For the first time since a single inning in 1995, and only the second time in the modern era of baseball, a major-league pitcher will throw with both arms. The Oakland Athletics reportedly recalled switch-pitching reliever Pat Venditte from Triple-A on Friday. His eventual major-league debut will be worth watching and come with much fanfare.
But this isn’t a Bill Veeck-style promotional stunt. Pitching with both the right and left arms may be a novelty, but for Venditte it’s no gimmick. He’s the real deal and worthy of the big-league promotion.
Venditte, 29, was drafted by the New York Yankees, twice.