Intentionally Walking the Pitcher
Posted by Chris J. on December 12, 2007
So, how often has it happened, and who is the most intentionally walked pitcher? Well, the PI database has 12 times it's happened. Mickey McDermott in 1957 was the only guy given two free passes in a season, but Gary Peters racked up 3 overall.
It's only happened once since 1970, though - to Don Robinson in 1984 in this game. Added bonus: he appeared as a pinch hitter, and scored the winning run as a result. Awesome.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Hey Chris - haven't checked the complete list but Don Robinson's PA was as a PH!
December 12th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I actually had never heard of Gary Peters, but he sure could hit.
December 12th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Mickey McDermott was a lifetime .250 hitter! On May 12, 1957 he started the game as pitcher and was 8th in the line-up. McDermott was IBBed to load the bases for Joe Demaestri (an All-Star short stop), but Irv Noren pinch hit into an RBI FC. On September 6, 1957, McDermott PH and IBBed for Billy Hunter with a man on 2nd.
Don Robinson was a lifetime .230 hitter. His IBB came when he pinch hit for Rod Scurry (a pitcher).
The Jim Kaat IBB is interesting. September 1, 1970. Kaat comes in with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, with a one-run lead and runners of 1st and 2nd. Kaat blows the save by giving up a single to Ted Kubiak. Kaat then settles down and gets the next four batters one. In the top of the 11th, Kaat's Twins rally. A walk, a single, and error and a sacrifice produce one run, one out and runners on 2nd and 3rd. Up comes Kaat with Cesar Tovar (in his prime!) on deck, rookie Danny Thompson in the hole, and still a killer Harmon Killebrew after him. What was Brewer manager Dave Bristol thinking? He IBBs Kaat! Tovar delivers with a 2 run single, Thompson grounds out and Killebrew delivers with a 2-out, three-run dinger. Kaat then shuts down the Brewers in the bottom of the 11th, and registered the WIN!
For Peters, his three IBBs came as a pinch hitter, twice pinch hitting for Hoyt Wilhelm twice and once for Al Weis (later of Miracle Mets fame).
The Juan Pizarro game looks interesting, but I cannot get to the play-by-play. But from the box score: He won a complete game against the Cubs. Lifetime .173 hitter Casey Wise was on deck when Pizarro was IBBed.
Sleater came in with one out and the score tied in the top of the ninth. He gave up a run-scoring grounder and a fly ball to retire the side. His Tigers tied it up in the bottom of the ninth with a single by Kaline, and sacrifice, and a double by Italy-born Reno Bertoia. Sleater was next in the line up. With a runner on 2nd and only one out they walked Sleater to pitch to Harvey Kuenn. Kuenn and Bolling both fouled out. Sleater later got the win.
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I'm surprised Brooks Kieschnick didn't show up on the list.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN200405050.shtml
He was a very good hitting pitcher (converted from the field), and despite being often used as a PH, in this game he actually enters the game as a pitcher and bats his turn in the 9th and is intentionally walked.