Athletics History: Wally Schang First Player to Homer from Both Sides

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 21: Oakland Athletics hats and gloves during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on May 21, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. Oakland Athletics won 1-0. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 21: Oakland Athletics hats and gloves during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on May 21, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. Oakland Athletics won 1-0. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)

These days, it is not uncommon to see a switch hitter belt home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game. On this day in 1916, Philadelphia Athletics catcher/outfielder Wally Schang became the first switch hitter to accomplish that feat.

The Philadelphia Athletics game against the New York Yankees on this day in 1916 was already one for the record books. Unfortunately, it was not a positive record, as only 23 fans attended the game. It was a turnout that would have brought instant cries for relocation had it occurred these days.

However, each of those 23 patrons had a great seat to witness history. Not only did the Athletics make history with their utterly pathetic attendance total, but the relatively light hitting Wally Schang impressed with the bat. He became the first player in baseball history to hit a home run from each side of the plate in the same game.

The thought that Schang was the first player to hit a home run for both sides of the plate in the same game was improbable at best. He was far from a power hitter, hitting only seven homers that year. In fact, his career high was eight home runs, set in 1926. Overall in his 19 year career, Schang hit a total of 59 homers.

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That lack of power does not diminish the player that Schang was. He was actually a fairly productive hitter, with an excellent batting eye and excellent ability to make contact. Schang had a lifetime .286/.393/.401 batting line, drawing 849 walks with just 573 strikeouts in 6432 plate appearances.

His 1916 campaign was arguably the best of his career. Along with those seven homers, Schang had a .266/.358/.420 batting line in the midst of the deadball era. As unimpressive as the batting line may seem, it was worth an OPS+ of 140, tied for the highest mark of his career. Add in his 14 steals and defensive versatility, and Schang was quite the valuable piece for the Athletics.

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The Philadelphia Athletics were a part of history twice on this day in 1916. First, they drew a record low 23 fans for their game. And then, Wally Schang became the first player to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.