Stand and Deliver

Book excerpt: From "Princeton Charlie" Reilly, the first pinch-hitter ever, to today's pinnacle in pinch-hitting, Lenny Harris, this book enumerates the exploits and records of the best in this craft through the 2001 season. Among the statistics are many anecdotes of their performances. The decade-by-decade study of pinch-hitting begins in 1892 when it first became permissible to substitute players in major league baseball for reasons other than injury. In addition to focusing on the substitute batters who were the leaders in each era, there are chapters devoted to the characteristics of an effective pinch-hitter, preparation for the job, the impact of the designated hitter, and how a player becomes a pinch-hitter in the first place. The considerable accomplishments and strengths of these players, who for too long have not been given the recognition they deserve, are presented in detail.