Today’s post is spurred the recent spate of position players taking the mound – plus today’s 70th anniversary of, perhaps, one of the most surprising pitching appearances ever by a position player (Hall of Fame slugger Jimmie “The Beast” Foxx).
A lot already has been written this year about position players taking the mound. The appearance that grabbed BBRT’s attention took place on Sunday August 16, when we saw a position player (Oakland 1B Ike Davis) pitching to a pitcher (Baltimore reliever Jason Garcia) – and walking him. What made this especially unique is that it took place in the DH-embracing American League, in which pitchers seldom bat. It was, by the way, Davis’ second pitching appearance of the season (totaling two scoreless innings). Davis, of course, may come by his penchant for taking the mound naturally. He is the son of former MLB reliever Ron Davis – who notched 130 saves in 11 big league seasons. Still, this has been a big year for position players on the mound.
On June 16th and 17th alone , six position players took the mound – and two teams brought multiple position players on in relief. The players: June 16 – Rays’ 2B Jake Elmore, Rays’ utility infielder Nick Franklin and Phillies’ 1B Jeff Francoeur; June 17 – Indians’ utility player Ryan Raburn, Indians’ OF David Murphy and Padres’ SS Alexi Amarista.
Still, position players taking a turn on the hill is nothing new (except maybe in this year’s numbers). Such renowned hitters as Ty Cobb, Ted Williams and Stan Musial all recorded brief stints on the mound (1, 1, and 2 career pitching appearances, respectively). This brings me, finally, to today’s topic – a more unusual position player pitching appearance – by one of MLB’s most prolific sluggers.
JIMMIE FOXX STARTS ON THE HILL – AUGUST 19, 1945
On August 16, 1945, Philadelphia Phillies’ 37-year-old first baseman Jimmie Foxx – who had led his league in HRs four times, RBI three times, batting average twice and won a Triple Crown (1933) – not only took the mound for the Phillies, he started the game. It was the second game of a double header against the Reds) and Foxx went 6 2/3 innings for the win, giving up just four hits and two earned runs, while walking four and striking out five. Foxx, in his final MLB season, took the mound nine times (starting twice) that year – going 1-0, with a 1.59 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. Add in a previous (1939) one-inning pitching appearance for the Red Sox and the Hall of Fame slugger retired with a 1.52 ERA. Foxx, known as “Double X” or “The Beast,” for his hitting prowess, apparently could be a bit of a beast on the mound as well. Foxx earned his weay into the BB HOF with a career .325 average (20 seasons), 534 home runs, 1,922 RBI and, of course, that flashy 1.52 ERA.
