[Mick]

#1 John Montgomery Ward
#2 Kid Gleason

I would put a big asterisks on both Gleason and Ward. All of Ward's pitching occurred when overhand and sidearm pitching was not allowed.  In fact, that's why they're called "pitchers", because during the first 10 years of MLB, they "pitched" the ball underhand, like pitching horseshoes.  Until 1884, there was nothing very unique about pitchers in the field. Ward STOPPED pitching when they changed the rule.

Gleason was a bit like Lefty O'Doul.  He started as a full time legitimate pitcher from age 21 through age 27, then arm injuries stopped him in his tracks. He transitioned to full-time batter at the age of 28, did all right.  .261 career hitter. But I wouldn't say he was a fielder who sometimes pitched.

Here's a trivia question for you: of the 841 position players who have pitched, how many have a career 0.00 ERA?  

And secondly, which position player has pitched the most innings with a 0.00 career ERA? Hint: he's a Hall of Famer.

[Mick]

#1 John Montgomery Ward
#2 Kid Gleason

I would put a big asterisks on both Gleason and Ward. All of Ward's pitching occurred when overhand and sidearm pitching was not allowed.  In fact, that's why they're called "pitchers", because during the first 10 years of MLB, they "pitched" the ball underhand, like pitching horseshoes.  Until 1884, there was nothing very unique about pitchers in the field. Ward STOPPED pitching when they changed the rule.

Gleason was a bit like Lefty O'Doul.  He started as a full time legitimate pitcher from age 21 through age 27, then arm injuries stopped him in his tracks. He transitioned to full-time batter at the age of 28, did all right.  .261 career hitter. But I wouldn't say he was a fielder who sometimes pitched.

Here's a trivia question for you: of the 841 position players who have pitched, how many have a career 0.00 ERA?  

And secondly, which position player has pitched the most innings with a 0.00 career ERA? Hint: he's a Hall of Famer.