When Major League Baseball instituted a series of rule changes for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, there was a lot to dislike about the new rules. The runner on second for extra innings (which is still a thing for now) and the expanded postseason drew most of the complaints.
But one surprisingly popular change was the universal DH.
Fans of both leagues finally got a chance to experience baseball with lineups entirely comprised of players who could, well … hit. Gone were the days of giving teams a free out with the pitcher hitting or forcing managers to strategize around that free out. The games were more exciting, and even National League traditionalists came around to the DH.
Yet, the AL/NL split on the designated hitter reverted back for the 2021 season, but all indications are that the universal DH is coming in 2022 with the new CBA. So, with that in mind, Astros relief pitcher Kendall Graveman became a trivia question during Sunday’s Game 5 of the World Series.
Kendall Graveman could be the last pitcher to hit before MLB implements the universal DH pic.twitter.com/mtLCpeSdtc
— Baseball Authority (@BsblAuthority) November 1, 2021
With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Graveman stepped to the plate to hit for himself. He was a career .000 hitter with four strikeouts in five at-bats. He added a fifth strikeout to his name as he likely became the last pitcher to hit before the universal DH becomes a thing. The teams will play under American League rules for Game 6 and 7 (if necessary).
HERE IT IS FOLKS THE FINAL FINAL FINAL PITCHER HITTING
CHEERS TO KENDALL GRAVEMAN FOR WORKING THE COUNT FULL pic.twitter.com/0BBHDq5BrS
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) November 1, 2021
And sure, Graveman won’t be the last pitcher to hit for himself ever. Shohei Ohtani hits even on days he pitches. Good-hitting pitchers like Zack Greinke, Max Fried or Madison Bumgarner might make some pinch-hit appearances in certain spots. Graveman, though, was the final pitcher to step to the plate under National League rules. His strikeout also served as a pretty solid reminder as to why the universal DH is needed — it just makes the game so much better to watch.
But congrats on the history, Kendall. That’s something to be proud of when it comes up on Jeopardy!
