Pitchers in the Field
Five RBI Pitchers have played another defensive position during their careers on the Major League level.
Don Robinson
Date: September 30, 1984
Position: Left Field
Situation: Starting Player
Length of the Game: 9 Innings
Innings: 5
Putouts: 2
Errors: 0
Batting: 1 for 3, RBI and K
Details: On the final game of the season, Robinson started in left field for the Pirates.
Jesse Orosco
Date: July 22, 1986
Position: Right Field
Situation: Extra-Inning Substitution
Length of the Game: 14 Innings
Innings: 3
Putouts: 1
Errors: 0
Batting: 0 for 1, R and BB
Details: Orosco started the 10th inning (pitching). That inning, Eric Davis stole 3rd base, prompting a brawl that led to the ejections of him, Ray Knight (3B), Kevin Mitchell (RF), and a coach. After one batter, Gary Carter went from C to 3B; Ed Hearn came into the game to play C; Orosco went to RF; and Roger McDowell came in to pitch. After another stint on the mound, Orosco made his second appearance in right field in the 13th inning.
Roger McDowell
Date: July 22, 1986
Position: Right Field and Left Field
Situation: Extra-Inning Substitution
Length of the Game: 14 Innings
Innings: 1 1/3
Putouts: 0
Errors: 0
Batting: 0 for 2, K
Details: After McDowell replaced Orosco (see Orosco's Details above), the two switched positions in the 11th inning. Orosco was pitching again, and McDowell played right field. In the 12th inning, McDowell was moved to left field. In the 13th inning, McDowell switched with Orosco again.
Todd Worrell
June 24, 1986
Position: Right Field
Situation: Late-Inning Substitution
Length of the Game: 9 Innings
Innings: 2/3
Putouts: 0
Errors: 0
Batting: N/A
Details: A right-handed pitcher, Worrell came in with 2 outs in the 9th inning to pitch to right-handed hitter Mike Diaz. After Diaz singled, Worrell was replaced by left-hander Ken Dayley to pitch to left-handed hitter Barry Bonds. Andy Van Slyke was moved from right field to left field; Vince Coleman was taken out of the game (RF); and Worrell was moved to right field, with little fear of Bonds going opposite field (he struck out to end the game).
June 27, 1986
Position: Right Field
Situation: Extra-Inning Substitution
Length of the Game: 17 Innings
Innings: 2/3
Putouts: 0
Errors: 0
Batting: N/A
Details: Worrell pitched 2 innings, and replaced right-fielder Ced Landrum when Ricky Horton came in to pitch.
September 22, 1987
Position: Right Field
Length of the Game: 9 Innings
Situation: Late-Inning Substitution
Innings: 2/3
Putouts: 0
Errors: 0
Batting: N/A
Details: Worrell came into the game with 2 out in the 8th inning. After giving up a lead-off homer to Mike Schmidt in the 9th inning, Ken Dayley came in to pitch. Worrell replaced John Morris in right field, and after Dayley recorded an out, Worrell was back on the mound. Worrell retired the next two batters, and he earned his 32nd save of the season.
April 11, 1989
Position: Right Field
Situation: Late-Inning Substitution
Length of the Game: 9 Innings
Innings: 2/3
Putouts: 0
Errors: 0
Batting: N/A
Details: Worrell came into the game with one out in the 8th. He retired Ryne Sandberg and walked Andre Dawson before Jose DeLeon came in to pitch. Pedro Guerrero left the game (1B); Tom Brunansky went from right field to first base; and Worrell went to right field.
Worrell's Totals
Games: 4
Career Innings: 2 2/3
Career Putouts: 0
Career Errors: 0
Fernando Valenzuela
August 17, 1982
Position: Right Field and Left Field
Situation: Extra-Inning Substitution
Length of the Game: 21 Innings
Innings: 1
Putouts: 1
Errors: 0
Batting: 0 for 1
Details: After Ron Cey and Tommy Lasorda were ejected with the Dodgers hitting in the 20th inning, the Dodgers put Valenzuela in right, and moved Pedro Guerrero from right field to third base (where Cey had been). After Valenzuela caught a fly ball hit by Larry Bowa, he was moved to left field, and Dusty Baker was moved to right. Valenzuela was later replaced by fellow pitcher Bob Welch.
June 3, 1989
Position: First Base
Situation: Extra-Inning Substitution
Length of the Game: 22 Innings
Innings: 1 2/3
Putouts: 2
Errors: 0
Batting: N/A
Details: Valenzuela started the 21st inning at first base, and Eddie Murray was moved from first to third. Valenzuela caught a pop-up and fielded a throw from the shortstop.
Valenzuela's Totals
Games: 2
Career Innings: 2 2/3
Career Putouts: 2
Career Errors: 0