tidrows or Lance Rautzhans who would be for long relief when the starter was getting shelled, or in case of an injury. Yes, in a close game a decent pitcher might be pulled for a pinch-hitter, but often not if there was no one decent in the bullpen or the arms were tired.
Since Ruth came up as a pitcher, they didn’t coach his hitting, they didn’t discourage him from swinging hard.