change positions?

Question

in mlb, has there been anybody who successfully made the transition from position player to pitcher? or from pitcher to position player? that would be cool, no? thanks!

Answer 1

Ruth, as numerously mentioned.

O'Doul and Smokey Joe Wood both had to re-invent themselves from pitchers to outfielders (in Wood's case, due to an arm injury).

Wakefield and Troy Percival both switched from position to pitching in the minors.

Ankiel.

Stan Musial gave up pitching in the minors.

There are other, lesser-known names; and if we reach waaay back to the 19th century, there was a lot more of this sort of thing, or actual double-players, pitch some days, field others.

Answer 2

Babe Ruth was probably a Hall of Famer had he stuck with pitching or playing the OF. Rick Ankiel has been pretty successful in his switch - he was a good pitcher til he lost the ability to find the plate. He's a very good OF and hitter.

Most other position changes have been done in the minors. There are many examples of minor leaguers switching positions successfully and making it to the majors. But its very rare to make it to the majors as a pitcher and a position player.

Answer 3

Babe Ruth went from a left handed pitcher, one of the best left handed pitchers in MLB history, to an outfielder, and I think most would agree he was successful. I do not know if a position player ever went onto become a pitcher though.

Answer 4

Babe Ruth was an outstanding pitcher. He was involved in a famous game where he came in the first inning after pitcher was ejected. He then retired the next 26 batters. He was involved in a even more famous trade leading to the "curse of the Bambino" legend. Look at Rich Ankiel of the Cardinals. He had problems finding home plate for a while and now he is in the midst of a comeback as an outfielder.

Answer 5

Currently on the St. Louis Cardinals there is Rick Ankiel who made the transition from P to OF. Lefty O'Doul became an All Star OF after making the transition from P to OF and of course the most famous would be Babe Ruth. There have been others as well.

Answer 6

Babe Ruth went from pitcher to position player. A smashing success in both cases. A fair number of other players have.

Answer 7

Babe Ruth, Rick Ankiel, Tim Wakefield, Troy Percival, quite a few pitchers end up doing it.

One that sticks out in my mind is Brandon Backe, that's all they seem to talk about when he pitches.

Answer 8

Babe Ruth!!!! He was a pitcher and then went played in the outfield... Babe Ruth was the hr king and is probably still is if they catch bonds on steriods. Ruth just ate hotdogs and beer, thats how he got so heavy. Babe didnt do drugs or anything because he was to good and to much of a not headcase, (he wasnt a headcase.)

Answer 9

Brandon Backe went from short stop to pitcher. Chris Sampson went from 2nd base (?) to pitcher

Answer 10

daknight:

You have it backwards. Ruth walked the leadoff batter and was ejected for arguing strikes. Ernie Shore came in and retired everyone the rest of the way.