The Amazing Blaze Zine

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Last Lefty behind the plate - Benny Distefano

On May 14th, 1989 Benny Distefano of the Pittsburgh Pirates switched positions from 1B to Catcher for the top of the ninth inning of a 5-2 Buccos loss to the Atlanta Braves. The change was significant because Benny became the 1st left hander to get behind the plate since Mike Squires, a White Sox first basemen, caught a couple of innings back in 1980. Benny caught six innings for the Pirates during that 1989 season, and is currently the last lefty to play catcher in the big leagues.