In 1952, the Brooklyn Dodgers won the National League pennant – going 96-57-2 behind a lineup that included such stars as Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese and Carl Furillo. They faced the fourth-place Phillies with Robin Roberts on the hill, six times. Roberts won all six matchups, threw six complete games, allowing just 16 earned runs (2.67 ERA). In Phillies/Dodgers games Roberts did not pitch that season, Brooklyn went 10-6.
In this post, the 15th in the Baseball Roundtable “Who’s Your Daddy?” series, we’ll look at a Baseball Roundtable-selected lineup that performed exceptionally well against Hall of Famer Robin Roberts over their careers. Not surprisingly, the starting nine includes eight Hall of Famers. More on that later, but first a look at what “Who’s Your Daddy?” is all about.
Who’s Your Daddy – A Baseball Roundtable Series
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 at 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. We’ve looked at pitchers from a wide range of eras – from Bob Feller to Nolan Ryan to Max Scherzer.
Before we get started on this edition, here are links to the previous editions of this series. Please note: For still active pitchers, the stats are as they stood on the date of the post.
- 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.
- Mariano Rivera, click here.
- Warren Spahn, click here.
- For Lefty Grove, click here.
- For Steve Carlton, click here.
I should note there’s not many surprises in this edition of “Whose Your Daddy?” Nothing like how Will Clark owned Nolan Ryan, Jerry Lynch’s .714 average versus Sandy Koufax or Junior Spivey’s six hits, one walk and one HBP in his first seven plate appearances versus Greg Maddux. This lineup is loaded with Hall of Famers; those you expect might do well against an exceptional moundsman.
Also, in this “Who’s Your Daddy?” post, I will diverge a bit from tradition. I would like to both look at the lineup whose numbers seem to indicate they had Roberts’ number and also make my case for Roberts being among the game’s most underrated pitchers (despite being in the Hall of Fame).
Robin Roberts enjoyed a 19-season MLB career (1948-66 … Phillies, Orioles, Astros, Cubs) – with 14 of those campaigns in a Phillies’ uniform. Roberts was a seven-time All Star, who won 20 or more games in six consecutive seasons (1950-55).
The Fabulous ‘50s
From 1950-59, Robin Roberts went 199-149, 3.32.). During that period, his Phillies went 767-773-8. In those ten seasons, Roberts threw 3,011 2/3 innings. Yes, for a decade he averaged over 300 innings pitched per season. He also tossed 237 complete games and 30 shutouts. From 1950-55 (six seasons), Roberts led the NL in wins four times, starts six times, complete games four times, innings pitched five times and strikeouts twice.
Roberts wrapped up his career with a 286-245, 3.41 stat line, with 305 complete games and 45 shutouts. He is in MLB’s top 50 all-time in wins (28th); innings pitched (4,688 2/3 – 21st); games started (609 – 20th); complete games (38th); and shutouts (29th). Just to be fair on stats, he also led the league in home runs allowed five times and is second all-time in home runs allowed (505).
Robin Roberts won three varsity letters in basketball at Michigan State, serving as captain of the team for two seasons.
Roberts’ best season was 1952, when he won an MLB-best 28 games (seven losses), put up a 2.59 ERA (third-best in the NL), led MLB in starts (37), complete games (30); and innings pitched (330). In August and September of that season, he appeared in 14 games (13 starts); going 12-1, 2.83 (with one save). Over those two months, he tossed 12 complete games, including a 17-inning outing against the Braves on September 6.
I Like to Finish What I Start
From August 28, 1952 through July 5 1953, Robin Roberts completed 28 consecutive starts.
So, why do I think Roberts is underrated and should be counted among the all-time greats? Let me make my case.
Consider the fact that Roberts won 136 more games than Sandy Koufax. Of course, Koufax career was cut short (arm issues) – just 12 seasons to Roberts’ 19. (I would maintain that Roberts 3,000+ inning workload in the 1950s had an impact on his arm and performance in the 1960s.) So, how about the best four seasons for Koufax and Roberts? For Koufax that would be his final four campaigns (1963-1966). In that period, Koufax won three Cy Young Awards and one MVP Award and was generally considered baseball’s best pitcher (some say the best ever). Roberts’ four peak years would be 1952-55. Let’s compare.
- Koufax made 150 starts and won 97 games; Roberts made 154 starts and won an identical 97 games (Koufax did have 15 fewer losses).
- Koufax led the NL in wins in three of those four seasons; Roberts led the NL in victories in all four of his peak seasons.
- Koufax led the NL in strikeouts in three of the four seasons; Roberts in two of his four. (Koufax did have three 300+ strikeout seasons).
- Koufax led in complete games twice; Roberts in all four of his peak seasons.
- Koufax led in innings pitched twice, Roberts four times.
- Koufax led in shutouts three times; Roberts did not lead in shutouts in any of his top four.
- Koufax led in games started once, Roberts in all four.
- Koufax led in ERA four times; Roberts none.
Now, before anyone goes on the offensive, I am not saying Robin Roberts’ “peak four” matched Koufax, only that when you talk about MLB’s best pitchers, they should be discussed in the same paragraph. Clearly, you have to acknowledge, Koufax’s 1.86 ERA and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings over his top four (as compared to 3.18 and 4.7 for Roberts. (But then again, how about Roberts 118 complete games to Koufax’s 89?)
This Kind of Surprised Me
Hall of Famer Greg Maddux was noted for challenging hitters – making them earn their way on base and not wasting a pitch. Over his career, Maddux walked just 1.80 batters per nine innings. Roberts was even stingier at 1.73.
Let me take my argument in favor of Roberts being underrated a bit further. How about Bob Gibson? In his 17-season MLB career (1959-75, Gibson won 251 games (174 losses); was a five-time twenty-game winner; led the league in ERA once, wins once, complete games once and strikeouts once. Now, Roberts did play two more seasons than Gibson, so let’s just look at Roberts’ first 17 campaigns. Roberts won 271 games (20 more than Gibson) in his first 17 campaigns (although he did have 54 more losses); won 20 or more games six times to Gibson’s five; led the league wins four times to Gibson’s once; never led the NL in ERA to Gibson’s one ERA title; led in compete games five times to Gibson’s once; and led in strikeouts twice to Gibson’s once. Gibson did have a notable edge in ERA – 2.91 to 3.40 (again, over 17 seasons) and in strikeouts per nine innings 3,117 (7.2 per 9 innings) to 2,357 (4.5 per 9 innings). Still, I would maintain, Gibson and Roberts belong in the same sentence – particularly when talking about how they measured up against their peers.
Side note: I received Joe Posnanski’s latest book “The Baseball 100” for Christmas (it was at the top of my list). I was pleased to read that Posnanski also sees Roberts as underrated and suggests he “belongs in every discussion of the greatest pitchers ever.” By the way, if “The Baseball 100” is not in your library already, I highly recommend you add it.
A final note: If I had to vote for the greatest pitcher of all time, I’d most likely go with Walter Johnson.
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He (Robin Roberts) looks like the kind of pitcher you can’t wait to swing at, but you swing and the ball isn’t where you thought it was.
Hall of Famer Willie Stargell
Now, let’s take a look at the Robin Robert’s “Who’s Your Daddy?” lineup. One bit of explanation here. This is a “weighted” ranking. Doing well against Roberts in the 1950s is counted more heavily than raking against him in the 1960s. Why? Consider:
- From 1950 through 1959, Roberts went 199-149; averaging 19.9 wins, 23.7 complete games; 301 innings pitched per season.
- From 1960 through his final season (1966), Roberts went 53-56, 3.49 … averaging 8.8 wins, eight complete games and 177 2/3 inning pitched per year. (Did all those innings catch up to him?)
I will drop in the occasional “Better Late Than Never” player this post, acknowledging those who performed exceptional well versus Roberts in the latter part of his career,
Better Late Than Never Prime Example – Manny Jimenez
Kansas City Athletics’ outfielder Manny Jimenez (he also played for the Pirates and Cubs) is the perfect example of a “Better Late Than Never” player for this Robin Roberts’ post. Jimenez was a .217 career hitter (1962-64, 1966-69). Jimenez faced Roberts 28 times in his career (all in the 1962-64 time period). He went 13-for-27 against him – and that .481 average is the highest for any player with at least 25 careers at bats versus Roberts. Jimenez also had three home runs and six RBI in 10 games versus Roberts – and struck out just once.
Two Sides of the Coin
The Twins’ Sandy Valdespino played just two games against Roberts – May 6 & 31, 1965. In four plate appearances he recorded three singles and a walk – the most plate appearances and at bats of any batter never retired by Roberts. On the other side of the coin. Cubs’ outfielder Jim Bolger faced Roberts nine times (1955-58) and – although he fanned only once, in his very first plate appearance versus Roberts – he never reached base safely against him His nine plate appearances are the most of any batter with a .000 batting average and on-base percentage versus Roberts
Finally, that lineup, the best (judged somewhat subjectively) lineup against Robin Roberts. N0te: Game logs (via Baseball-Reference.com are not complete (particularly pre-1955). I have noted instances were logs are missing from the records.
Catcher – Roy Campanella … 13 home runs in 56 games
Hall of Famer Roy Campanella – a star in the Negro Leagues (.322 average from 1937-45) – broke into the National League in 1948 (the 21-year-old Roberts rookie season). Campy handled Roberts pretty well over his first three seasons, touching him up for a .341 average, with four home runs and nine RBI in 15 games. Roberts caught up with Campanella a bit after that – holding him to a .247 career average against him. However, Campanella continued to be a thorn in terms of power and pressure. His 13 career home runs against Roberts are the third-most by any opponent and his 30 RBI are tied for fifth.
In his first at bat against Roberts, Roy Campanella struck out swinging. In his next 14 plate appearances against him (over two seasons), Campanella went seven for ten, with three doubles, one home run, four walks and one more whiff.
Roy Campanella played 18 MLB seasons (1937-45 – Negro Leagues; 1948-1957 – National League). He was a three-time Negro League All Star and an eight-time National League All Star. He was also a three-time NL MVP. In 1942, while with the Baltimore Elite Giants, he led the Negro National League in batting average, runs scored, doubles, runs batted in and walks. His best season was in 1953 (Brooklyn Dodgers), when he hit .312, with 41 home runs and a league-topping 142 RBI. His final major league stat line was .283-260-1,017.
You Can Count on Me
Roy Campanella was on the field for a Robin Roberts’ “big moment.” It was the final day (October 1) of the 1950 season. The Dodgers (89-64) were facing the Phillies (90-63). A Dodgers’s win would force a playoff for the pennant, a Phillies win gave them the crown. The Dodgers went with big Don Newcombe, an All Star in 1949 and 1950 and 19-10, 3.71 coming into the game. The Phillies went with Robin Roberts (a 1950 All Star), who was 19-11, 3.06 coming into the contest. On hitch, however, it was Roberts third start in five days. How did he do under immense pressure and on short rest? Roberts tossed a ten-inning complete game, giving up just five nits and one run, as the Phillies won the game (and the pennant), by a 4-1 score.
Honorable Mentions: Joe Garagiola (a career .257 hitter) hit .449 versus Roberts (19 games). Five game logs are missing from Garagiola’s totals versus Roberts. Smokey Burgess went .337-5-10, with six walks and just one strikeout in 33 games (90 plate appearances) versus Roberts. Bill Sarni enjoyed a five-season MLB career (1951-51, 1954-56 …. Cardinals & Giants) right in the midst of Robin Roberts’ prime. A .263 career hitter (in 390 games), Sarni hit .342 (13-for 38), with four home runs and six RBI in 11 games versus Roberts (two games are missing from the game logs).
First Base – Stan Musial … .384 average
Over his career, Stan Musial hit .331, with a .417 on-base percentage and a .559 slugging percentage. Against Roberts, he bettered those number in all categories – .384, .432, .680, respectively. Musial collected the most hits and most doubles against Roberts of any player and was tied for fourth in triples and second in RBI. Note: 10 game logs are missing from Stan Musial’s totals versus Roberts.
In Roberts’ six peak year -1950-55 – when he won 20 or more games every season and led the NL in wins four times (putting up an overall 138-78, 2.93 record) – Musial hit .395 against him, hitting over .400 against him in four of those campaigns.
In 220 plate appearances versus Roberts, Musial struck out only 12 times. Musial faced Roberts in 13 seasons and hit .400 or better against him seven of them. From Opening Day 1955 through September 8, 1959, Musial faced Roberts 74 times and struck out once.
A Big Day for The Man
On June 22, 1955, Robin Roberts and his Phillies faced the Cardinals in St. Louis. In that game, Musial hit a two-run home run in his first at bat, a solo home run in his second at bat, ground out in his third at bat and tripled in his fourth and final at bat. Roberts, by the way came into the game with a 9-6, 2.32 record on the season. Notably, Roberts went the distance in a 9-6 Phillies win (despite giving up three homers and four runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Stan Musial played in 22 MLB seasons (1941-44, 1946-63), all for the Cardinals. He was an All Star in 20 seasons, a seven-time batting champ (he hit under .300 in only four seasons). He led the NL in runs scored five times, hits six times, doubles eight times (three times collecting 50 or more), triples five times (twice reaching 20), RBI twice, walks once and total bases six times. He was a three-time MVP. His best season was 1948, when he went .376-39-131 – leading the NL in average, RBI, runs, doubles, triples, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and total bases.
Honorable Mentions: Soon-to-be-inducted Hall of Famer Gil Hodges hit .285-10-31 against Roberts in 73 games. The ten long balls are the sixth-most against Roberts, the 31 RBI tie for second and his 65 hits are third. Bill White faced Robert 41 times and went .378-4-13. While 12 of White’s 41 plate appearances against Roberts came after 1959, his pre-1960 numbers against him were .393-2-7 in eight games.
Trivia Tidbit: Stan Musial had 1,815 career hits at home and 1,815 career hits on the road.
Better Late Than Never
Willie McCovey hit .452 versus Robin Roberts in 12 games from 1959-1966. In his very first game against Roberts (July 30, 1959), he went four-for -four, with two singles and two triples, three runs scored and two RBI. Three of McCovey’s 14 career hits against Roberts went for extra bases – and all three were triples. He drove in total of five runs versus Roberts. Thanks to Roundtable Reader Jerry Stever for the comment that led to this “Better Late Than Never” addition.
Second Base (tie) – Bill Mazeroski … .324 average; Jackie Robinson … nine home runs
Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski was a career .260 hitter with a Golden Glove (eight of them, actually) at second base. He fared better at the plate against Robin Roberts, compiling a .324 average, with three home runs and seven RBI in 29 games. In eight seasons against Roberts, Mazeroski hit over .300 six times and struck out just four times in 80 plate appearances.
Off to a Good Start
In his first game against Robin Roberts (August 16, 1956), Bill Mazeroski went three-for-three with two singles and a home run – as the Pirates topped the Philllies 4-1 in Philadelphia. Mazeroski was a rookie and Roberts was in ninth season (and had led the NL in wins the four previous campaigns).
Mazeroski played 17 MLB seasons (2,163 games), going .260-138-853. He was an All Star in seven seasons. His best season was 1958, when he hit .275, with 19 home runs and 68 RBI (and won his first Gold Glove). Mazeroski makes this lineup by virtue of hitting 64 points above his career average versus Roberts.
Jackie Robinson hit below his .313 career average versus Roberts, but he made it here on the basis of his power and impact. His nine home runs tied for the seventh-most against Roberts, while his 21 RBI are 12th.
Hall of Famer Robinson played in eleven MLB seasons (1945, Kansas City Monarchs …. 1947-56 Brooklyn Dodgers). In 1945, he hit .375 and led the Negro American League in doubles (13), home runs (4) and on-base percentage (.449). With the Dodgers, he led the National League in stolen bases twice and won the NL batting championship with a .342 average in 1949. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1947 and the League MVP in 1949. His best season was clearly 1949, when he hit .342, with 203 hits, 122 runs scored, 38 doubles, 12 triples, 16 home runs, 124 RBI and a league-leading 37 steals. Robinson’s final stat line was .313-141-761, with 200 stolen bases and 972 runs scored.
Honorable Mention: Jim Gilliam faced Roberts 196 times (between 1953 and 1966). A .266 career hitter, Gilliam hit .311 versus Roberts (in 53 games). Gilliam’s 57 hits are seventh-most against Roberts by any batter.
Third Base – Eddie Mathews … 11 homers and 30 RBI
Eddie Mathews faced Roberts 203 times in his career. The .271 career hitter, hit .323 versus Roberts, with 11 home runs and 30 RBI. Mathew’s 11 round trippers ties for the fourth-most against Roberts; his 30 RBI are fifth; his 13 doubles fourth; and his four triples tie for fourth.
Not a Great Start … Especially for a Power Hitter
In Eddie Mathews’ first ten plate appearances against Robin Roberts, he tallied a bunt single, six fly outs and two strikeouts.
Mathews fanned 30 times against Roberts, second only to Duke Snider. Three games are missing from Mathew’s game logs versus Roberts.
Eddie, with an Exclamation Point
On June 5, 1955, as the Braves topped Roberts and the Philllies 5-4, Eddie Mathews (in five plate appearances) logged two home runs, a single and walk – with two runs scored and three RBI. Roberts, as always expected, went the full nine innings.
Mathews played 17 MLB seasons (1952-68 … Braves, Astros, Tigers). He was an All-Star in nine seasons, led the NL in home runs twice (topping forty long balls four times) and led in walks four times. He retired with a .271-512-1,453 stat line. His best season was 1953, when he went .302-47-135 for the Braves. In the nine seasons from 1953 through 1961, Mathews averaged 38 home runs and 104 RBI per year.
I’m a Travelin’ Man
Eddie Mathews is the only player to suit up for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta – although it was a close call. His stint as a Boston Brave encompassed only their final season in Boston (1952), while his Atlanta playing tenure included only the team’s first season in Georgia (1966). He did come back later to manage the Braves in Atlanta.
Why mention that here? A segue to the fact that Robin Roberts is the only pitcher to beat the Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves.
Honorable Mention: Ken Boyer faced Roberts 109 times and collected 31 hits (.304) , six home runs and 18 RBI (33 games … one game missing from the game logs). Boyer had a .287-282-1,141 line in 15 MLB seasons, was an All Star in seven seasons, a five-time Gold Glover and the 1964 NL MVP.
I think I’ll Stick Around and See How This Ends
On September 6, 1952, rookie Eddie Mathews and his Boston Braves faced Robin Roberts and the Phillies in Philadelphia. The Phillies trailed 6-1 going into the bottom of the eighth (with Roberts still on the mound), but tied it up in the bottom of the inning. Roberts shut the Braves out for nine more frames, getting a 7-6, 17-inning complete game win.
Shortstop – Ernie Banks … Fifteen home runs in 39 games
Only Duke Snider’s 19 home runs off Roberts outpaced the 15 long balls of Hall of Famer Ernie Banks – and Banks had exactly half as many plate appearances versus Roberts as Snider (Snider 260 – Banks 130). In addition, Banks 31 RBI versus Roberts are second only to Snider’s 50. Banks, a .274 career hitter, hit .339 against Roberts.
Welcome to the Batter’s Box – I Own It
Hit by Pitches were a rarity for Robin Roberts – just 54 in 4,688 2/3 innings (676 appearances). He did, however, hit Ernie Banks with a pitch the first time they faced off.
In 1957, Banks drove in ten runs in seven games versus Roberts. He had seven hits in those games – four home runs, two doubles and a single. In ten seasons versus Roberts, Banks hit .333 or better seven times (four times over .400).
Ernie Banks played 19 MLB seasons (1953-71) all for the Cubs. He hit .274, with 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI. He was an All Star in 11 seasons and won back-to-back NL MVP Awards in 1958-59. Banks led the NL in games played six times, home runs twice (topping forty homers in five seasons), and RBI twice. In the four seasons from 1957 through 1960, Banks averaged .293-44-123, with 196 runs scored and 15 steals per season.
Got a Streak Goin’
Between August 20, 1957 and June 4, 1958, Ernie Banks homered in three consecutive games versus Roberts – going five for seven with three home runs, one double, one single and seven RBI.
Honorable Mention: Dick Groat faced Roberts 101 times between 1952 and 1961 and picked up 31 hits (.320 average), with two home runs and six RBI (32 games … one game log missing). The five-time All Star and 1960 NL MVP was a career .286 hitter.
Bette Late Than Never
Yankee SS Tom Tresh faced Robin Roberts 38 times (12 games) between 1962-65 and touched him for 14 hits and three walks (.400 average), with four doubles a triple, one home run and four RBI.
Outfield – Duke Snider … 19 home runs and 50 RBI
Hall of Famer Duke Snider has to make this lineup. No one hit more home runs against Roberts than the Duke (19) and no one drove in more runs against him than Snider (50). Couple that with a .295 average – approximately double it to make up a 500 at bat season and a full Snider season against all Robin Roberts would be in the neighborhood of .295-40-100.
A Slow Starter
In his first three seasons versus Robin Roberts (1948-50), Duke Snider went eight-for 45 (.178 average). In his next 11 seasons versus Roberts, he hit .321.
In 1954, when Roberts went 23-15, 2.97 and led the NL in wins, starts, complete games, innings pitched, strikeouts and WHIP, Duke Snider hit .545 (12-for-22 against him), with two homers and seven RBI.
Hall of Famer Duke Snider played 18 seasons (1947-64 … Dodgers, Mets, Giants) and put up a .295-407-1,333 stat line. He led the league in runs scored three times (scoring 100 or more runs six times), led in home runs once (hitting 40 or more in five consecutive seasons … 1953-57), led his league in RBI once (topping 100 six times) and led the NL in total bases three times. He was an eight-time All Star.
Outfield – Walt Moryn … .362 average, 16 RBI in 26 games
Wow! The only non-Hall of Fame position player in this starting lineup, Walt Moryn is a bit of a surprise, edging such stars as Hank Aaron and Willie Mays for this spot. A .266 career hitter, Moryn (1954-61 … Dodgers, Cubs, Cardinals, Pirates) hit .362 against Roberts, with six home runs and 16 RBI.
BOOM!
In 1957-58, Walt Moryn went 16-for-40 (.400) versus Roberts with four home runs and nine RBI in 16 games).
Walt Moryn played eight MLB seasons and put up a .266-101-354 stat line. He hit 20-home runs in two seasons and posted a career high 88 RBI in 1957. He played in 100+ games in five seasons.
Outfield – Ralph Kiner … Eight home runs in 94 plate appearances
Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner’s eight home runs off Robin Roberts are the eleventh-most all time. However, Kiner accomplished the power feat in just 94 plate appearances. No one ahead of him on the list had fewer 125. In addition, Kiner’s 21 RBI versus Roberts ranked twelfth and, again, no one ahead of him has fewer than 125 plate appearances. Notably, in both cases, the player with 125 plate appearances is Hank Sauer – who had 11 homers and 22 RBI versus Roberts, but put up a .198 average against him. Eight game logs are missing from Ralph Kiner’s totals versus Roberts.
Kiner was a six-time All Star. He led the league in home runs seven times, walks three times, RBI once and runs scored once. In ten MLB seasons (1,472 games), he hit .279, with 369 home runs and 1,015 RBI. He hit 40 or more home runs in five seasons (50+ twice), drove in 100+ runs in six seasons and drew 100+ walks in six.
I’ll Just Hang on This, Thank You
Ralph Kiner led the NL in home runs as a rookie in 1946 – and repeated as home run champion in each of the next six seasons.
Kiner homered off Robin Roberts in every season he faced him (1948-54) except one – 1948, when he only appeared in one game against Roberts (he did hit a triple in that contest).
Honorable Mentions: Wally Moon, with a career stat line of .289-142-661, hit .344, with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 38 games versus Roberts (two games logs missing). Another Wally, Wally Post, played in 10 games against Roberts (1952-57 and 1960) and hit .350, with five home runs and 13 RBI.
Better Late than never
Jimmie Hall faced Roberts 34 times (10 games) between 1963 and 1965. He went 15-for-32 (.469) with three walks, four home runs and five RBI.
Pitcher (tie) – Johnny Podres and Warren Spahn
Johnny Podres faced Robin Roberts in nine games (15 plate appearances) and hit an even .400 against him. For his career, Podres was .190-2-50 at the plate (762 at bats). In 15 seasons on the mound, he was 148-116, .561. In the eight games he pitched against Roberts (Podres was used once as a pinch hitter against him), Podres went 3-3, 4.28; while Roberts went 2-2, 5.25. Trivia note: Podres finished his MLB playing career the Padres (5-6,4.31 in 1969). 
Warren Spahn hit a healthy .286 versus Roberts, with a home run and three RBI (in 14 games). Spahn was a career .194 hitter (in 2,056 plate appearances) over 21 seasons. His 35 career home runs are the third-most by a pitcher. He also had 57 doubles, six triples and 189 RBI. As pitcher, Spahn went 363-245, 3.09, leading the NL in wins eight times (winning 20 or more games in 13 seasons). In 13 mound matchups against Roberts, Spahn went 11-2, 1.88. In those matchups, Roberts went 3-8, 4.13. Trivia tidbit: Spahn had 363 wins and 363 base hits.
Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com
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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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