A Bit of Irony<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n in his 12-season MLB career, Roger Maris had only one season in which he did not draw a single intentional walk. That was in 1961, when he won his second consecutive AL MVP Award,\u00a0 broke Babe Ruth\u2019s \u00a0long-standing single-season home run record \u2013 bashing 61 long balls – and led \u00a0the American League in runs scored (132) and RBI (141 \u2013 tied with Jim Gentile). It clearly didn\u2019t hurt to be batting in front of Mickey Mantle.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Now, I\u2019ve written about intentional walks (and specifically about Roger Maris\u2019 1961 lack thereof) in this blog before, but (as often happens) as I reflected that topic, one thing led to another<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 and I decided to rate the six bases-loaded intentional walks in MLB history.\u00a0 The rating is based on factors such the intensity and outcome of each.\u00a0 For example, a bases-loaded intentional \u00a0pass that moves the tying run to third base would be worth more than one that puts the tying run on at first base.\u00a0 Similarly, a bases-loaded free pass with no outs (so three batters must be retired to escape with no further damage) would be worth more than a bases-loaded walk with two outs already recorded (given a similar situation in relation to the score).\u00a0 Results also played a role, with extra credit if the strategy worked.<\/p>\n Nothing Like Few Walks in the Park<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Cubs’ Andre Dawson drew an MLB-record five intentional passes in a 16-inning game on May 22, 1990.\u00a0 (Roger Maris still holds a share of the AL record at four.) The Giants\u2019 Barry Bonds is the only MLB player with four intentional passes in a nine-inning contest \u2013 and he did it twice in 2004 (May 1 and September 22). The record for total walks of any kind in a game of any length is six: Cubs\u2019 Walt Wilmot (August 22, 1891 \u2013 nine innings); Red Sox\u2019 Jimmie Foxx (June 16, 1938 \u2013 nine innings); Nationals\u2019 Bryce Harper (May 8, 2016 \u2013 13 innings); Indians\u2019 Andre Thornton (May 2, 1984 \u2013 16 innings); Astros\u2019 Jeff Bagwell August 20, 1999 \u2013 16 innings).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n –<\/strong>———–Rating the Bases-Loaded Intentional Walks—————<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Note:\u00a0 In this post, BBRT assumes credit\/responsibility for implementing the Intentional Walk rests with the manager(s) – even if the pitcher(s) may (or may not) agree with the move.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Number one (Tie)\u00a0 … Del Bissonette, Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers),\u00a0 May 2, 1928<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This one is at the top for the willingness to allow a run in a two-run game and move the tying tally to third base (and go-ahead run to second) – and delivering the win.<\/p>\n Load ‘Em Up, I’m Ready<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Del Bissonette is credited with (on April 21, 1930) being the first MLB player to hit a bases-loaded home run and a bases-loaded triple in the same game.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number One (tied) … Barry Bonds, Giants, May 28, 1998<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photo by kevinrushforth<\/a> The Giants trailed the Diamondbacks 8-5\u00a0 in the bottom of the ninth with Gregg Olson on the mound. Olson fanned CF Darryl Hamilton on three pitches \u00a0to open the frame, then walked 3B Bill Mueller on four pitches, before giving up a double to 2B \u00a0Jeff Kent (Mueller to third) and walking 1B \u00a0Charlie Hayes\u00a0 to load the bases.\u00a0 Olson then got RF Stan Javier to ground out (second-to-first) with Mueller scoring and Kent and Hayes each moving up a base.\u00a0 \u00a0J.T Snow then came on as a pinch hitter and drew a five-pitch walk again loading the bases.\u00a0 Now, up by two\u00a0 runs,\u00a0 manager Buck Showalter ordered Olson to intentionally walk Barry Bonds\u00a0 (who had drawn an unintentional \u00a0walk as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and stayed in the game in LF) \u2013 forcing in a run and putting the tying \u00a0tally at third base and the go-ahead run at second. Olson then got C\u00a0 Brent Mayne on a liner to right-center to end the contest and give the Diamondback an 8-7 win.\u00a0 Bonds was hitting .305-13-41 at the time, while Mayne was no slouch at\u00a0 .290-2-12 coming into the game.<\/p>\n Top of the List<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Barry Bonds led his league in Intentional Walks a record 12 times – the last time in his final season, at age 42.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number Three … Napoleon Lajoie, Philadelphia Athletics, May 23, 1901<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Nap Lajoie\u2019s Athletics were down 11-7 to the White Sox in the top of the ninth inning, when they mounted a comeback \u2013 loading the bases with none out and bringing cleanup hitter 2B Napoleon Lajoie \u2013 who came into the game hitting .525 and was on his way to a\u00a0 .426-14-125 triple crown\u00a0 season \u2013 to the plate. White Sox player-manager Clark Griffith put himself into the game and intentionally \u00a0walked Lajoie, forcing in a run and cutting the lead to three. Griffith then got RF Socks Seybold (who would lead the AL in home runs in 1902) and 1B Harry Davis (who would lead the league in round trippers four times \u00a0in his career) on ground outs (one run scoring) to save an 11-9 win.\u00a0 This intentional \u00a0walk got extra points for the courage of manager Griffith to take the responsibility on himself \u2013 and for setting up a situation in which the bases were loaded, the tying run was at first and he had to get three outs to save the game.<\/p>\n Clark Griffith … A Role(s) Player<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Clark Griffith managed the 1901 White Sox to an 83-53 record and first\u00a0 place in the National League. As a player-manager, he went 24-7, 2.67 on the mound and .303-2-14 (in 35 games) at the plate. .<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number Four … Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers, August 17, 2008<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This\u00a0 game\u00a0 saw RF Josh Hamilton and his Rangers trailing\u00a0 the rays 7-2 in the bottom of the ninth.\u00a0 With Juan Salas on the mound for Tampa, Rangers’ DH Jarrod Saltalamacchia opened the inning with a single, followed by a Chris Davis (1B)\u00a0 walk. Salas then fanned 3B Travis Metcalf on three pitches. before giving way to Grant Balfour on the mound. Balfour walked 2B Ramon Vazquez\u00a0 to load the bases, before getting LF Brandon Boggs to hit into a fielder\u2019s choicer (second-to-shortstop) with one run scoring. A walk to SS Michael Young loaded the bases \u2013 and Devil Rays ‘manager Joe Maddon ordered Hamilton intentionally walked,\u00a0 pushing across another run, putting the tying run at first base and bringing\u00a0 Dan Wheeler in from the bullpen. Wheeler ended the game by fanning Marlon Byrd on five pitches.\u00a0 Hamilton has come into the game hitting .302 with 28 homers and 112 RBI, while Byrd came in at .290-8-34.<\/p>\n Going Four-for-Two<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Josh Hamilton is one of just eighteen MLB players to hit four home runs in a single game. He did it on May 8, 2012 – hitting four two-run home runs and a double in five at bats as his Rangers topped the Orioles 10-3.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number 5 … Bill Nicholson, Cubs, July 23, 1944 (second game)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Giants led the Cubs 10-7 in the top of the eighth inning, but the Cubs were mounting a comeback. Giants’ righty Ace Adams (on in relief of Bill Voiselle) walked Cubs’ 3B\u00a0 Stan Hack and SS Bill Schuster to open\u00a0 the inning \u2013 and was replaced on the mound by southpaw Ewald Pyle, who issued an unintentional walk to 1B Phil Cavarretta to load the bases. That brought up RF and cleanup hitter Bill Nicholson \u2013 who was having quite a\u00a0 day. In the first game of the Sunday twin bill (remember those), Nicholson had banged out three home runs (three homers and a walk for the game)\u00a0 as the Cubs won 7-4.\u00a0\u00a0 He had already homered in the second inning the second game (his 21st of the season) and Giants’manager Mel Ott wanted no part of the hot hitter. Ewald issued the free pass, plating one run.\u00a0 Ewald was then replaced by right-hander Andy Hansen who retired LF\u00a0 Ival Goodman (holding the runners) and then hit CF Andy Pafko with a pitch, bringing in the second run of the inning and keeping the sacks full. 2B Don Johnson then grounded into a force at second,\u00a0 plating another run \u2013 and tying the contest. Righty Bob Barthelson came in to pitch and got PH Billy Holm on a pop out to at least preserve the tie. \u00a0The Giants scored twice in the top of the ninth and won the game 12-10. The bases-loaded free pass, however, did not stop the Cubs from tying the game.<\/p>\n Taking the Lead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Bill Nicholson led the National League in home runs and RBI in both 1943 and 1944 … finishing second and third, respectively, in the NL Most Valuable voting in those years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number Six … Abner Dalrymple, Chicago White Stockings (NL), August 2, 1881<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The White Stockings, already up \u00a05-0 over the Buffalo Bisons, opened the eighth inning\u00a0 by loading the bases on consecutive hits by P Fred Goldsmith, C Silver Flint and 2B Joe Quest. Bisons\u2019 manager Jim O’Rourke (presumably) wanted nothing to do with Dalrymple (on his way to a .323 season and the 1878 NL batting champ) and had Joe Flinch walk him intentionally – forcing in a run.\u00a0 The White Sox eventually won the contest 11-2. The intentional pass was of little consequence in the outcome, but is generally accepted as the first IBB with the sacks full in MLB history.<\/p>\n Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On July 3, 1883, Abner Dalrymple hit four doubles in a nine-inning game tying an MLB single-game record that he still shares.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Barry Bonds – King of the Intentional Walk<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Notably, when you talk intentional walks, the conversation pretty much starts and ends Barry Bonds. (We need to keep in mind, however, that IBB\u2019s did not become an official statistic until 1955.)\u00a0\u00a0 Bonds holds the records for:<\/p>\n Primary Resources: Baseball-Almanac.com; Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com. Note:\u00a0 The Baseball-Almanac Resource included information from research by Bill Deane, Everett Parker and Trent McCotter.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:\u00a0 The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n ______________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Bissonette.jpg\")
<\/a>The Dodgers trailed the Giants 2-0 in the top of the ninth inning, when they loaded the bases with two outs (thanks to a pair of singles and a walk). That brought up 1B and number-six hitter Del Bissonette, who had come into the game hitting .345-4-15 (in 15 games). Manager John McGraw had Giants\u2019 pitcher Larry Benton intentionally walk Bissonette, cutting the margin to one run. Benton then pitched to 2B Henry Riconda, who came into the contest with a .220 average and just one home run. While the IBB cost him a shutout, the strategy worked, as Benton went on to fan Riconda to end the game and get the win. Benton, by \u00a0the way, had his best MLB season in 1928 (his sixth MLB campaign), leading the league in wins (25 versus nine losses), winning percentage (.735) and complete games (28) \u2013 with a 2.73 ERA.\u00a0 He pitched 13 MLB seasons, going 128-128, 4.03. The other principal in this mini-drama, Bissonette, played five MLB \u00a0seasons, going .305-66-391 in 604 games.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/small><\/p><\/div>\n\n
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