Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Favorite Targets

The Giants haven't plunked Biggio since 1999, and in the 7 seasons since then, they've only plunked Astros batters 12 times, but even though the Astros rank 11th in HBPs against the Giants since 2000, they're still the Giants top target for the span of Biggio's career (1988 on).

Here's the list of plunks thrown by the Giants at each team (1988 to yesterday):
Astros - 76
Padres - 75
Rockies - 70
Dodgers - 68
Braves - 53
Expos - 51
Reds - 49
Cardinals - 49
Phillies - 47
Pirates - 46
Cubs - 45
Mets - 45
D-backs - 42
Marlins - 34
Brewers - 31
A's - 12
Orioles - 6
Mariners - 6
Rangers - 6
Angels - 4
Royals - 2
Devil Rays - 1
Yankees - 1
Tigers - 1
Red Sox - 0
Indians - 0
Blue Jays - 0
White Sox - 0
Twins - 0

The Giants are one of 3 teams who have chosen the Astros as their favorite targets for plunks during the Biggio era. The Reds and the Pirates have also plunked the Astros more than they've drilled any other team's batters. The only team which has become the favorite targets of more other teams during the 1988-2006 period is the Pirates who have been the most plunked team for the Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs and Astros. The Giants and Phillies have been the most plunked team of 3 other teams as well. The Giants have been the favorite targets of Rockies, Dodgers and Padres, although the Rockies hit the Dodgers as many times as they've plunked the Giants. The Phillies have been the most frequent victims of plunks thrown by the Braves, Mets and Marlins during the 1988-2006 seasons. But the Giants, having plunked the Astros more than they've plunked anyone else, are the only team to have a favorite target who is not currently in their own division. The Astros will have to pick up their get-hitting in the rest of the season series to keep that distinction though.

Here are the favorite targets of every team in the league from 1988 through 2006:
National League:
TeamFavorite TargetHBPs
CardinalsPirates116
PiratesAstros110
Expos/NatsMets107
RedsAstros105
AstrosPirates103
CubsPirates97
PhilliesMets94
RockiesDodgers/Giants89
MarlinsPhillies88
MetsPhillies83
BrewersPirates82
PadresGiants80
GiantsAstros76
DodgersGiants74
D-backsDodgers62
BravesPhillies57

American League:
TeamFavorite TargetHBPs
Red SoxBlue Jays137
YankeesBlue Jays112
TigersIndians105
IndiansTwins103
RangersMariners103
Blue JaysRed Sox102
MarinersA's100
OriolesYankees97
AngelsA's91
RoyalsTigers90
White SoxTwins88
Devil RaysRed Sox84
A'sRangers79
TwinsIndians77

(as you can see, the much hyped Red Sox/Yankees rivalry is really all about which team can plunk more Blue Jays)

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