Chicago Cubs: A history of pitchers who could swing the bat

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 06: Carlos Zambrano #38 of the Chicago Cubs points to the crowd after hitting a solo home run during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on August 6, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 11-4. (Photo by Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 06: Carlos Zambrano #38 of the Chicago Cubs points to the crowd after hitting a solo home run during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on August 6, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 11-4. (Photo by Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The Chicago Cubs has a team with a pretty good history of pitchers who could hit. It is worth looking back when times could be changing.

It is looking like the pitcher batting in the National League will be coming to an end. After 143 seasons of National League baseball, the universal DH seems to be right around the corner. While not official yet, it is likely sooner or later, all of baseball will go that route. Safe to say Chicago Cubs fans have very mixed feelings on the matter being National League fans.

Cubs fans have been treated to some good-hitting pitchers over the years. Every era seemingly has had at least one pitcher who was not an automatic out, going back to the 1920s. Also worth noting that going back to 1984, Cubs pitchers have hit four home runs in the postseason.

So which pitchers in the Cubs history were best at hitting the ball? Here are five of the best and why they were the best. Criteria are both based on stats and times they came up with timely hits. We are going back as early as the 1910s, so covering the previous century or so.