I see Madison Bumgarner made four pinch-hit appearences this season.

[malthaussen]

I love a pitcher who can hit. It's one reason to prefer the NL over the AL.

Hell, he had a better OPS than the starting shortstop.

-- Mal

[Cartoonist]

1. Too risky

By having him bat and run the bases, you increase the chances of injury. Not worth it.

I also prefer the NL over the AL, and have no problem with pitchers batting. I just don't think it wise to push your luck.

[malthaussen]

2. You must have hated it when Greg Maddux stole bases, then.

I guess coming from an era before free agency, I have a more cavalier attitude towards risking injury. I like a guy who comes to play ball.

Hell, Michael Vick threw a block for his running back in the last game. It almost makes up for him torturing dogs.

-- Mal

[kairos12]

3. Don Drysdale hit 9 home runs in 1965. 29 in his career.

[malthaussen]

4. I'm hip

A few pitchers have had years where they did some pinch-hitting. There was this fellow named Ruth, I believe...
Smokey Joe Wood also pinch-hit. As Bill James pointed out, if baseball was 90% pitching (or whatever), they never would have been moved to the outfield. Although Wood hurt his arm.

-- Mal

[kairos12]

5. Hoyt Wilhelm, at the age of 28, hit a home run in his first at bat. He never hit another one.

[malthaussen]

6. Then there's the old chestnut about Gaylord Perry.

Supposedly said he'd hit a home run when a man landed on the moon. So he hit one on 20 July 1969.

Great tale, but of course completely apocryphal.

-- Mal

[kairos12]

7. I have heard that story. Met Gaylord Perry at a spring training game two years ago

I should have asked him.

[demtenjeep]

8. I detest Madison Bumgarner

and buster posey to boot