In this week’s “The Baseball Show with Rany and Joe” podcast, it was mentioned that the Brewers’ Nyjer Morgan has more HBPs (9) than walks (7, in 266 at-bats, as of 8/18). Its a bit of a statistical aberration for Morgan, as through the 2010 season, he had amassed 23 HBPs versus 99 walks.
Regardless, it made me wonder how many players went through a season with more HBPs than walks. A quick trip to the Lahman database provided some enlightenment.
Morgan has a ways to go to catch some of these guys who’d rather “take one for the team” than “take your base”:
The last player to make the list was John McDonald in 2009, getting plunked twice and taking only one free pass in 151 ABs. Ryan Doumit is the last 10+ HBP guy with fewer than 10 walks, in 2005. Morgan needs one HBP to have a chance to join that “club”.
The Avett brother lyrics “Oh Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in/Are you aware the shape I’m in?” seem relevant.
Oh, never mind, BLN is Baltimore. Oops.
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