PITTSBURGH — Madison Bumgarner has a chance to become an all-time home run hitter and surpass Babe Ruth’s total.
As a pitcher.
The Babe hit 714 home runs, and it’s common knowledge he opened his career as a pitcher. But he hit just 14 homers as a pitcher, and Bumgarner is three away.
The Giants’ left-hander, who hit his fifth homer of the season Friday, has 11 career homers, including nine in the past two seasons. It’s not a stretch to suggest Bumgarner, 26, could challenge a couple of records held by Wes Ferrell, who pitched from 1927 to 1941.