Who Was the Last Pitcher to Hit a Walk-Off Home Run?
From SABR member Mark Simon at ESPN.com on April 25:
According to the “SABR Baseball List & Record Book,” there have been 32 walk-off home runs hit by pitchers (including one apiece in the American Association and Federal League). Today, we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the most recent occurrence.
On April 25, 1986, the Padres and Giants met at Jack Murphy Stadiumi n San Diego. When Padres relief pitcher Craig Lefferts arrived at the ballpark, he did so with a 102-degree fever. He wasn’t supposed to pitch that night. The plan was to spend the game in the trainer’s room.
But by the seventh inning, Padres manager Steve Boros sent word to Lefferts to get his spikes on, just in case. It turned out Lefferts would be needed that night, after Hall of Fame closer Rich Gossage blew a two-run lead in the ninth.
Read the full article here: http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/9583/crazy-86-last-pitcher-to-hit-walk-off-hr
Originally published: April 25, 2011. Last Updated: April 25, 2011.