Padres pitcher James Shields says he loves to hit

Published May. 28, 2015 3:04 a.m. ET

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James Shields sounds like he’s happy to be pitching in the National League because he gets a chance to swing the bat. He may only be a .197 hitter in 71 career at-bats, but on Tuesday he told MLB.com, "I love hitting, man -- I absolutely love it.”

The right-hander marveled at Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner’s recent homer off of the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw. He said:

"That was impressive," Shields said, grinning as he added, "and that was a pretty good pitcher he hit it off. It's every pitcher's dream to hit a home run in the big leagues.”

Shields will get his next chance to fulfill that dream on Friday.

(h/t MLB.com)

Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

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