These Pitchers Could Swing It — and Sometimes, They Really Did

Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz

Back when pitchers often handled the bat with skill instead of primarily bunting, baseball had a different rhythm. These weren’t just hurlers who could manage a single—these were genuine two-way threats who made opposing managers deliberate whether to pitch around them or challenge their bats.

Babe Ruth: The Sultan of Swat Who Started on the Mound

Before the Bambino became baseball’s home run king, he was a dominant left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, posting a 94-46 record with a 2.28 ERA. Ruth’s transformation from ace pitcher to slugging outfielder remains the most consequential position change in sports history. His 714 career home runs overshadowed his pitching brilliance, but old-timers remember when that sweet swing was just a bonus to his devastating curveball that made American League hitters look foolish.

Wes Ferrell: The Forgotten Slugger Who Could Strike You Out

The Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox right-hander holds the all-time record for home runs by a player as a pitcher with 37 (he hit 38 career home runs, with one coming as a pinch-hitter), including a single-season mark of nine in 1931. Ferrell batted .280 lifetime—better than many everyday players of his era—while winning 193 games on the mound. His brother Rick caught many of his games, making them the most successful battery duo in family baseball history, though Wes was clearly the superior hitter.

Red Ruffing: Yankee Pinstripes and Clutch Two-Way Magic

The Hall of Fame right-hander won 273 games while batting .269 with 36 home runs, making him a legitimate threat in the Yankees’ Murderers’ Row lineups of the 1930s. Ruffing’s October heroics included both dominant pitching and clutch hitting in seven World Series appearances. Missing four toes on his left foot from a childhood mining accident, he developed a unique batting stance that generated surprising power for a pitcher who stood 6’1″ and weighed just 205 pounds.

Don Drysdale: Dodger Blue and Dangerous at the Plate

Big D terrorized National League hitters with his sidearm fastball while batting .186 with 29 career home runs—impressive numbers for a pitcher in an era when offense was at a premium. The 6’6″ Dodgers legend hit seven home runs in 1965, including a grand slam against the Cubs that helped propel Los Angeles to the World Series. Drysdale’s intimidating presence extended beyond the mound; opposing pitchers knew he could turn around any mistake pitch and send it into the left field pavilion at Dodger Stadium.

Bob Lemon: Cleveland’s Ace Who Swung Like a Third Baseman

The Indians Hall of Famer actually began his career as a third baseman before becoming one of baseball’s premier pitchers, which explains his natural hitting ability that produced a .232 average and 37 home runs. Lemon’s 207 career wins included dominant performances in Cleveland’s 1948 World Series championship, but he was equally dangerous swinging the bat in clutch situations. His transition from position player to ace pitcher gave him an understanding of hitting that most mound specialists never developed.

Warren Spahn: Lefty Legend with a Wicked Right-Handed Swing

The winningest left-handed pitcher in baseball history with 363 victories also swung from the right side of the plate, batting .194 with 35 home runs over his 21-year career. Spahn’s patient approach at the plate mirrored his methodical pitching style, working counts and looking for his pitch to drive. The Milwaukee Braves legend hit six home runs in 1958, helping himself win games with both his arm and his bat during an era when pitchers were expected to contribute offensively throughout the National League.

Early Wynn: The Grumpy Gunslinger Who Could Hit

Early Wynn’s intimidating presence extended beyond his willingness to knock down hitters—he could turn around and hit one out if you challenged him at the plate. The Hall of Fame right-hander batted .214 with 17 home runs while winning 300 games across 23 seasons with Washington, Cleveland, and Chicago. His competitive fire burned equally hot whether he was firing fastballs past sluggers or digging in against opposing pitchers who dared throw him anything over the plate.

Mudcat Grant: The Singing Pitcher with World Series Pop

Jim “Mudcat” Grant, a right-handed pitcher, became the first African American pitcher to win a World Series game in the American League, but his bat was equally impressive during Minnesota’s 1965 championship run. He hit six home runs that season while posting a 21-7 record, including a crucial home run in Game 6 of the World Series against the Dodgers. Grant’s smooth swing matched his velvet voice—he recorded several albums during his playing career—making him one of baseball’s most multi-talented performers.

Rick Rhoden: The 1980s Pitcher Who Should’ve Been a DH

The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees right-hander was such a dangerous hitter that he occasionally pinch-hit when not pitching, batting .238 with nine home runs in his career. Rhoden’s sweet swing earned him Silver Slugger Awards in 1984 and 1985, making him the only pitcher to win multiple Silver Sluggers for hitting excellence. His ability to drive in runs made him invaluable during the designated hitter-less National League years, when every at-bat from the pitcher’s spot mattered in close games.

Madison Bumgarner: Modern Giant with Old-School Power

Madison Bumgarner’s October heroics included both dominant pitching and clutch hitting during San Francisco’s three World Series championships, including two home runs in the 2014 postseason. The left-hander batted .177 with 19 career home runs, but his timing was impeccable—his grand slam against the Diamondbacks in 2017 showcased the kind of power that made him a throwback to baseball’s two-way era. Bumgarner’s country strength and natural hitting ability reminded fans what pitchers used to bring to the plate before specialization took over the game.

Shohei Ohtani: The Japanese Phenom Rewriting Baseball’s Rulebook

The modern Babe Ruth has revolutionized baseball with his unprecedented two-way excellence, combining elite pitching with MVP-caliber hitting. Ohtani’s 2021 MVP season included 46 home runs and a 3.18 ERA across 23 starts, proving that elite two-way play remains possible in today’s specialized game. His unique combination of 100-mph fastballs and 450-foot home runs has created a new template for baseball excellence that harks back to the sport’s earliest days when the best athletes played both ways.