What do Zack Greinke, Jon Lester, and Mariano Rivera have in common?

What do Zack Greinke, Jon Lester, and Mariano Rivera have in common?

If you know the answer to this, you are waaay more of a stat geek than I am.

Yesterday in Colorado, on his way to his 13th save in 13 attempts, on his way to Cooperstown Mariano hit Jordan Pacheco with a pitch. It was the 46th batter that Mo has hit in his career that began in 1995. The 46 HBP now ties him with you know who.

Rivera has hit 39 different batters including Ty Wigginton and Kevin Youkilis three times each, and Rickey Henderson, Dan Johnson, and Kevin Millar two times each.

Not surprisingly, his favorite targets have been the Red Sox

Here are the teams that Mo has hit the mo’st

BOSTON – 9
OAKLAND – 6
TAMPA BAY – 5
BALTIMORE – 4
KANSAS CITY – 3
TEXAS – 3
WHITE SOX – 3
MINNESOTA – 2
CLEVELAND – 2
SEATTLE – 2
DETROIT – 2

In 2007 Rivera hit six batters, the most of any season. He hit five batters in 2004, 2006, and 2010. 1997 and 2012 are the only season he didn’t hit any one.

On July 5, 2008, Mariano, pitching the 9th inning, hit both Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis, but held on to earn the save in a 2-1 win. It was the only game in which he has hit two batters.

Probably the most surprising HBP occurred on September 11, 2010 when Riviera hit Jeff Francoeur of the Texas Rangers and forced in the winning run for a walkoff HBP.

Here are the 16 pitchers who have hit at 100+ batters since 1995