Being a MLB pitcher is hard enough when using just one hand. On this day in 2015, Oakland Athletics reliever Pat Venditte became the first switch pitcher in the 21st century.
During the 1880's, it was not unheard of for a pitcher to be a switch pitcher. It was still a rarity, but in the 19th century, Tony Mullane, Elton Chamberlain, Larry Corcoran, and George Wheeler all threw with both arms during games. By the time the 1900's came about, only one major leaguer, Greg Harris, did so during a game. Moxie Manuel was known to be an ambidextrous pitcher, but only did so in the minors.
Eventually, the switch pitcher just faded away, a relic of a bygone time. That is, until this day in 2015, when Pat Venditte made his debut with the Oakland Athletics. Coming in to start the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox, Venditte began the frame as a lefty. After getting Brock Holt to ground out, he switched to his right hand, allowing a Hanley Ramirez single, but was able to get Mike Napoli to ground into a double play. Venditte came back out for the eighth, and threw a perfect inning to cap off his debut.
Venditte had a bit of notoriety even before this outing. His ability as an ambidextrous pitcher had been known due to a viral video from one of his first outings in the minors. On June 19, 2008, while pitching for the Staten Island Yankees, Venditte faced switch hitter Ralph Henriquez. The two changed sides of the plate, and pitching arms, for seven minutes before the umpires forced Henriquez to pick a side. Venditte ended up striking him out.
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Unfortunately, that unique ability to pitch effectively with both arms has not led to a major league career. Venditte, looked upon as a novelty, spent eight years in the minors before making his debut. Since then, he has bounced around, going from the Athletics to being signed by the Blue Jays after being placed on waivers. Venditte was then traded to the Mariners later in 2016, and was then sent to the Phillies on March 11, 2017. He has pitched well in AAA for Lehigh Valley, but has yet to return to the majors this season.
Overall, Venditte has pitched 50.2 innings over 41 games in the majors. He has posted a 4.97 ERA and a 1.362 WHiP, while showing to be far more effective as a lefty. When facing left handed batters, Venditte has allowed a .164/.219/.373 batting line, striking out 23 batters against five walks. Facing righties, he has allowed a .238/.347/.425 batting line, striking out 13 while issuing 12 walks.
On this day in 2015, the switch pitcher made its first appearance in the 21st century when Pat Venditte made his major league debut. Hopefully, he will get a chance to stick in the majors.
