Woodchucks Legends: Pat Venditte

Pat played with the Wausau Woodchucks in 2007. As the Woodchucks’ closer, Venditte’s performance was outstanding, finishing the season with a 4–1 record, 9 saves, a 1.76 ERA, and a .154 opponents’ batting average. Venditte’s impressive performance in Wausau caught the attention of major league teams, and he was subsequently drafted in the 20th round of the 2008 MLB draft by the New York Yankees.

Venditte made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2015, where he played in 26 games and finished the season having pitched 28.2 innings. He also pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and the Miami Marlins. Venditte’s time with these teams was characterized by his versatility as a pitcher, and his ability to switch arms depending on the batter he faced. His most successful stint was with the Dodgers in 2018, where he posted a 2.57 ERA in 15 appearances. Throughout his career, Venditte proved to be a reliable and unique weapon out of the bullpen, making him a valuable asset to each of the teams he played for.

Venditte’s most unique quality was his ability to pitch with both arms. He is the only pitcher in professional baseball history to have the ability to pitch with both arms at the highest level. Venditte has a career record of 2-2 and 4.73 ERA in 61 appearances over six seasons with six different major league teams.

In 2010, the MLB instituted the “Pat Venditte Rule” which clarified the rules for switch-pitchers like Venditte. The rule states that a switch-pitcher must declare which arm he intends to use before facing a switch-hitter, and that the batter then has the option to switch sides of the plate or stay in their position.

During his time in the major leagues, Venditte faced some of the toughest batters in the game, including Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and David Ortiz. Venditte’s ability to throw with both arms gave him a distinct advantage over hitters, and his unorthodox pitching style made him a fan favorite.

Pat Venditte officially announced his retirement from professional baseball in 2021. Throughout his time in the sport, Venditte made history as a switch-pitcher in major league baseball, showcasing his unique and impressive talent for fans all over the world.