Jerry Lynch
Encyclopedia
Gerald Thomas Lynch is a former professional baseball player who played outfield
in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1954–56 and 1963–66) and Cincinnati Reds
(1957–63). He was born in Munger, Michigan.
He helped the Reds win the 1961 National League Pennant. On September 26, 1961 Lynch propelled the Cincinnati Reds into the World Series with his two run home run off of Cubs pitcher Bob Anderson scoring Vada Pinson
. He finished 22nd in voting for the 1961 NL MVP for playing in 96 games and having 181 At Bats, 33 Runs, 57 Hits, 13 Doubles, 2 Triples, 13 Home Runs, 50 RBI, 2 Stolen Bases, 27 Walks, .315 Batting Average, .407 On-base percentage, .624 Slugging Percentage, 113 Total Bases, 1 Sacrifice Hit and 6 Intentional Walks. He was hitless
in three at bats and four plate appearances during the 1961 World Series
.
Lynch is considered one of baseball best pinch hitter
s of all time. He smacked out 116 hits during his career, which ranks him 10th in the all time list. Lynch is third on the all time pinch hit home run list (he was first when he retired) with 18 with 5 of those coming during the 1961 season while driving in 25 runs.
Lynch was once quoted as saying, "The good pinch-hitter is the guy who can relax enough to get the pitch he can hit. You almost always do get one pitch to hit every time you bat. So you have to have the patience to wait. And then you've got to be able to handle the pitch when you get it."
In 13 seasons he played in 1,184 Games and had 2,879 At Bats, 364 Runs, 798 Hits, 123 Doubles, 34 Triples, 115 Home Runs, 470 RBI, 12 Stolen Bases, 224 Walks, .277 Batting Average, .329 On-base percentage, .463 Slugging Percentage, 1,334 Total Bases, 8 Sacrifice Hits, 25 Sacrifice Flies and 29 Intentional Walks.
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1954–56 and 1963–66) and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1957–63). He was born in Munger, Michigan.
He helped the Reds win the 1961 National League Pennant. On September 26, 1961 Lynch propelled the Cincinnati Reds into the World Series with his two run home run off of Cubs pitcher Bob Anderson scoring Vada Pinson
Vada Pinson
Vada Edward Pinson, Jr. was an American center fielder and coach in Major League Baseball. Pinson played in the major leagues for 18 years, from 1958 through 1975, and his greatest seasons were with the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds, for whom he played from 1958–68.Pinson combined power, speed and...
. He finished 22nd in voting for the 1961 NL MVP for playing in 96 games and having 181 At Bats, 33 Runs, 57 Hits, 13 Doubles, 2 Triples, 13 Home Runs, 50 RBI, 2 Stolen Bases, 27 Walks, .315 Batting Average, .407 On-base percentage, .624 Slugging Percentage, 113 Total Bases, 1 Sacrifice Hit and 6 Intentional Walks. He was hitless
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in three at bats and four plate appearances during the 1961 World Series
1961 World Series
The 1961 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds , with the Yankees winning in five games to earn their 19th championship in 39 seasons. This World Series was surrounded by Cold War political puns pitting the "Reds" against the "Yanks"...
.
Lynch is considered one of baseball best pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
s of all time. He smacked out 116 hits during his career, which ranks him 10th in the all time list. Lynch is third on the all time pinch hit home run list (he was first when he retired) with 18 with 5 of those coming during the 1961 season while driving in 25 runs.
Lynch was once quoted as saying, "The good pinch-hitter is the guy who can relax enough to get the pitch he can hit. You almost always do get one pitch to hit every time you bat. So you have to have the patience to wait. And then you've got to be able to handle the pitch when you get it."
In 13 seasons he played in 1,184 Games and had 2,879 At Bats, 364 Runs, 798 Hits, 123 Doubles, 34 Triples, 115 Home Runs, 470 RBI, 12 Stolen Bases, 224 Walks, .277 Batting Average, .329 On-base percentage, .463 Slugging Percentage, 1,334 Total Bases, 8 Sacrifice Hits, 25 Sacrifice Flies and 29 Intentional Walks.