The entire concept of pitchers hitting for themselves (aside from Shohei Ohtani) was supposed to end when Major League Baseball instituted the universal DH last season. But the Oakland Athletics are just so bad that the Rangers felt the need to briefly bring back pitchers hitting.
It’s been a rough week — and season, really — for the A’s. We learned this week that the A’s are set to relocate to Las Vegas, and on the field, they’re looking like one of the worst teams in MLB history.
Saturday’s game against the Rangers was especially sad with Oakland needing just three innings to trail by nine runs. That score eventually ballooned to 18-3 in the eighth inning. Now, the Rangers didn’t expect to keep scoring when they subbed for Nathaniel Lowe with DH Brad Miller — thus losing the DH. But the A’s were simply helpless out there with position player Jace Peterson on the mound.
That gave Josh Sborz the most unexpected at-bat of his career.
What do we have here 🤣
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | 📺: BSSW pic.twitter.com/2t0Pl5Azt5— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) April 23, 2023
When Sborz stepped to the plate in the eighth inning, it was clear that he had zero intention of swinging. Now, this probably would have been more intimidating for Sborz had he needed to face an actual pitcher, but Peterson is a position player. Sborz saw four pitches — all under 60 mph — and struck out looking.
The best part had to be the bullpen’s reaction. They were so unimpressed and heckled him the whole time.
Rangers bullpen is not satisfied 😂 pic.twitter.com/yR5hlajeSB
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 23, 2023
MLB fans also had thoughts about the whole scene. As funny as it was from the Rangers’ perspective, it had to be so embarrassing for the A’s.
This was how Twitter reacted
Greatest part of my night was watching relief pitcher Josh Sborz take an AB for Nate Lowe💀 https://t.co/84CgTgH0KT
— STINK BOMB (13-7) (@txrangerstime) April 23, 2023
The rest of the pen emphatically booing Sborz for getting an at bat against a position player and not swinging at anything.. I love you. pic.twitter.com/lpr0O1Wamx
— 🌊🏳️🌈⚾🏳️⚧️💙 (@inplay_runs) April 23, 2023
>nooooo pitcher you're not allowed to swing, even off a position player!
just start calling forfeits if nothing matters, this is astronomically stupid baseballhttps://t.co/bxGYcewXVG— Anime Jimmie Rustler (4X CRUNCHATIZED 🥄🥄🥄🥄) (@JamesRustle) April 23, 2023
Forget what’s happening in Texas. We should be talking more about the clown show and debacle John Fischer and @DaveKaval have happening in Oakland with the @Athletics .
— BN (@blng_02) April 23, 2023
This is what happens when the owner wants to justify relocation.
— 🐐Tim Blonskee🐘 (@Timblonskee) April 23, 2023
If I were Kotsay, I would quit this thankless job. Not fair to put him in this position. Not fair to other employees, and players. Sickening all around.
— Billie Jo Gentry (@equiss_folly) April 23, 2023
The A’s put in a position player to pitch and the Rangers put in reliever Josh Sborz to hit
This game is pure comedy 😂
— Jett Beachum (@JetthroTV) April 23, 2023
make room shohei bc there’s another two way player named josh sborz
— tony beasley superfan (@tonysuperfan27) April 23, 2023
Sborz did not take a swing, and got thoroughly heckled by the bullpen for his efforts. https://t.co/oSwdJSRZ4A
— Tyler (@SigersontheNord) April 23, 2023
