Jerry Lynch: Legendary Pinch-Hitter De Luxe for Pittsburgh Pirates
The 1965 Big Time Baseball publication highlights Jerry Lynch, renowned as the premier pinch-hitter in Major League Baseball. Despite his capability, Lynch rarely played full-time, finding greater value coming off the bench for critical plays. In his career, he set the record for the most pinch-hit home runs at 16. Known for his powerful hitting, Lynch never consistently held a regular fielding position over his eleven seasons in the majors. Fred Hutchinson, former manager of the Cincinnati Redlegs, praised Lynch for his standout performance as a pinch-hitter, considering him unsurpassed in that role. Beginning in 1954 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Lynch saw limited action, but his potent hitting did not go unnoticed. His peak came in 1960 when his efforts propelled the Reds to the National League pennant.