June 11 in Yankees History: Rick Rhoden of the New York Yankees becomes the first pitcher to start a game as a designated hitter (1988)

[adrotate banner=”32″] On June 11, 1988 Yankee skipper Billy Martin, due to a shortage of right-handed hitters to face Orioles’ southpaw Jeff Ballard, decides to use starting pitcher Rick Rhoden as his designated hitter, making the right-hander the first hurler ever to start at the position. In his

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Source: Historical record

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