HAL's pinch hitting clues or clueless

While the SOM community is split on whether HAL's pinching hitting strategy provides tell-tale signs, let me add more confusing data to the debate. In the years I've played the 80s game, I can't recall seeing a pitcher pinch hit.

Is this a sign?

In the Astrodome (8/8 1/1) and the bottom of the 12th, Chuck Taylor (2WR) is schedule to lead off against Doug Bird (likely 1982 card). With the bench empty (14 position players with 1 injury), HAL selects Fergie Jenkins (3NR) to pinch hit for Talyor.

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/game/playbyplay/348077/179

Of course, Fergie doesn't receive credit for his pinch hitting duties via the SOM Misc pages.

Fergie is a 3 whereas Taylor is a 2.

It sorta...kinda... maybe makes sense.

The key to the reasoning behind that pinch hit at-bat wasn't likely the 2 vs the 3, but the "w" vs the "N". Fergie has the "N" rating (normal power) so he can hit a home run off the pitchers card.

Hal's all about the game winning home run. In this game he takes Fingers out in the bottom of the 10th to let Larry Dierker (3NR) take a crack at it. Fortunately I was able to pull it out in the 11th after my power slobs let the other guys manufacture a run . . .

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/game/playbyplay/348087/53