Who are some major league players other than babe ruth who pitched and played a position and had sucess?

Answer 1

One player who had some success at doing both was Smoky Joe Wood. Wood started off with the Red Sox as a pitcher in 1908, and became a dominant starter by 1911. In 1912 he was the best pitcher in baseball going 34-5 1.91 with 258 strikeouts. It was likely that he was able to throw a fastball above 100 mph. He suffered an arm injury during the 1913 season, and was dropped by the Red Sox after the 1915 season. His carrer pitching record was 116-57 2.03.
Since Wood could hit, and the fact that his best friend was Tris Speaker, the superstar Red Sox center fielder who was traded to Cleveland after the 1915 season, Wood resurfaced as an outfielder with Cleveland in 1918. That year he went .296, 5 hr, 66 rbi as the regular right fielder, and at times the 2nd baseman. From 1919-1921 he was a platoon right fielder with Elmer Smith. In 1921 he went .366, 4hr, 60rbi in 209 plate appearences. In his final year of 1922 he was a regular going .297, 8hr, 92rbi.
Ironicly the Red Sox aquired and put on the roster Babe Ruth to replace Wood in their pitching rotation.
Also the superstar of New York City baseball in the 1880's, John Montgomery Ward starred as both a pitcher and hitter. Ward started off as pitcher with the Providence Grays in 1878. He went to the New York Giants in 1883. In his pitching carrer he went 164-102 2.10. From 1878 through 1883 he primarily pitched, and played some outfield on off days. In 1884 he became a full-time shortstop. In his carrer he hit .275 with 2,104 hits, 1,408 runs, and 867 rbi's. His average after he stopped pitching was .285. He played until 1894.

Answer 2

Bob Lemon came up as a 3rd baseman and had limited success before he became a HOF pitcher. Dick Hall was an outfielder for the Pirates one yr before he became a decent reliever in the 50s and 60s. Red Lucas was a decent pitcher during the 30s and was one of the games better pinch hitters during the period. Jimmy Foxx actually pitched a few games and didnt do badly , and in the 1880's where pitchers often played a position when they werent pitching, a pitcher named Guy Heckler won 26 games for Louisville and won the leagues batting championship .Babe Ruth is the only one who had great success as both.

Answer 3

Comparable to Ruth, no one.

But just recently we had Brooks Kieschnick, who pitched some, hit some, played some outfield. Teams really should look for this sort of versatility more often.

Answer 4

I think I read somewhere once that Stan Musial started as a pitcher early in his career, but by the time he reached the majors he had been converted to an everyday player.

Answer 5

Tim Wakefield was an infielder in the Pirates organization before becoming a pitcher. He was just throwing the knuckleball around one day in pre-game warmups and his manager noticed. He now throws the best knuckleball in the league.

Answer 6

I don't believe at the major league level. However, John Olerud was apparently a very good pitcher in college.

Answer 7

Mel Queen

Answer 8

Rick Ankiel from the Cardinals is trying to make a come back as an outfielder.

Answer 9

Roy Hobbs

Answer 10

Lou Gerihg!!!