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Switch Pitcher Classics

Articles and videos featuring Ambidextrous Pitchers


Tony Mullan - "The Count"
Mullane was baseball's first ambidextrous pitcher and a talented ballplayer who played every position in the field except catcher. Mullane was also a switch hitter.

July 18, 1882: "Louisville hurler Tony Mullane pitches both right- and lefthanded in an AA game against Baltimore, the first time the feat is performed in the major leagues. Starting in the 4th inning he pitches lefthanded whenever Baltimore's lefty hitters are at bat. In addition to continuing to pitch righthanded to righthanded hitters. It works until the 9th when, with 2 outs, Charlie Householder hits his only HR of the year to beat Mullane 9-8."

The Count won 30 games in five consecutive seasons. He threw a No-hitter on September 11, 1882. His teammates included Cy Young and John McGraw.




Greg Harris
Harris switch pitched for one inning in the Major Leagues back in 1995

For one inning, left was right
The Majors' last switch pitcher enjoys his place in history
By Doug Miller, MLB.com 09/26/2005

Greg A. Harris is a busy man these days.
He gives private pitching lessons and baseball clinics in Orange County, Calif., he's raising an 11-year-old son, he helps out with Little League coaching and he's involved with Connie Mack and Mickey Mantle teams, too.

But there's one subject he'll always find time to talk about, and when he does, it seems like he can put off his hectic life for hours.

The tempo of his voice quickens with excitement until he's overflowing with vivid minute-by-minute details of his most precious memory.

Ten years ago today, Harris pitched in the Major Leagues -- with both hands.

The natural right-hander is the last one to do it and the only one in baseball's modern era. He was the first to accomplish the feat in over 100 years.

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Pat Venditte
Venditte was a switch pitcher at Creighton University, and now pitches in the minor leagues


Pat Venditte Biography - Creighton University Bluejays


2008 (Senior): Venditte is arguably college baseball’s most unique player as the only ambidextrous pitcher in the country ... He returned to Creighton for his senior season after being drafted in the 45th round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees... He was a near consensus preseason All-American, including first-team by Rivals.com ... Finished with a 9-3 record, a 3.34 ERA and seven saves in a team-high 86.1 innings
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Throwing Batters Curves Before Throwing a Pitch

By Alan Schwarz, The New York Times, April 6, 2007

The pitch was nothing remarkable: Pat Venditte, Creighton University’s temporarily right-handed pitcher, threw a fastball past a Northern Iowa batter for a called strike three. It was his next windup that evinced this young pitcher’s uniqueness and, perhaps, professional future.

As his teammates whipped the ball around the infield, Venditte smoothly, unthinkingly, removed his custom glove from his left hand and slipped it on his right. Moments later he leaned back, threw a strike left-handed to the next batter, and finished the side in order.

Venditte is believed to be the only ambidextrous pitcher in N.C.A.A. Division I college baseball, the ultimate relief specialist. A junior, he throws left-handed to lefties and right-handed to righties, and effectively. 




Uploaded on May 22, 2007
Creighton's Pat Venditte is listed as a right handed pitcher...and a left handed pitcher.


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