Did you know...

Just a random stat/oddity I ran across today...

Bob Gibson has a legendary reputation for intimidation, however he only hit a batter 102 times in his career. One less than the scary Scott Erickson.

Other pitchers with more career HBP include:
Pedro Astacio
David Cone
Aaron Sele
Orel Hershiser
Darryl Kile
Al Leiter
Jeff Weaver
Dennis Martinez
Jamey Wright
Kenny Rogers
Jamie Moyer
Chan Ho Park
Greg Maddux
Tim Wakefield


If you've got any, add 'em.

That's pretty interesting. There are a couple of names on that list that surprised me. Maybe hitters did a better job at getting out of the way then? Or were they just more intimidated by his stuff rather than him coming inside?



Joe

Intimidation doesn't necessarily equal HBP, though. It's about throwing inside, and if you have control of your fastball like Gibson did you shouldn't hit people.

I understand that's not what you're discussing (and you probably considered it already), just wanted to point it out on the thread.

Craig

That stat is a little misleading....my guess, guys like Martinez, Rogers, Wakefield and Moyer pitched more innings. What if you looked at it in terms of hit batters per 9 innings pitched?

Also, guys like Wakefield are throwing junk....and Maddux didn't have a overpowering fastball....they threw inside to set-up other pitches...not intimate batters. I would rather get plunked by Wakefield than Gibson any day.

crowhop said:

Just a random stat/oddity I ran across today...

Bob Gibson has a legendary reputation for intimidation, however he only hit a batter 102 times in his career. One less than the scary Scott Erickson.

Other pitchers with more career HBP include:
Pedro Astacio
David Cone
Aaron Sele
Orel Hershiser
Darryl Kile
Al Leiter
Jeff Weaver
Dennis Martinez
Jamey Wright
Kenny Rogers
Jamie Moyer
Chan Ho Park
Greg Maddux
Tim Wakefield


If you've got any, add 'em.

Click to expand...

The philosophy of hitting has changed. Used to hitters would sit in the farthest corner of the batter's box and dive in. Now they stand on top of the plate.

Here's the complete list sorted from 1920 to present with IP included:
1 Randy Johnson 188 4039.1 1988 2008
2 Charlie Hough 174 3801.1 1970 1994
3 Tim Wakefield 163 2802 1992 2008
4 Jim Bunning 160 3760.1 1955 1971
5 Roger Clemens 159 4916.2 1984 2007
6 Nolan Ryan 158 5386 1966 1993
7 Bert Blyleven 155 4970 1970 1992
8 Don Drysdale 154 3432 1956 1969
9 Kevin Brown 139 3256.1 1986 2005
10 Greg Maddux 137 5008.1 1986 2008
11 Pedro Martinez 137 2782.2 1992 2008
12 Chan Ho Park 130 1846 1994 2008
13 Dave Stieb 129 2895.1 1979 1998
14 Frank Tanana 129 4188.1 1973 1993
15 Jamie Moyer 128 3746.2 1986 2008
16 Kenny Rogers 127 3302.2 1989 2008
17 Jamey Wright 127 1623 1996 2008
18 Phil Niekro 123 5404.1 1964 1987
19 Dennis Martinez 122 3999.2 1976 1998
20 Jim Kaat 122 4530.1 1959 1983
21 Howard Ehmke 121 2275 1920 1930
22 Jeff Weaver 118 1714.2 1999 2007
23 Al Leiter 117 2391 1987 2005
24 Darryl Kile 117 2165.1 1991 2002
25 Orel Hershiser 117 3130.1 1983 2000
26 Aaron Sele 112 2153 1993 2007
27 Pedro Astacio 111 2196.2 1992 2006
28 Gaylord Perry 108 5350.1 1962 1983
29 David Cone 106 2898.2 1986 2003
30 George Uhle 106 2992.2 1920 1936
31 Jim Lonborg 105 2464.1 1965 1979
32 Scott Erickson 103 2360.2 1990 2006
33 Bob Gibson 102 3884.1 1959 1975

18 of the 33 pitched into the year 2000, at least. And only 8 pitchers on the list threw more innings than Gibson.



EDITED to include IP.

My question is:

Is his legend more based on myth or fact?
Since I never saw him pitch, I can't answer that.
Anyone here ever see him live?

Wow looking at this list really makes Daniel Cabrera's 51 hit batters in only 841 career IP look pretty special!

rdg00001 said:

Wow looking at this list really makes Daniel Cabrera's 51 hit batters in only 841 career IP look pretty special!

Click to expand...

Jamey Wright hits batters at a 1:12.8 pace. That's got to be a record or something.

crowhop said:

rdg00001 said:

Wow looking at this list really makes Daniel Cabrera's 51 hit batters in only 841 career IP look pretty special!

Click to expand...

Jamey Wright hits batters at a 1:12.8 pace. That's got to be a record or something.

Click to expand...

Wow. So if he averages 6 IP per start he's hitting a batter almost every game. There are pitchers with walk rates almost at that level!

Craig

crowhop said:

rdg00001 said:

Wow looking at this list really makes Daniel Cabrera's 51 hit batters in only 841 career IP look pretty special!

Click to expand...

Jamey Wright hits batters at a 1:12.8 pace. That's got to be a record or something.

Click to expand...

Wow - I didn't even see him on the list - that is pretty scary!

This one goes back a ways, but Ed Doheny beaned 132 in 1327 innings from 1896-1909 (1:10.55)

crowhop said:

The philosophy of hitting has changed. Used to hitters would sit in the farthest corner of the batter's box and dive in. Now they stand on top of the plate.

Click to expand...

And, batters are wearing more elbow pads than ever so there isn't as much fear of getting plunked in the elbow.

Yeah, with Gibby I have to think it had a lot to do with the lack of batting helmets, pads, etc.

Would you go up there in a short sleeve uni with no helmet, elbow pads, or batting gloves and take a chance at getting pummelled by a Gibson fastball?

:lol: :lol: