Hitting batters became a thing once pitchers began throwing overhand and moved to the current distance from the plate - 60 feet 6 inches. Before that pitchers threw underhand and batters could request a high or low pitch. Once pitchers began really throwing to get the hitter out, they increased the amount of batters they hit. By a lot.
Just because the all time leaders in hitting batters have these records didn't mean they were headhunters. Most players are not hit intentionally. But being hit today by a pitch at 100 MPH has a much better chance of injuring a batter than an 80 MPH changeup.
The pitcher who hit the most batters is not in the HOF but the 2nd and 3rd all time plunkers are HOFers named Johnson.
Intro & Outro music this season courtesy of Mercury Maid! Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!
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