Inducing Weak Contact
Ray Durham faced Mariano Rivera 26 times in his career – and went hitless. (The most at bats of any player with a .000 average versus Rivera.) He did reach base against River once in those 26 at bats – on an infield error. Surprisingly, Durham struck out only three times in those 26 at bats. Durham, by the way, was a .277 career hitter over 14 seasons.
We’re well into the off-season (although the whole 2020 season seemed just a bit off), and it seems an appropriate time to offer up the next edition of Baseball Roundtable’s “Who’s Your Daddy?” series … focusing on some of MLB’s premier pitchers – like Bob Feller, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan, as well as contemporary hurlers like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.
Who’s Your Daddy? What’s it all about?
In this series, BBRT presents lineups of players who performed unexpectedly well against baseball’s top pitchers. (An explanation of the inspiration behind the Who’s Your Daddy? series can be found the end of this post.) As always, I would stress that the pitchers included in the Who’s Your Daddy? series are among the “best in the business.” They are selected not because of the players who performed well against them, but rather because success among hitters when they were on the mound was the exception rather than the rule.
Before we get started on this edition – focusing on Hall of Famer Mariano “The Sandman” Rivera.” here are links to the previous editions of this series:
Nolan Ryan, click here.
Sandy Koufax, click here.
Pedro Martinez, click here.
Bob Gibson, click here.
Randy Johnson, click here.
Greg Maddux, click here.
Justin Verlander, click here.
Bob Feller, click here.
Roger Clemens, click here.
Max Scherzer, click here.
Tom Seaver, click here.
Now, to Mariano Rivera. This is the first reliever featured in the series, but with Rivera being the first-ever unanimous Hall of Fame selection, he is a natural for the spot. Of course, focusing on a reliever, particularly a closer, offered some challenges. Sampling sizes are a whole lot smaller when you’re looking at one- (or two-) inning stints. For example, when examining hitter performance against Nolan Ryan, there were ten hitters with more than 100 regular-season plate appearances versus Ryan and 86 hitters with 50 or more. With Rivera, over his 19 seasons, not a single batter logged 50 regular-season plate appearances against him and only seven had 25 or more. Still, as I think you will see, there was enough data to select a “Who’s Your Daddy?” lineup. So, let’s get on with it.
Rivera was the Yankee closer for 17 or his 19 seasons (1995-2013, all with the Yankees). He saved an MLB-record 652 games (also had 82 wins and 60 losses), put up a 2.21 career earned run average and fanned 1,174 batters in 1,283 2/3 innings. Rivera, a thirteen-time All Star, led the AL in saves three times and saved 40 or more games in 10 seasons (two seasons of 50 or more). In his final campaign (2013), he saved 44 games at age 43. Rivera recorded an ERA under 2.00 in 11 campaigns. Rivera’s career WHIP (Walks and Hits Per Inning Pitched) of 1.0003 is third-lowest among pitchers with at least 1,000 career innings pitched.
Off to a Slow “Start”
Called up to the Yankees in mid-May of 1995. Rivera began his MLB career as a starter. In his first four MLB starts he went 1-2, with a put up a 10.20 ERA, lasing just 15 innings in those four appearances. By mid-June was back a Triple A. He was back with the Yankees in July, back at Triple A Columbus in August and then back with the big club in September. For that initial MLB season, Rivera was 5-3, 5.51 in 19 games (ten starts). Rivera pitched for the Yankees for 18 more season, but never made another start. After that up-and-down first campaign, Rivera pitched to a 2.03 earned run average and held hitters to a .211 average over 1,096 regular-season appearances.
Rivera was even better in the post season, going 8-1, with record 42 post–season saves in 96 appearances – and posting a minuscule 0.70 earned run average.
Mariano Rivera’s Best Season: A lot to choose from here, but I’ll go with 2004, when Rivera went 4-2, with an MLB-topping 53 saves and a 1.95 ERA.
Double Your Pleasure …
On July 8, 2000, Mariano Rivera earned two saves in two different stadiums. The first came in a day game at Shea Stadium as the Yankees topped the Mets 4-2 and Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth. The two teams then headed to Yankee stadium for an evening tilt – again won 4-2 by the Yankees, with Rivera pitching a scoreless top of the ninth.
So, let’s take a look at a lineup of hitters who proved they could hold their own against Rivera’s dominating cutter. As in past “Who’s Your Daddy?” posts, the stats are for the regular season. (Although I’ll give a nod to Rivera’s post-season excellence on occasion.)
DH – Edgar Martinez
Photo by clare_and_ben 
We’ll start with the DH spot. (I’ve included pitchers’ batting stats in other posts in this series, but Rivera pitched his entire career in the American League’s DH era.) Very simply, no one has numbers against Mariano Rivera like Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez. Among those with at least ten at bats against Rivera, Martinez has the highest average (.625), highest on-base percentage (.700) and highest slugging percentage (1.188). He also has the second-most base hits (10-tied), most doubles (3-tied), most home runs (2-tied); and fourth-most RBI (6-ted).
Now, some will argue that Martinez did a lot his damage in Mariano’s rookie season – when Rivera bounced (less than successfully) between starter and reliever. Martinez faced Rivera seven times in that 1995 season and had five hits and a walk, with two home runs and five RBI. However, between 1996 and 2004, Martinez faced Rivera 13 more times and delivered five hits and two walks (a .500 average and a .615 on-base percentage). He earned this spot.
Edgar Martinez had a .500 or better on-base percentage in six of the seven season he faced Rivera. The exception was 2003, when he came up against the Yankee closer four times, grounding out once and striking out three times. In the post season, Martinez went one-for-three (a single) versus Rivera in his career. This was actually a pretty easy selection since Rivera, in numerous interviews, has called Martinez the toughest hitter he ever faced.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T …
In 2004, MLB changed the name of the Designated Hitter Award to the Edgar Martinez Award.
Edgar Martinez played 18 MLB seasons (1987-2004), all with the Mariners. He was a seven-time All Star, won two batting titles and led his league in runs scored once, doubles twice and RBI once. His final stat line was .312-309-1,261, with 1,219 runs scored (in 2,055 games).
Edgar Martinez’ Best Season: In 2000, Martinez he hit .324 and notched career highs in home runs (37) and RBI (145).
Honorable Mention: David Ortiz’ 11 regular-season hits versus Ramirez are the most of any batter. He put up a .344 average, with one home run and four RBI against The Sandman.
Catcher – Jason Varitek
While Jason Varitek didn’t put up the flashy batting averages against Rivera that we see from many of the players in this lineup, he did some damage. Varitek hit .286 against Rivera, but his ten hits against the Hall of Fame reliever were second only to David Ortiz and his eight RBI second only to Manny Ramirez (some pretty potent company in those two). In 2005, Varitek faced Rivera four times and delivered a home run and two singles. Varitek’s line against Rivera would have looked little better if not for 2009 season, when the 37-year-old backstop faced Rivera three times and fanned all three. (Varitek has two singles in seven post-season at bats versus Rivera.)
Jason Varitek played 15 MLB seasons (1997-2011), all with the Red Sox. He was a three-time All Star and hit .256, with 193 home runs and 757 RBI in 1,546 games. Varitek hit 20 or more home runs in three seasons and drove in 70 or more runs in four.
Jason Varitek’s Best Season: From BBRT’s perspective, Varitek’s best season was 2004, when he hit .296-18-73 and even swiped ten bases.
A Good Luck Charm …
Jason Varitek is one of only two catchers to catch four no-hitters. (The other is Carlos Ruiz.)
First Base – Rafael Palmeiro
Making Contact
Rafael Palmeiro faced Mariano Rivera 30 times during the regular seasons and never went down on strikes – the most plate appearances against River for any batter who didn’t take a “K.”
Rafael Palmeiro’s eight hits off Mariano Rivera tied for the fourth-most among opposing batters and his two home runs tied for the most off “Mo.” While he hit .333 off the Yankee closer, Palmeiro’s six walks gave him an on-base percentage of .467 tying for the eighth-highest.
Palmeiro played 29 MLB seasons (1986-2005 … Cubs, Rangers, Orioles), putting up a .288-569-1,835 stat line. The four-time All Star hit 30+ home runs in 10 seasons (40+ in four of those campaigns) and drove in 100+ runs in ten seasons. He was also a three-time Gold Glover. In the post-season, Palmeiro faced Rivera four times and went one-for-three with a walk. Rivera also got that elusive strikeout against Palmeiro, fanning Palmeiro once in the post-seasons.
Hmmm?
In 1999, Palmeiro won his third consecutive Gold Glove at first base, despite starting just 28 games at the position (and 128 sit DH). It’s the fewest defensive games ever for a Gold Glover.
Rafael Palmeiro’s Best Season: In 1999, Palmeiro (Rangers) hit .324, with 47 home runs and 148 RBI.
Honorable Mention(s): Aubrey Huff was a solid candidate for this spot, hitting .400 versus Mariano Rivera with his eight safeties (tied for fourth against the ace reliever) and four RBI (tied) for eighth. Huff’s two home runs off Rivera are tied for the most of any player. Huff, however, didn’t started only four games at 1B against Rivera (he also started three times in the OF, five at 3B and eight at DH in games he eventually faced Mo). Huff could be a utility man on this squad. BBRT also looked at Mo Vaughn (.417-1-4 against Rivera in 12 at bats) and Jeff Conine (.357-1-5 in 14 at bats), but Palmeiro’s six walks (versus no whiffs) gave him a slight edge.
Second Base – Roberto Alomar
Between June 28, 1996 and May 1, 2000, Roberto Alomar faced Mariano Rivera seven times (in seven games) and got on base every time – three doubles, two singles and two walks. The string was broken when Alomar was called on to drop down a sacrifice bunt against Rivera May 3, 2000. At that point, Alomar was six-for-seven with two walks against Rivera in his career.
Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar played 17 MLB seasons (1988-2004 … Blue Jays, Padres, Indians, Orioles, Mets, White Sox Diamondbacks). He hit an even .300, with 210 home runs, 1,134 RBI and 1,508 runs scored and 474 steals. The 12-time All Star was also a ten-time Gold Glover. Alomar hit 20 or more home runs in three seasons, drove in 100 or more runs twice, stole 30 or more bases in eight seasons (a high of 55 in 1993) and scored 100 or more run six times.
Like Brother … Like Brother
The Alomar brothers (Roberto and Sandy, Jr.) did pretty well against Mariano Rivera, each going five-for-eleven (.455) in their careers against The Sandman – with five of their ten hits going for extra bases (all doubles). In addition, Sandy Alomar hit one of only two post-season home runs hit against Rivera (Game Four, 1997 ALDS). The other post-season dinger off Rivera came in Game Two of the 2000 World Series (Mets/Yankees). It was a ninth-inning three-run shot off the bat of Jay Payton. (Despite Payton’s heroics, the Yankees won 6-5.)
Third Base – Bill Mueller
Bill Mueller hit .455 against Rivera and his one long ball against the New York closer was one of just five walk-off homers Rivera gave up in his career. Mueller was one for six versus Rivera in the post-season.
Bill Mueller played 11 MLB seasons (1996-2006 … Giants, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers). He hit .291, with 85 home runs and 493 RBI over that span. While he never made an All Star team, Mueller did win the American League batting crown with a .326 average for the Red Sox in 2003.
Bill Mueller’s Best Season: In 2003, Mueller hit .326-19-85 – all career highs. (Mueller did hit .330 as a Giants rookie in 1996, but only played in 55 games.)
A Grand Day at the Plate …
A switch hitter, Bill Mueller is the only MLB player to hit a Grand Slam from both sides of the plate in the same game. Mueller, with the Red Sox, slammed a bases-loaded homer (right-handed) off Aaron Fultz in the seventh inning and another (left-handed) off Jay Powell in the eighth. He also hit a solo shot off R.A. Dickey in the third. For the day, Mueller was three-for-nine, with three runs scored and nine RBI.
Shortstop – Nomar Garciaparra
Nomar Garciaparra went seven-for-eighteen (.389) against Mariano Rivera, with his seven hits tying for the tenth-most against Rivera.
Garciaparra played in 14 MLB seasons (1996-2009 …Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, A’s). For his career, he hit .313-229-936. The six-time All Star (and 1997 AL Rookie of the Year) was nearly unstoppable in 1999 and 2000, winning batting titles in each year. Over those two seasons, he played in 275 games for the red Sox and hit .365, with 48 home runs and 200 RBI. In addition to his two batting titles, Garciaparra led the league in doubles once and triples once. He collected 100+ RBI in four seasons and scored 100+ runs in six. He also hit 20 or more home runs in seven campaigns and hit over .300 in eight seasons. Garciaparra hit .321-7-24 in 32 post-season games – although he was just one-for-five against Mariano in the post-season.
The Old College Try, and Then Some …
While playing for the Georgia Tech Wildcats, Nomar Garciaparra was a two-time All American (1993 & 1994).
Honorable Mention: Omar Vizquel hit .375 (six-for-sixteen) against Rivera in the regular season.
Outfield – Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro Suzuki hit Mariano Rivera at a .385 pace (5-for-13) and, as you might expect. most of those safeties were singles. Suzuki did, however, hit one of five regular-season, walk-off home runs off Mariano. It came on September 18, 2009, with the Mariners trailing the Yankees 2-1, with two outs and one on (Mike Sweeney) in the bottom of the ninth. Suzuki ended the game, taking River’s first pitch to him over the right field fence.
A Hitting Machine …
Ichiro Suzuki collected an MLB-record 262 hits in 2004.
Ichiro Suzuki played 19 MLB seasons (2001-20019 … Mariners, Yankees, Marlins). For his career, he hit .311 (3,089 hits), with 117 home runs, 780 RBI, 1,420 runs scored and 509 stolen bases. He won a pair of batting titles and hit over .300 in 11 seasons. Suzuki, a ten-time All Star also led the AL in hits seven times – collecting 200+ hits in ten (consecutive) seasons. He was also the recipient of ten Gold Gloves. In the post-season, Suzuki went one-for-two versus Rivera (a double).
Ichiro Suzuki’s Best Season: In 2004 (mariners), Suzuki won the batting title (.372), collected 262 hits, poked eight home runs, drove in 60, scored 101 and stole 36 bases.
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Outfield – Magglio Ordonez
Magglio Ordonez hit .500 against Mariano Rivera (7-for-14) and also never struck out against The Sandman. From 2006 to 2008, he came up against Mariano four times and collected two doubles and two singles.
Ordonez played 15 MLB seasons (1997-2011 … White Sox Tigers) – going .309-294-1,236. He was a six-time All Star and won the 2007 batting title (Detroit) with a .363 average. That same year he led the AL with 54 doubles. Ordonez hit 30 or more home runs in four seasons and drove in 100+ in seven.
A Two-for-One Deal?
Magglio Ordonez is one of 56 MLB players to hit two home runs in one inning. He did in the second inning of a Tigers’ 11-6 win over the A’s on August 12, 2007. In the game, Ordonez was two-for-three, with two walks, two runs scored and four RBI.
Magglio Ordonez’ Best Season: In 2007, Ordonez hit .363-28-130, collected 216 hits, scored 117 runs and led the AL with 54 doubles.
Outfield – Manny Ramirez
At first glance, I didn’t expect to be putting Manny Ramirez in this line. After all, he only hit .205 versus Mariano Rivera and his 13 strikeouts were the most of any batter against “Mo” (as were his 39 at bats). But, then again, Ramirez’ eight hits tied for the fourth-most against Rivera and his nine regular season RBI led all batters. Ramirez really “learned” his way into this lineup, by figuring Rivera out. In Ramirez’ first 13 plate appearances against Rivera (1995-2000), he was 0-for-12 (one run-scoring sacrifice fly), with seven strikeouts. Then on April 12, 2001, Ramirez poked a walk-off, game-winning, two-run single off Rivera and the tide seem to change. In Ramirez’ final 31 plate appearances (2001-2010) against The Sandman, Ramirez went 8-for-27 (.296), with three walks, one hit-by-pitch, two “safe-on-error” and six strikeouts.
Manny Ramirez played 19 MLB seasons (1993-2011 … Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers, Rays, White Sox – putting up a .312-555-1,831 line. He was a 12-time All Star and one-time batting champion, He also led the AL in home runs and RBI once each. He hit 30 or more home runs in 12 seasons (five seasons over 40), drove in 100+ runs in 12 times, scored 100+ runs six times and hit .300 or better in a dozen campaigns.
Manny Ramirez’ Best Season: In 1999 (Indians), Ramirez hit .313, with 44 home runs, 165 RBI and 131 runs scored.
Ramirez hit .285-29-78 in 111 Post-season games. Ramirez was three-for-eigt in the post-season versus Rivera.
Manny Being Manny?
Manny Ramirez’ 29 post-season home runs are the most all-time; his 78 RBI second; his 223 total bases second (tie); his 67 runs third; and his 19 post-season doubles fifth (tie).
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Who’s Your Daddy? The Inspiration.
On September 24, 2004, in the middle of a tight pennant race, the Yankees handed future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez and the Boston Red Sox a tough 6-4 loss. Martinez went 7 1/3 innings giving up nine hits and five earned runs. The game came just five days after (in his previous start) Martinez had lasted just five frames against the Bronx Bombers (eight hits, eight earned runs) in a 16-7 loss.
After that second loss, Martinez candidly commented, “What can I say? I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy.” Little did he know that his comment – and a Yankee fans’ chant of “Who’s your daddy?” would follow him into future starts in New York (all the way to his final MLB start – against the Yankees for the Phillies – in Game Six of the 2009 World Series.)
The concept of “Who’s your daddy?” became the inspiration for Baseball Roundtable to take a look at the players who “had the number” of some of MLB’s premier pitchers. Again, you can find links to the previous “editions” of “Who’s Your Daddy?” near the top of this post.
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