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HIT BY PITCH (HUNT) Print E-mail

By Alex J. Haas

Batters hit by pitched balls has been an interesting baseball statistic, but not a very important one -- at least not until this year. Ron Hunt of the Montreal Expos was hit a record 50 times in 1971, and this resulted in renewed interest in this unusual batting category. Hugh Jennings of the old Baltimore Orioles was reportedly hit by pitches 49 times in 1896, which was the old time mark. This type of record was not included among the official averages until 1920, and trying to ascertain the actual figures prior to that time is s tedious process. Compiling complete and accurate figures prior to 1909 is virtually impossible.

It is understood, however, that no player approached Jennings' high total at any time in this century until Hunt in 1971. In fact, very few players took the chance of being hit half that many times. Nevertheless, there were several players who had a particular knack for getting hit. Included was Louis Evans, who played with the Cardinals 1909-1913. He was hit the most times in three of those years, including 31 times in 1911. This was the modern record until] Hunt surpassed it this past year. Arthur Fletcher of the Giants was another to finish high in the HBP column, leading his league five times.

In the 1930s and 1940s, when it was much easier to hit than get hit, Frank Crosetti of the Yanks led seven times. In the 1950a Minnie Minoso led ten times. While with the White Sox, Minoso's unusual talents rubbed off on teammates Nellie Fox and Sherm Lollar, who racked up some substantial HBP totals. Probably the best hitter among those frequently hit is Frank Robinson of the Reds and Orioles, who has led in both leagues. A high-priced player, he has continued to crowd the plate even in his later years.

On a career basis, Minoso has been hit 192 times to lead all players in this century. Hunt, however, is moving up rapidly with 177, followed by Frank Robinson with 176. Other players who have been hit more than 100 times since 1909 include: Arthur Fletcher 141, Nellie Fox 141, Sherm Lollar 115, Buck Herzog 114, Frank Crosetti 114, George H. Burns 111, and Jimmy Dykes 109. The annual leaders in each league follow.

BATSMEN HIT BY PITCH MOST TIMES

Year

American League Leader


National League Leader


1909

Dave Altizer, Waah.

16

John Titus, Phil.

16

1910

Bert Daniels, N.Y.

16

Louis Evans, StL.

31

Harry Geaaler, Wash.

16

Wade Killefer, Waah.

16

1911

Norm Elberfeld, Wash.

25

Louis Evans, StL.

19

1912

Bert Daniels, N.Y.

18

Louis Evans, StL.

17

1913

Bert Daniels, N.Y.

18

Arthur Fletcher, N.Y.

15

1914

Joseph Murphy, Phil.

12

Arthur Fletcher, N.Y.

13

Geo. H. Burns, Det.

12

Henry Groh, Cm.

13

1915

Jack Fournier, Chi.

15

Wade Killefer, Cm.

19

1916

John Barry, Boston

17

Arthur Fletcher, N.Y.

14

1917

Elmer Miller, N.Y.

9

Arthur Fletcher, N.Y.

19

Wally Schang, Phil.

9

Edward Spencer, Det.

9

1918

Geo. H. Burns, Det.

8

Arthur Fletcher, N.Y.

15

Elmer Gedeon, StL.

8

Robert Roth, Clev.

8

1919

Geo. H. Burns, Phil.

12

Buck Herzog, Bos-Chi.

14

1920

Bucky Harris, Wash.

21

Jack Fournier, StL.

12

1921

Bucky Harris, Wash.

18

Jack Fournier, StL.

8

1922

Bucky Harris, Wash.

14

Casey Stengel, N.Y.

9

Johnny Mostil, Chi.

14

1923

Heinie Manush, Det.

17

Eugene Hsrgrave, Cm.

12

1924

Heinie Manush, Det.

16

Henry Groh, N.Y.

11

1925

Johnny Mostil, Chi.

12

Hazen Cuyler, Pitt.

13

1926

Johnny Mostil, Chi.

10

Ray Blades, StL.

11

1927

Frank O'Rourke, StL.

12

Cy Williams, Phil.

9

1928

Bing Miller, Phil.

8

Taylor Douthit, StL.

10

Ossie Bluege, Wash.

8

Geo. McNeely, Wash.

8

1929

Jimmie Dykes, Phil.

7

James Welsh, N.Y.-Bos.

11

Wally Schang, StL.

7

Robert Reeves, Bos.

7

1930

Jimmie Dykes, Phil.

10

Hazen Cuyler, Chi.

10

1931

Bing Miller, Phil.

10

Vince Barton, Chi.

9

1932

Earl Averill, Clev.

6

George Watkins, StL.

8

Bruce Campbell, StL.

6

1933

Jimmie Dykes, Chi.

12

George Watkins, StL.

12

1934

Pinky Higgins, Phil.

9

Dick Bartell, Phil.

9

1935

Cecil Travis, Wash.

9

Hank Lieber, N.Y.

10

1936

Frank Crosetti, N.Y.

12

Ival Goodman, Cin.

9

1937

Frank Crosetti, N.Y.

12

Dick Bartell, N.Y.

10

1938

Frank Crosetti, N.Y.

15

Ival Goodman, Cin.

15

1939

Frank Crosetti, N.Y.

13

Ival Goodman, Cin.

7

Dick Bartell, Chi.

7

1940

Frank Crosetti, N.Y.

10

Elbie Fletcher, Pitt.

9

1941

Dom DiMaggio, Bos.

7

Pete Reiser, Bkn.

11

1942

Frank Crosetti, N.Y.

19

Dick Bartell, N.Y.

8

Bill Nicholson, Chi.

8

1943

Mickey Vernon, Wash.

10

Dick Bartell, N.Y.

7

1944

Roberto Ortiz, Wash.

8

Dan Litwhiler, Phil.

10

1945

Frank Crosetti, N.Y.

10

Andy Pafko, Chi.

8

Floyd Baker, Chi.

10

Melvin Ott, N.Y.

8

Napoleon Reyes, N.Y.

8

1946

Tommy Henrich, N.Y.

7

Buddy Blattner, N.Y.

6

1947

Phil Rizzuto, N.Y.

8

Geo. Kurowski, StL.

10

1948

Joe DiMaggio, N.Y.

8

Jack Robinson, Bkn.

7

1949

Larry Doby, Clev.

7

Andy Pafko, Chi.

9

Ed Robinson, Wash.

7

1950

Al Rosen, Clev.

10

Eddie Stanky, N.Y.

12

Luke Easter, Clev.

10

1951

Minnie Minoso, Chi.

16

Andy Pafko, Chi-Bkn.

12

1952

Minnie Minoso, Chi.

14

Solly Hemus, StL.

20

1953

Minnie Minoso, Chi.

17

Solly Memus, StL.

12

1954

Minnie Minoso, Chi.

16

Frank Thomas, Pitt.

10

1955

Nellie Fox, Chi.

17

Stan Musial, StL.

8

1956

Minnie Minoso, Chi.

23

Frank Robinson, Cm.

20

1957

Minnie Minoso, Chi.

21

Ed Bouchee, Phil.

14

1958

Minnie Minoso, Clev.

15

Solly Memus, StL.

8

Walter Moryn, Chi.

8

Ray Walls, Chi.

8

1959

Minnie Minoso, Clev.

17

Frank Robinson, Cin.

8

1960

Minnie Minoso, Chi.

13

Frank Robinson, Cin.

9

1961

Minnie Minoso, Chi.

16

Joe Cunningham, StL.

11

1962

Norman Cash, Det.

13

Frank Robinson, Cin.

11

Bob Del Greco, K.C.

13

1963

Max Alvis, Clev.

10

Frank Robinson, Cin.

14

1964

Harm Killebrew, Mm.

8

Tony Taylor, Phila.

13

Zoilo Versalles Mm.

8

Bill Freehan, Det.

8

1965

Max Alvis, Clev.

9

Frank Robinson, Cin.

18

Bert Campaneris,K.C.

9

1966

Rick Reichardt, Cal.

13

Orlan.Cepeda, SF-StL.

14

Lou Johnson, L.A.

14

1967

Bill Freehan, Det.

20

Orlan. Cepeda, StL.

12

1968

Bill Freehan, Det.

24

Ronald Hunt, S.F.

25

1969

Frank Robinson,Balt.

13

Ronald Hunt, S.F.

25

1970

Roy Foster, Clev.

12

Ronald Hunt, S.F.

26

1971

Mike Epstein,W-Oak. -

12

Ronald Hunt, Mont.

50