In Atlanta this evening, 285-pound Bartolo Colon is facing off against 260-pound Aaron Harang. That got Stuart Johnson thinking, and good friend of the VORG Mark Simon putting out the “bat signal” . . .
Stuart Johnson @stujo11
Bartolo Colon (listed 285 lbs) and Aaron Harang (260 lbs) square off tonight. Wonder what the heaviest pitching matchup ever is? @msimonespn
Mark Simon @msimonespn@stujo11 Paging @dianagram & @TomTheIntern - my guess is Jumbo Brown vs someone
Using the height and weight data from the Lahman Baseball Database, and the starting pitcher data from the Retrosheet game logs, I was able to research this question. The results are available in this Google Drive document, but here are the highlights:
At a combined 575 pounds, CC Sabathia (290) and Colon (285) are the record-holders for the weightiest matchup. They’ve met four times between 2004 and 2013.
In terms of BMI, which takes into account height and weight, Colon (BMI of 38.6) is again part of the record matchup. His duels with Tommy Hunter (35.0) combine for a record 73.6 BMI. They met twice in 2012.
So Harang and Colon will have to go back to the buffet to get closer to the record.
Diane, Fascinating entry as always. On the flip side, I wonder what the mound sqareoff would fit the flyweight category. Harvey Haddix may be one of the potential flingers ?
Hmm …. I’ll put that one on my “to do” list.
OK ….. since 1900, the record appears to be a total of only 289 pounds, as 155 lb. Dixie Davis faced 134 lb. Jose Acosta on 4/22/1922
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLA/SLA192204220.shtml
Diane, Thank you for you’re amazing ability to find such fascinating minutia. I can envision a 155 lb. pitcher (I thought initially Haddix was in this weight range, Baseball Reference lists him at 170 lb.), but 134 lb. Jose Acosta is quite startling. You are the master at fact finding! Appreciate your research very much.