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By Keith Sutton* All batters think it's great to hit a home run; they think it's even better to hit one as a pinch hitter; and when the bases are loaded and you're called off the bench to deliver - and you do! There's a lot of wallop there, for the fans, for the team, and for the player. There's hardly anything to match the emotional impact of a pinch grand slam! In major league history, 121 pinch slams have been hit, 70 in the National League and 51 in the American. No one connected in the 19th century, when pinch hitting was at a minimum. Ironically, the first pinch clam was hit by a pitcher for the Cardinals, Mike O'Neill, in a game against the Braves on June 3, 1902. Mike, born in Ireland, was one of the four O'Neill brothers, the best known of whom was Steve. Another brother, John, caught that June 3 game for the Cards. The first AL pinch slam did not originate until September 24, 1916, when Marty Kavanagh, a utility infielder for Cleveland, hit a hard liner off Hubert "Dutch" Leonard of the Red Sox. The ball rolled through a hole in the fence and every one scored. Who hits pinch homers with the bases loaded? Not necessarily the great sluggers. Of the top dozen career home run hitters, only Jimmie Foxx and Harmon Killebrew have connected as emergency batters with the bags full. Double-X did it twice, once in each league. Roy Sievers also blasted one in each league. Other two-timers were Vic Wertz, Bill Skowron, and Rich Reese in the AL, and Ed Bailey and Willie McCovey in the Senior Circuit. But the King of Swingers was "Round" Ron Northey, who went "Bingo" on three occasions while with the Cards and Cubs. It is also noted that no less than five pitchers have come through with pinch, slams. In addition to O'Neill, there was Schoolboy Rowe, Early Wynn, Zeb Eaton, and Tommy Byrne. If pitchers can hit pinch slams, what kind of hurlers can serve them up? Looking over the list, it appears that relief hurlers are the chief victims. This seems only logical, considering that most substitute batters appear late in the game. Only five pitchers were burned twice: Don Mossi, Steve Ridzik, Dave Koslo, Satchel Paige, and Hank Borowy, who was bombed once in each league. Early Wynn was the only player to serve one up (to Bob Cerv in 1961), and to hit one himself (off Jack Gorsica in 1946). Pinch homers with the bases loaded have been hit in each inning from the 2nd to the 12th. Twenty-eight were hit in the 9th, and 26 in the 7th. Even team managers got into the act. At least two of them looked over their bench and decided that they could do better themselves. Rogers Hornsby connected for his Cubs in 1931, and Phil Cavarretta also hit one for the Cubs shortly after he took over the helm in 1951. Cavvy belted it off Robin Roberts when the latter was at the height of his career. On May 26, 1929, Pat Crawford of the Giants and Lester Bell of the Braves both connected in the same game, the only time that has been accomplished. The full list of players who have hit pinch hone runs with the bases filled is carried below. (* indicates 2nd game)
| Date | of | Game | N.L. Pinch Hitter | Opposing Pitcher | Inn. |
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| | June | 3 | 1902 | Mike O'Neill, StL. | C. Pittinger, Bos. | 9 | | Aug. | 12 | 1902 | Pat Moran, Bos. | John Menefee, Chi. | *4 | | Sep. | 30 | 1910 | Beals Becker, N.Y. | Cliff Curtis, Bos. | 5 | | Apr. | 15 | 1926 | Cy Williams, Phil. | Larry Benton, Bos. | 9 | | May | 1 | 1927 | Chick Tolson, Chi. | Ray Kremer, Pitt. | 7 | | June | 2 | 1928 | Wattie Holm, StL. | Lea Sweetland, Phil. | 8 | | July | 13 | 1928 | Jack Cummings, N.Y. | Will Sherdel, StL. | 5 | | May | 26 | 1929 | Pat Crawford, N.Y. | Harry Seibold, Bos. | 6 | | May | 26 | 1929 | Leater Bell, Bos. | Carl Hubbell, N.Y. | 7 | | June | 30 | 1931 | Ethan Allen, N.Y. | Pat Malone, Chi. | 2 | | Sep. | 13 | 1931 | Rog.Hornsby, Chi. | B. Cunningham, Bos. | 11 | | May | 14 | 1933 | Mack Wilson, Bkn. | Ad Liaka, Phil. | 9 | | July | 23 | 1933 | Harvey Hendrick,Chi | .Phil Collins, Phil. | 10 | | Oct. | 1 | 1933 | Wally Berger, Bos. | R. Grabowaki, Phil. | 7 | | June | 17 | 1934 | Lefty O'Doul, N.Y. | Heinie Meine, Pitt. | 6 | | July | 5 | 1934 | Joe Moore, N.Y. | Ray Benge, Bkn. | 6 | | July | 31 | 1934 | Ernie Lombardi,Cin. | R. Birkofer, Pitt. | *6 | | May | 23 | 1936 | Sammy Byrd, Cin. | Cy Blanton, Pitt. | 9 | | Sep. | 19 | 1936 | Rip Collins, StL. | Curt Davis, Chi. | 7 | | Apr. | 30 | 1937 | Jimmy Ripple, N.Y. | Max Butcher, Bkn. | 4 | | Apr. | 30 | 1938 | Harl Maggert, Bos. | Claude Passeau, Phil | 7 | | July | 27 | 1939 | Don Padgett, StL. | Manny Salvo, N.Y. | 7 | | Aug. | 4 | 1941 | Ken O'Dea, N.Y. | Hugh Casey, Blat | 6 | | Sep. | 24 | 1941 | Bob Scheffing, Chi. | Howie Kriat, StL. | 9 | | June | 21 | 1942 | D.Dallessandro,Chi. | Bill McGee, N.Y. | 9 | | May | 2 | 1943 | Lynwood Rowe, Phil. | Al Javery, Bos. | *6 | | Aug. | 20 | 1944 | James Russell, Pitt. | Art Herring, Bkn. | 7 | | May | 18 | 1945 | Jimmy Foxx, Phil. | Ken Burkhart, StL. | 8 | | June | 2 | 1945 | Vince DiNaggio,Phil. | Al Gerheauser, Pitt. | 6 | | July | 6 | 1945 | Elmer Nieman, Boa. | Xav Rescigno,Pitt. | 7 | | June | 6 | 1946 | Frank Secory, Chi. | Dave Koslo, N.Y. | 12 | | Sep. | 3 | 1947 | Ron Northey, StL. | Doyle Lade, Chi. | 9 | | Sep. | 9 | 1947 | Cliff Aberson, Chi. | Vic Lombardi, Bkn. | 8 | | May | 30 | 1948 | Ron Northey, StL. | H. Singleton,Pitt. | 6 | | Sep. | 11 | 1948 | Ralph Kiner, Pitt. | Hank Borowy, Chi. | 8 | | Apr. | 27 | 1949 | Pete Milne, N.Y. | Pat McGlothin, Bkn. | 7 | | June | 30 | 1950 | Sibby Sisti, Bos. | Dave Koslo, N.Y. | 9 | | July | 8 | 1950 | Jack Phillips,Pitt. | H. Brecheen, StL. | 9 | | Sep. | 18 | 1950 | Ron Northey, Chi. | Dan Bsnkhead, Bkn. | 6 | | July | 29 | 1951 | P.Cavarretts, Chi. | R. Roberts, Phil. | *7 | | July | 20 | 1952 | Andy Seminick, Cin. | Curt Simmons, Phil. | 5 | | June | 25 | 1953 | Bobby Hofinan, N.Y. | Ernie White, StL. | 7 | | July | 18 | 1953 | Wayne Belardi, Bkn. | C. Chambers, Pitt. | 4 | | Aug. | 14 | 1953 | Bill Serena, Chi. | Dave Jolly, Mil. | 6 | | Sep. | 11 | 1954 | Whitey Lockman, N.Y. | Howie Judson, Cin. | 7 | | July | 30 | 1957 | Jos Cunningham,StL. | Ruben Gomez, N.Y. | 9 | | Aug. | 27 | 1958 | Pete Whisenant, Cin. | Fred Kipp, L.A. | 5 | | Apr. | 18 | 1959 | Gens Freese, Phil. | Mike Cuellar, Cin. | 3 | | May | 12 | 1959 | Earl Averill Jr.Chi. | Lou Burdette, Mil. | 9 | | May | 26 | 1959 | Leon Wagnsr, S.F. | Art Fowler, L.A. | 9 | | Aug. | 13 | 1959 | George Crows, StL. | Roger Craig, L.A. | 9 | | June | 12 | 1960 | Will NcCovsy, S.F. | Carl Willey, Mil. | 7 | | June | 26 | 1962 | Ed Bailey, S.F. | Joey Jay, Cin. | 7 | | Sep. | 9 | 1962 | Carl Sswatski, StL. | Jim Brosnan, Cin. | 9 | | Apr. | 10 | 1963 | Ed Bailey, S.F. | Don NcMahon, Hou. | 8 | | May | 26 | 1963 | Roy Sievers, Phil. | Bill Henry, Cin. | 8 | | Sep. | 11 | 1963 | Gordy Coleman, Cin. | Ron Fiche, Mil. | 4 | | Sep. | 10 | 1965 | Will McCovey, S.F. | T. Abernathy, Chi. | 6 | | July | 8 | 1966 | Jim Davenport, S.F. | Ted Davidson, Cin. | 6 | | Aug. | 17 | 1966 | Hawk Taylor, N.Y. | Bob Veale, Pitt. | 4 | | June | 11 | 1967 | Don Pavletich, Cin. | Dan Schneider, Hou. | *9 | | July | 31 | 1967 | Jack Hiatt, S.F. | ElRoy Face, Pitt. | 8 | | Sep. | 16 | 1967 | Rick Joseph, Phil. | R. Perranoski, L.A. | 11 | | May | 2 | 1969 | Al Ferraro, S.D. | George Culver, Cin. | 4 | | June | 8 | 1969 | Jerry May, Pitt. | Paul Doyle, Atl. | 7 | | July | 2 | 1969 | Vic Davalillo, StL. | Ron Taylor, N.Y. | 8 | | May | 18 | 1970 | Bob Bailey, Mont. | Cal Koonce, N.Y. | 9 | | July | 19 | 1970 | James Hutto, Phil. | Jim Brewer, L.A. | 9 | | July | 22 | 1970 | Tom Haller, L.A. | C. Raymond, Mont. | 7 | | Aug. | 11 | 1970 | Carl Taylor. StL. | Ron Herbel, S.D. | 9 |
| Date | of | Game | A.L. Pinch Hitter | Opposing Pitcher | Inn. | | Sep. | 24 | 1916 | Marty Kavanagh ,Clev. | Hub. Leonard, Bos. | 5 | | June | 6 | 1923 | Joe Connolly, Clev. | Geo. Murray. Bos. | 4 | | May | 30 | 1930 | Al Simmons, Phil. | Gar.Braxton, Wash. | 4 | | July | 13 | 1931 | Dib Williams, Phil. | Bobby Burke, Wash. | 8 | | Sep. | 21 | 1931 | Jimmy Foxx, Phil. | Tom Bridges, Det. | *7 | | Sep. | 10 | 1934 | Cliff Bolton, Wash. | H. Klaerner, Chi. | 7 | | May | 14 | 1939 | Rudy York, Det. | Howard Milla, St.L | *9 | | July | 3 | 1940 | Taft Wright, Chi. | Lynn Nelson, Det. | 9 | | May | 28 | 1941 | Geo. Selkirk, N.Y. | Sid Hudson, Wash. | 8 | | May | 31 | 1944 | Al Unser, Det. | Walt Dubiel N.Y. | 9 | | June | 11 | 1944 | Gene Moore, StL. | Joe Hewing, Clev. | *7 | | July | 15 | 1945 | Zeb Eaton, Det. | Hank Borowy, N.Y. | 4 | | Sep. | 15 | 1946 | Early Wynn, Wash. | Jack Gorsica, Det. | 5 | | May | 4 | 1947 | Jack Wallaesa, Chi. | R. Christopher,Phil | . 8 | | Aug. | 27 | 1950 | Clyde Voilmer, Bos. | Al Benton, Clev. | 7 | | Sep. | 17 | 1950 | Johnny Mopp, N.Y. | Ad Widmar, StL. | 9 | | Aug. | 2 | 1951 | Chas.Maxwell, Bos. | Satchel Paige, StL. | *7 | | July | 26 | 1952 | Steve Souchock,Det. | Bobby Mogue, N.Y. | 11 | | Sep. | 3 | 1952 | Don Kolloway, Det. | Lou Brisaie, Clev. | 6 | | Sep. | 7 | 1952 | Johnny Mize, N.Y. | W. Maateraon, Wash. | 6 | | Apr. | 25 | 1953 | Dick Kryhoski, N.Y. | Harry Dorish, Chi. | 7 | | May | 16 | 1953 | Tommy Byrne, Chi. | E. Blackwell, N.Y. | 9 | | June | 7 | 1953 | Yogi Berra, N.Y. | Satchel Paige, StL. | 7 | | July | 6 | 1953 | Mickey Mantle, N.Y. | P. Panowich, Phil. | 6 | | Aug. | 9 | 1953 | Gus Zernial, Phil. | Ray Herbert, Det. | *6 | | Aug. | 17 | 1954 | Bill Skowron, N.Y. | Al Sima, Phil. | 9 | | July | 12 | 1956 | Hank Bauer, N.Y. | Don Mossi, Clev. | 6 | | May | 2 | 1957 | Walter Dropo, Chi. | Chuck Stobbs, Wash. | 6 | | July | 14 | 1957 | Bill Skowron, N.Y. | Jim Wilson, Chi. | *9 | | Apr. | 21 | 1958 | Prank House, K.C. | Steve Ridzik, Clev. | 8 | | Aug. | 14 | 1958 | Vic Wertz, Bos. | Ryne Duren, N.Y. | 8 | | May | 10 | 1960 | Rip Repulski, Bos. | D. Ferrarese, Chi. | 8 | | Aug. | 25 | 1960 | Vic Wertz, Bos. | Don Newcombe, Clev. | 4 | | Sep. | 24 | 1960 | M. Throneberry,K.C. | Bob Bruce, Det. | 6 | | May | 28 | 1961 | Robert Cerv, N.Y. | Early Wynn. Chi. | 6 | | June | 21 | 1961 | Roy Siewera, Chi. | Don Mossi, Clev. | 4 | | July | 4 | 1961 | Julio Becquer,Minn. | War. Hacker, Chi. | 9 | | July | 7 | 1961 | Jim Gentile, Balt. | Ed Rakow, K.C. | 6 | | July | 9 | 1961 | Sherm Lollar, Clev. | Prank Punk. Clev. | 9 | | July | 21 | 1961 | John Blanchard,N.Y. | M. Pornielea, Bos. | 9 | | Aug. | 12 | 1961 | Gene Green, Wash. | Luis Arroyo, N.Y. | 7 | | July | 17 | 1963 | Geo. Alusik, K.C. | Hal Kolatad, Bos. | 8 | | May | 16 | 1965 | P. Whitfield, Clev. | Steve Ridzik, Wash. | *6 | | Apr. | 17 | 1966 | Bob Chance, Wash. | Julio Navarro, Det. | 7 | | Aug. | 3 | 1969 | Rich Reese, Minn. | Dave McNally, Balt. | 7 | | June | 7 | 1970 | Rich Reese, Minn. | Dick Bosman, Wash. | 6 | | June | 30 | 1970 | Warren Renick,Minn. | Bob Johnson, K.C. | 6 | | Sep. | 5 | 1970 | Reg. Jackson, Oak. | T. Burgmeier, K.C. | 8 | | July | 25 | 1971 | Bobby Murcer, N.Y. | Lew Krausse, Mil. | *2 | | Aug. | 31 | 1971 | Don Mincher, Wash. | R. Hambright, N.Y. | 6 | | Sep. | 3 | 1971 | H. Killebrew, Minn. | Jim Grant, Oak. | 6 | *Assisted by Raymond Gonzalez and Leonard Gettelson
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Dream Hit - Pinch Grand Slam
