General
punch-and-judy hitter
What does punch-and-judy hitter mean?
A batter who lacks power and prefers to place well-timed singles instead of swinging for home runs.
"As a punch-and-Judy hitter, he choked up and just tried to make contact."
Origin
References the violent 17th-century Punch and Judy puppet shows; popularized in baseball by 1940.
Frequently asked questions
What is a punch-and-Judy hitter?
It's a weak hitter who slaps well-placed singles rather than swinging for power or home runs.
Where does punch-and-Judy hitter come from?
It references the violent 17th-century Punch and Judy puppet shows and was popularized in baseball by 1940.
Is punch-and-Judy hitter an insult?
It's mildly disparaging, noting a lack of power, though such hitters are still valued for making contact.
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