Babe Ruth playing two positions

[Iamnobody]

Hey all,

Is there a reason why Babe Ruth can't pitch once a week and then the other days play in the outfield?

[magnet]

You'd have to give him some extra off days, since it will get him dog-tired pretty quickly, but I'm pretty sure you can do it.

[DrArbiter]

Originally Posted by magnet

You'd have to give him some extra off days, since it will get him dog-tired pretty quickly, but I'm pretty sure you can do it.

And, this is probably appropriate. Even the Babe himself thought so. During 1918, the only season in which he was truly a two-way player, he said, "I don't think a man can pitch in his regular turn, and play every other game at some other position, and keep that pace year after year. I can do it this season all right, and not feel it, for I am young and strong and don't mind the work. But I wouldn't guarantee to do it for many seasons." (Quoted in SABR's Deadball Stars of the American League.)