Phelps pitched well in the Mile High air of Colorado, but most of the attention was focused upon where he batted in the lineup. (Photo: AP)
No one can accuse Joe Girardi of lacking creativity when it comes to filling out his lineup card. The Yankees haveused so many different batting orders this season, Girardi seems to be testing the law of permutations. However, last night, the Bronx Bombers’ skipper did more than just stretch the limit of his 25-man roster…he set it all the way back to 1957.
By batting David Phelps in the eighth slot, Girardi became only the fourth A.L. manager since the advent of the designated hitter to fill out a lineup with his pitcher batting higher than ninth. Although the tactic is not uncommon in the National League, and was put to particular use by Tony LaRussa, who hit his pitcher eighth in 355 games between 2007 and 2011, the sight of an American League hurler batting in front of a position player was a startling occurrence. Just ask Austin Romine.
A.L. Starting Pitchers Batting Higher than Ninth, Since 1973
Note: Sonnanstine batted third because of a lineup card error.
Source: Baseball-reference.com
Girardi’s lineup was not only unique in the context of the American League, but on a pinstriped scale, it was historical. The last time the Yankees had a pitcher bat eighth or higher, Don Larsen leapfrogged Bobby Richardson in a game against the White Sox on August 28, 1957. Unlike last night, however, no one probably batted an eye lash when Stengel revealed his batting order. That season, Larsen’s OPS+ of 81 dwarfed Richardson’s rate of 58, so there was good reason to promote him in the lineup.
