It has been done before, but not often. Maybe a couple of times in the last 100 years. The trick is not just being able to have the velocity with both arms, but to be able to grip, release and execute different pitches. That boggles my mind.
The other ones I've seen had very different deliveries. Like, one side was more traditional and the other side was more side arm or something. Venditte's set up and delivery from both sides is remarkably similar. Even great consistent switch hitters like Chipper Jones and Eddie Murray had different swings and approaches from each side. (I don't know about Murray, but Chipper used a different bat color, wood and weight.) I remember watching Tim Raines, and he was like two different hitters, completely. So, yeah, to pitch effectively, and similarly from both sides is just crazy rare. In that clip, the graphic called it the "Venditte Rule," but that rule has been in place for several years now, so I thought it was odd. It turns out that they officially made it a rule in 2008 . . . when Venditte was drafted by the Yankees and pitched in a minor league game that caused confusion. So, it's also a cool story that he's stuck with it. (He was originally drafted by the Yankees the previous year, but wanted to finish college at Creighton and develop his arm more.) The story that prompted the creation of the rule:
After going 2-4 in his first game with the M's, Trumbo has been on base exactly 0 times since, giving him (Including his 2 games with AZ before the trade) an .049 OBP for the month. At least they finally sat Rodney's dumb ass down.
Five days after switch-pitcher Pat Venditte made his big league debut with Oakland, Cleveland drafted Judson University's Ryan Perez, who has been clocked at over 90 mph from both sides -- lefty and righty. He was 4-1 with a 4.61 ERA this season as a junior at the NAIA school and was the Cape Cod League All-Star game MVP last summer.
Whoa! Stealing signs is one thing, but hacking the opponent's network? http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...uis-cardinals-hacking-houston-astros-database
Interesting... Female French teen makes MLB history Shortstop Mayeux is first woman added to international registration list http://m.mlb.com/news/article/132044338/melissa-mayeux-france-eligible-sign-mlb
So apparently ESPN has gotten access to notebooks that prove that Pete Rose did bet on baseball while playing, something he has denied all these years... Would appear he is not getting anywhere near the hall of fame. http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_...ines-shows-pete-rose-bet-baseball-player-1986
When McGwire cheated it wasn't explicitly against the rules. MLB has always had a tough stance against gambling.
There is a very good reason for it. In every major league clubhouse there is a sign that basically says "If you bet on baseball, you are banished.For life." These signs have been there for generations. Up until recently that was the only action that could get you a lifetime ban. Also, as best I remember, what McGwire was using wasn't officially a banned substance when he was using it.
As a fellow Cincinnatian, did you try to get tickets for the game of the home run derby? I was looking for a while, and just couldn't justify dropping that kind of money for it.
For the 2000 All-star game in Atlanta, I applied and was selected to work as a volunteer. It was one of the most awesome things I have ever done. I could write pages and pages on what all fun and cool stuff I got to do. But the tldr version, is that I helped MLB reps, meet many, many legends of the game, got to help carry the big ol' American flag on the field for the game (bought game tix as a season ticket holder), got free tickets to the home run derby, got a bunch of cool logo gear free, and had blast with the insane guys and girls that wear the mascot costumes. So, when the game comes to your town, if you like baseball, do whatever you can to sign up as a volunteer. (It's probably way too late for Cincinnati.)
Can someone explain to me what the fuck is up with the Blue Jays? They've got the second best run differential in the majors yet are below .500. It's been this way all year.
Back to Back All Star Game MVP for Mike Trout. I am not an Angels fan, but the way that young man performs on the big stage makes me want to see him in a World Series.
I get to watch him quite regularly since we get the feed to Angels games with our cable. It's quite a treat. Unless they're playing the Mariners. Then I fucking hate him.
I can't watch anything with the sound on when Joe Buck is calling the game. So, they may have said this last night and I didn't realize it . . . as far as wacky baseballs stats go, Trout's All-star record is unique. He has hit for the rare cycle: '12 = 1B '13 = 2B '14 = 3B '15 = HR In order, and each in his first at bat. That's pretty cool. I guess in 2016, he'll need a BB or HBP.