Most Games Started, Zero Plate Appearances

With interleague play firmly a part of the MLB schedule, it's nearly impossible for a starting pitcher to go more than a season or two without batting at least once. For the first twenty-five years after the DH rule was introduced, however, it was entirely possible for a starter to spend his entire career in the American League and never bat. Let's look at the pitchers who started the most games without ever stepping to the plate.

Most Career Games Started, Zero Plate Appearances

1. Mike Flanagan, 401
2. Mark Gubicza, 329
3. Ron Guidry, 323*
4. Scott McGregor, 309
5. Mike Boddicker, 309*
6. Dennis Leonard, 302
7. Mike Witt, 299
8. Richard Dotson, 295*
9. Jack McDowell, 275
10. Moose Haas, 252
11. Chris Bosio, 246
12. Kirk McCaskill, 242
13. Bill Wegman, 216*
14. Glenn Abbott, 206
15. Teddy Higuera, 205
16. Mike Smithson, 204
17. Melido Perez, 201
18. Jim Beattie, 182
19. Ed Figueroa, 179
20. Steve McCatty, 161
    
21. Britt Burns, 161
    
22. Luis Leal, 151
    
23. Ken Schrom, 137
24. Dave Rozema, 132
25. Bob Milacki, 125
26. Roger Pavlik, 125
    

* - appeared as pinch runner

A footnote: Teddy Higuera batted once in the 1986 All-Star Game, striking out.

Update: Commenter NaOH notes that Flanagan, Guidry, McGregor, and Boddicker batted during the playoffs, so they didn't really go their entire career without batting.