The Dream Hit: A Pinch Grand Slam

All batters think it’s great to hit a home run. They think it’s even better to hit one as a pinch hitter. And when the bases are loaded and you’re called off the bench to deliver — and you do! There’s hardly anything to match the emotional impact of a pinch grand slam! Here’s a list of all the pinch grand-slams in major league history.All batters think it’s great to hit a home run; they think it’s even better to hit one as a pinch hitter; and when the bases are loaded and you’re called off the bench to deliver – and you do! There’s a lot of wallop there, for the fans, for the team, and for the player. There’s hardly anything to match the emotional impact of a pinch grand slam!

In major league history, 121 pinch slams have been hit, 70 in the National League and 51 in the American. No one connected in the 19th century, when pinch hitting was at a minimum. Ironically, the first pinch clam was hit by a pitcher for the Cardinals, Mike O’Neill, in a game against the Braves on June 3, 1902. Mike, born in Ireland, was one of the four O’Neill brothers, the best known of whom was Steve. Another brother, John, caught that June 3 game for the Cards. The first AL pinch slam did not originate until September 24, 1916, when Marty Kavanagh, a utility infielder for Cleveland, hit a hard liner off Hubert “Dutch” Leonard of the Red Sox. The ball rolled through a hole in the fence and every one scored.

Who hits pinch homers with the bases loaded? Not necessarily the great sluggers. Of the top dozen career home run hitters, only Jimmie Foxx and Harmon Killebrew have connected as emergency batters with the bags full. Double-X did it twice, once in each league. Roy Sievers also blasted one in each league. Other two-timers were Vic Wertz, Bill Skowron, and Rich Reese in the AL, and Ed Bailey and Willie McCovey in the Senior Circuit. But the King of Swingers was “Round” Ron Northey, who went “Bingo” on three occasions while with the Cards and Cubs.

It is also noted that no less than five pitchers have come through with pinch, slams. In addition to O’Neill, there was Schoolboy Rowe, Early Wynn, Zeb Eaton, and Tommy Byrne. If pitchers can hit pinch slams, what kind of hurlers can serve them up? Looking over the list, it appears that relief hurlers are the chief victims. This seems only logical, considering that most substitute batters appear late in the game. Only five pitchers were burned twice: Don Mossi, Steve Ridzik, Dave Koslo, Satchel Paige, and Hank Borowy, who was bombed once in each league. Early Wynn was the only player to serve one up (to Bob Cerv in 1961), and to hit one himself (off Jack Gorsica in 1946).

Pinch homers with the bases loaded have been hit in each inning from the 2nd to the 12th. Twenty-eight were hit in the 9th, and 26 in the 7th. Even team managers got into the act. At least two of them looked over their bench and decided that they could do better themselves. Rogers Hornsby connected for his Cubs in 1931, and Phil Cavarretta also hit one for the Cubs shortly after he took over the helm in 1951. Cavvy belted it off Robin Roberts when the latter was at the height of his career. On May 26, 1929, Pat Crawford of the Giants and Lester Bell of the Braves both connected in the same game, the only time that has been accomplished.

The full list of players who have hit pinch hone runs with the bases filled is carried below. (* indicates 2nd game)

 

National League pinch-grand slams, through 1971

Date	of	Game	N.L. Pinch Hitter	Opposing Pitcher	Inn.
June	3	1902	Mike O’Neill, StL.	C. Pittinger, Bos.	9
Aug.	12	1902	Pat Moran, Bos.	John Menefee, Chi.	*4
Sep.	30	1910	Beals Becker, N.Y.	Cliff Curtis, Bos.	5
Apr.	15	1926	Cy Williams, Phil.	Larry Benton, Bos.	9
May	1	1927	Chick Tolson, Chi.	Ray Kremer, Pitt.	7
June	2	1928	Wattie Holm, StL.	Lea Sweetland, Phil.	8
July	13	1928	Jack Cummings, N.Y.	Willie Sherdel, StL.	5
May	26	1929	Pat Crawford, N.Y.	Harry Seibold, Bos.	6
May	26	1929	Lester Bell, Bos.	Carl Hubbell, N.Y.	7
June	30	1931	Ethan Allen, N.Y.	Pat Malone, Chi.	2
Sep.	13	1931	Rogers Hornsby, Chi.	B. Cunningham, Bos.	11
May	14	1933	Hack Wilson, Bkn.	Ad Liska, Phil.	9
July	23	1933	Harvey Hendrick,Chi	Phil Collins, Phil.	10
Oct.	1	1933	Wally Berger, Bos.	R. Grabowski, Phil.	7
June	17	1934	Lefty O’Doul, N.Y.	Heinie Meine, Pitt.	6
July	5	1934	Joe Moore, N.Y.	Ray Benge, Bkn.	6
July	31	1934	Ernie Lombardi, Cin.	R. Birkofer, Pitt.	*6
May	23	1936	Sammy Byrd, Cin.	Cy Blanton, Pitt.	9
Sep.	19	1936	Rip Collins, StL.	Curt Davis, Chi.	7
Apr.	30	1937	Jimmy Ripple, N.Y.	Max Butcher, Bkn.	4
Apr.	30	1938	Harl Maggert, Bos.	Claude Passeau, Phil	7
July	27	1939	Don Padgett, StL.	Manny Salvo, N.Y.	7
Aug.	4	1941	Ken O’Dea, N.Y.	Hugh Casey, Blat	6
Sep.	24	1941	Bob Scheffing, Chi.	Howie Krist, StL.	9
June	21	1942	D.Dallessandro, Chi.	Bill McGee, N.Y.	9
May	2	1943	Lynwood Rowe, Phil.	Al Javery, Bos.	*6
Aug.	20	1944	James Russell, Pitt.	Art Herring, Bkn.	7
May	18	1945	Jimmie Foxx, Phil.	Ken Burkhart, StL.	8
June	2	1945	Vince DiMaggio, Phil.	Al Gerheauser, Pitt.	6
July	6	1945	Elmer Nieman, Boa.	Xav Rescigno, Pitt.	7
June	6	1946	Frank Secory, Chi.	Dave Koslo, N.Y.	12
Sep.	3	1947	Ron Northey, StL.	Doyle Lade, Chi.	9
Sep.	9	1947	Cliff Aberson, Chi.	Vic Lombardi, Bkn.	8
May	30	1948	Ron Northey, StL.	H. Singleton,Pitt.	6
Sep.	11	1948	Ralph Kiner, Pitt.	Hank Borowy, Chi.	8
Apr.	27	1949	Pete Milne, N.Y.	Pat McGlothin, Bkn.	7
June	30	1950	Sibby Sisti, Bos.	Dave Koslo, N.Y.	9
July	8	1950	Jack Phillips,Pitt.	H. Brecheen, StL.	9
Sep.	18	1950	Ron Northey, Chi.	Dan Bankhead, Bkn.	6
July	29	1951	P.Cavarretta, Chi.	R. Roberts, Phil.	*7
July	20	1952	Andy Seminick, Cin.	Curt Simmons, Phil.	5
June	25	1953	Bobby Hofman, N.Y.	Ernie White, StL.	7
July	18	1953	Wayne Belardi, Bkn.	C. Chambers, Pitt.	4
Aug.	14	1953	Bill Serena, Chi.	Dave Jolly, Mil.	6
Sep.	11	1954	Whitey Lockman, N.Y.	Howie Judson, Cin.	7
July	30	1957	Jos Cunningham,StL.	Ruben Gomez, N.Y.	9
Aug.	27	1958	Pete Whisenant, Cin.	Fred Kipp, L.A.	5
Apr.	18	1959	Gens Freese, Phil.	Mike Cuellar, Cin.	3
May	12	1959	Earl Averill Jr.Chi.	Lou Burdette, Mil.	9
May	26	1959	Leon Wagner, S.F.	Art Fowler, L.A.	9
Aug.	13	1959	George Crows, StL.	Roger Craig, L.A.	9
June	12	1960	Willie McCovey, S.F.	Carl Willey, Mil.	7
June	26	1962	Ed Bailey, S.F.	Joey Jay, Cin.	7
Sep.	9	1962	Carl Sawatski, StL.	Jim Brosnan, Cin.	9
Apr.	10	1963	Ed Bailey, S.F.	Don McMahon, Hou.	8
May	26	1963	Roy Sievers, Phil.	Bill Henry, Cin.	8
Sep.	11	1963	Gordy Coleman, Cin.	Ron Fiche, Mil.	4
Sep.	10	1965	Willie McCovey, S.F.	T. Abernathy, Chi.	6
July	8	1966	Jim Davenport, S.F.	Ted Davidson, Cin.	6
Aug.	17	1966	Hawk Taylor, N.Y.	Bob Veale, Pitt.	4
June	11	1967	Don Pavletich, Cin.	Dan Schneider, Hou.	*9
July	31	1967	Jack Hiatt, S.F.	Elroy Face, Pitt.	8
Sep.	16	1967	Rick Joseph, Phil.	R. Perranoski, L.A.	11
May	2	1969	Al Ferraro, S.D.	George Culver, Cin.	4
June	8	1969	Jerry May, Pitt.	Paul Doyle, Atl.	7
July	2	1969	Vic Davalillo, StL.	Ron Taylor, N.Y.	8
May	18	1970	Bob Bailey, Mont.	Cal Koonce, N.Y.	9
July	19	1970	Jim Hutto, Phil.	Jim Brewer, L.A.	9
July	22	1970	Tom Haller, L.A.	C. Raymond, Mont.	7
Aug.	11	1970	Carl Taylor. StL.	Ron Herbel, S.D.	9

 

American League pinch-grand slams, through 1971

Date	of	Game	A.L. Pinch Hitter	Opposing Pitcher	Inn.
Sep.	24	1916	Marty Kavanagh ,Clev.	Hub Leonard, Bos.	5
June	6	1923	Joe Connolly, Clev.	Geo. Murray. Bos.	4
May	30	1930	Al Simmons, Phil.	Gar. Braxton, Wash.	4
July	13	1931	Dib Williams, Phil.	Bobby Burke, Wash.	8
Sep.	21	1931	Jimmie Foxx, Phil.	Tom Bridges, Det.	*7
Sep.	10	1934	Cliff Bolton, Wash.	H. Klaerner, Chi.	7
May	14	1939	Rudy York, Det.	Howard Mills, St.L	*9
July	3	1940	Taft Wright, Chi.	Lynn Nelson, Det.	9
May	28	1941	Geo. Selkirk, N.Y.	Sid Hudson, Wash.	8
May	31	1944	Al Unser, Det.	Walt Dubiel N.Y.	9
June	11	1944	Gene Moore, StL.	Joe Hewing, Clev.	*7
July	15	1945	Zeb Eaton, Det.	Hank Borowy, N.Y.	4
Sep.	15	1946	Early Wynn, Wash.	Jack Gorsica, Det.	5
May	4	1947	Jack Wallaesa, Chi.	R. Christopher, Phil.	0.8
Aug.	27	1950	Clyde Vollmer, Bos.	Al Benton, Clev.	7
Sep.	17	1950	Johnny Mopp, N.Y.	Al Widmar, StL.	9
Aug.	2	1951	Chas.Maxwell, Bos.	Satchel Paige, StL.	*7
July	26	1952	Steve Souchock, Det.	Bobby Mogue, N.Y.	11
Sep.	3	1952	Don Kolloway, Det.	Lou Brissie, Clev.	6
Sep.	7	1952	Johnny Mize, N.Y.	W. Masterson, Wash.	6
Apr.	25	1953	Dick Kryhoski, N.Y.	Harry Dorish, Chi.	7
May	16	1953	Tommy Byrne, Chi.	E. Blackwell, N.Y.	9
June	7	1953	Yogi Berra, N.Y.	Satchel Paige, StL.	7
July	6	1953	Mickey Mantle, N.Y.	P. Panowich, Phil.	6
Aug.	9	1953	Gus Zernial, Phil.	Ray Herbert, Det.	*6
Aug.	17	1954	Bill Skowron, N.Y.	Al Sima, Phil.	9
July	12	1956	Hank Bauer, N.Y.	Don Mossi, Clev.	6
May	2	1957	Walt Dropo, Chi.	Chuck Stobbs, Wash.	6
July	14	1957	Bill Skowron, N.Y.	Jim Wilson, Chi.	*9
Apr.	21	1958	Prank House, K.C.	Steve Ridzik, Clev.	8
Aug.	14	1958	Vic Wertz, Bos.	Ryne Duren, N.Y.	8
May	10	1960	Rip Repulski, Bos.	D. Ferrarese, Chi.	8
Aug.	25	1960	Vic Wertz, Bos.	Don Newcombe, Clev.	4
Sep.	24	1960	M. Throneberry, K.C.	Bob Bruce, Det.	6
May	28	1961	Robert Cerv, N.Y.	Early Wynn. Chi.	6
June	21	1961	Roy Sievers, Chi.	Johnny Antonelli, Clev.	4
July	4	1961	Julio Becquer,Minn.	War. Hacker, Chi.	9
July	7	1961	Jim Gentile, Balt.	Ed Rakow, K.C.	6
July	9	1961	Sherm Lollar, Clev.	Frank Funk, Clev.	9
July	21	1961	John Blanchard,N.Y.	Mike Fornieles, Bos.	9
Aug.	12	1961	Gene Green, Wash.	Luis Arroyo, N.Y.	7
July	17	1963	Geo. Alusik, K.C.	Hal Kolstad, Bos.	8
May	16	1965	P. Whitfield, Clev.	Steve Ridzik, Wash.	*6
Apr.	17	1966	Bob Chance, Wash.	Julio Navarro, Det.	7
Aug.	3	1969	Rich Reese, Minn.	Dave McNally, Balt.	7
June	7	1970	Rich Reese, Minn.	Dick Bosman, Wash.	6
June	30	1970	Warren Renick, Minn.	Bob Johnson, K.C.	6
Sep.	5	1970	Reg. Jackson, Oak.	T. Burgmeier, K.C.	8
July	25	1971	Bobby Murcer, N.Y.	Lew Krausse, Mil.	*2
Aug.	31	1971	Don Mincher, Wash.	R. Hambright, N.Y.	6
Sep.	3	1971	H. Killebrew, Minn.	Jim Grant, Oak.	6

 

Assisted by Raymond Gonzalez and Leonard Gettelson.