HOF candidates: Private duels

Few data and analysis seem more irrelevant than comparisons based on particular engagements. Logically, we hope that a group of great players of the same generation – like those on the ballot in the Hall of Fame – have starred in close duels. However, this is seldom the case. There are several examples of elite pitchers who were never able to figure out the great hitters of their day, and vice versa.

With 13 faces recognized between the 2000s and 2010s on this year’s ballot, here are several unique duels that are interesting to examine.

Barry Bonds vs. Curt schilling

.263 / .410 / .638, 8 HR, 21 CE (100 VB)

Bonds has impressive numbers against several of the pitchers on the 2022 ballot – averaging .407 against Tim Hudson – but none faced Schilling more times than he did, overlapping both races over 20 years. The eight home runs Bonds gave Schilling in the regular season were his most against any other hitter. Although his two multi-homer games against Schilling look a bit modest compared to his total of such games (71), Schilling only allowed 15 batters to take it out twice in his career.

Manny Ramirez vs. Andy Pettitte.

391 / .452 / .652, 5 HR, 23 CE (104 VB)

Pettitte faced the Dominican more than any other batter in his career. The general opinion is that duels between pitchers and batters usually favor the latter, and this is the case. No one had more hits (36) and drove in more runs against Pettitte, 104 times at bat, than Ramirez, who only struck out eight times and traded 10 walks. Meanwhile, his five homers include the one he gave in the 1998 American League Championship Series. It should be noted that the also Dominican and Ramírez’s former teammate in Boston, David Ortiz, hit .343 / .407 / .500 in his career against the left-handed Yankees.

Ryan Howard vs. Tim hudson.

343 / .434 / .646, 7 HR, 20 CE (83 VB)

Do you remember the final part of the 2000s? If so, they must be reminded of Howard’s ability to ruin a pitcher’s day at any moment. Hudson, primarily with the Braves, pitched to the Phillies’ Howard 83 times – more than any other hitter, by a margin of 26 times at bat. The seven homers from the gunner are the second-most by any pitcher for Howard.

Alex Rodriguez vs. Joe Nathan

.500 / .533 / .929, HR, 3 CI (15 shifts)

It’s the smallest sample on the list, but we’ve got it here for good reason. The Yankees were the main factor in the Twins’ misfortune in the first decade of the 2000s, and Rodriguez arrived in New York in 2004, the same year that Nathan emerged as a piece in the Minnesota bullpen. If 14-7 may be too low for some, you might consider that two of the top five career moments, rated by aggregate championship win probability, were unstoppable against Nathan – a double in Game 2. 2004 ALDS home run and a home run in 2009 ALDS Game 2, each setting the table for a decisive hit that put the Bombers up 2-0 in those series.

Tim Lincecum vs. Jimmy rollins

.180 / .255 / .220, 13K (55 shifts)

Rollins has the distinction of being the first hitter Lincecum faced in the majors. The infielder hit a hit that turn, but was not very successful after that. The Phillies were seeking their third straight NL title when they fell in the 2010 SCLN to the Giants, a series in which Lincecum made two starts of seven or more innings and controlled Rollins to just one hit in six plate appearances. That was pretty much the main theme, with Lincecum dominating Rollins in most of their matchups, striking out 13 against Rollins’ undeniable nine – seven singles – in their careers.

Jake Peavy vs. Andruw Jones

.048 / .167 / .048, 8K (24 shifts)

Each of Jones’ at-bats against Peavy were during the pitcher’s career with the Padres, as he posted a better-than-3.00 ERA in four of his first three major league seasons. He was a tough opponent and he knew how to turn off Jones. The ranger went 21-1 against Peavy, hitting .048 in his career, which was his worst against any pitcher he faced at least 15 times.

Roger Clemens vs. Torii hunter

.000 / .067 / .000, 15K (30PA)

Hunter wouldn’t be the only excellent hitter who prefers to forget his at-bats against Clemens – no one wins seven Cy Young Awards as an easy opponent – but statistically, the outfielder’s 19-year career experience was a nightmare against the ace. In 11 games, Hunter ran out 30 at-bats against Clemens and was 1-for-28 with two walks traded. Of more than 300 .000 hitters against Clemens, Hunter was by far the one with the most chances. The next one went 21-0.

Mark Buehrle vs. Justin morneau

.190 / .234 / .310.6K (64 PA)

The Twins and White Sox faced each other on a myriad of occasions, meaning that for much of a decade, Buehrle and Morneau met at least once a year – in fact, they saw each other every season of the game. 2004-2010. Most of those crashes went to southpaw Buehrle, who struck out just six against fellow southpaw Morneau, but managed to control him to a .190 average with just three extra-base hits.