In the world of baseball, getting hit by a pitch (HBP) is a unique and often painful part of the game. Yet, for some players, it becomes an almost uncanny skill.
Ron Hunt’s 1971 season stands as a testament to this, with a staggering 50 HBPs, a record that remains unmatched. His ability to get plunked at a rate nearly 15 times higher than his National League peers is nothing short of extraordinary.
Hunt’s career total of 713 HBPs cements his legacy as baseball’s all-time HBP king. To put this into perspective, his 1971 HBP rate would be akin to hitting 175 home runs in a single season, a feat that dwarfs even the most prolific power hitters.