Lackey broke franchise Hit Batter record on Wednesday

by plunkeveryone on Jul 31, 2009 6:25 AM PDT

This doesn't appear to have been mentioned anywhere in the media, but I thought some Angels fans might be interested to hear that when John Lackey hit Victor Martinez in the first inning of Wednesday's game, he broke the Angels franchise record in hitting batters. Lackey has hit 72 batters in his career, eclipsing the previous record of 71 by Chuck Finley.

Here are the top ten pitchers in Angels history in Hit Batters:

John Lackey, (2002- ) - 72
Chuck Finley, (1986-1999) - 71
Nolan Ryan, (1972-1979) - 56
Frank Tanana, (1973-1980) - 55
Mike Witt, (1981-1990) - 48
Ken McBride, (1961-1965) - 48
Tom Murphy, (1968-1972) - 42
Ervin Santana, (2005- ) - 40
Jarrod Washburn, (1998-2005) - 38
Ramon Ortiz, (1999-2004) - 37

Only 20 of the 72 batters Lackey has hit have gone on to score a run after reaching base, and he's only hit one batter with the bases loaded. The Angels are 33-27 when Lackey hits at least one batter, but they're 7-3 when he hits two batters.

Lackey and Tim Wakefield are the only active pitchers who own their current team's franchise plunk record outright, although Dave Bush is tied for the Brewers record, and Jake Peavy is one plunk behind the Padres franchise record.

Also notable, though not particularly relevant, is that John Lackey is the all time leader in hitting Derek Jeter with pitches, at 4.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Comments

LOL

love your screen name

RIP Nick. We will miss you!

by KingF15h on Jul 31, 2009 7:02 AM PDT reply actions

This SBN user does nothing but wait for HBP’s to appear in box scores. Awesome. What a claim to fame! ;)

(thanks for sharing this amazingly minute detail with the rest of us)

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 31, 2009 7:15 AM PDT reply actions

I just like the fact that...

Lackey has hit Jeter more than anyone else. Wipe that smug look of your face, before Lackey wipes it for you.

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

by Jay Cal on Jul 31, 2009 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions

I like the fact that Lackey has the huevos to establish his territory. That is critical to success in the majors. I don’t see Saunders throwing inside. Elevated hangers are Joe’s bread and butter right now.

As to the Jeter factoid, I think it is due to his holding his hand up to signal time while standing in the box and that following a low and away ball with his nose as it sails by him. He also makes these hand motions as the ball goes by him as if to help the umpire decide to call it a ball. “If Jeter thinks it’s a ball, heck, it’s gotta be a ball.” I’d throw inside on Jeter guy, too.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 31, 2009 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah...

though its kind of annoying he has the lead with 4. FOUR. that number should be much higher

Tell your statistics to shut up

by HaloDutch on Jul 31, 2009 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Well I used to just wait for HBPs to appear in box scores for one player, so at least I’ve branched out a little.

Also, I meant to mention that among active pitchers under age 31, only Carlos Zambrano has hit more batters than Lackey has. Zambrano his hit 80, but feel free to speculate that he’s not actually 28 years old. And Lackey needs 9 more hit batters at home to break the Angels Stadium record, which is still owned by Chuck Finley at 38. Only 30 of Lackey’s 72 have been at home.

by plunkeveryone on Jul 31, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions