There is once again talk about the National League giving in to the tide of history and adding the designated hitter rule. If it does, it will mean an end to that delightful but rare event, the home run by a pitcher.
On Thursday night, Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants jacked a 415-foot shot to left field off Clayton Kershaw.
The Dodgers’ ace and 3-time Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw had never given up a home run to a pitcher. Kershaw said he threw Bumgarner a fastball down the middle. “Should have had a little more respect for him, I guess,” he said after the game.