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Define the statistic 'run batted in' (RBI) as awarded to a batter whose action directly results in a teammate scoring a run.
Answer: True
Explanation: The statistic 'run batted in' (RBI) is indeed awarded to a batter when their action directly causes a teammate to score a run, subject to specific exceptions outlined in the rules.
The statistic 'RBI' is sometimes informally referred to by nicknames such as 'ribby' or 'ribeye'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Informal appellations such as 'ribby,' 'ribbie,' 'rib,' or 'ribeye' are commonly used by enthusiasts to refer to the RBI statistic.
The standard English convention for the plural of RBI suggests 'RBI' itself can function as the plural.
Answer: False
Explanation: While 'RBI' can stand for 'runs batted in,' the standard English pluralization convention typically leads to 'RBIs' when referring to multiple instances of the statistic.
Articulate the definition of a 'run batted in' (RBI) within the domain of baseball and softball statistics.
Answer: A statistic awarded to a batter for an action that directly results in a teammate scoring a run, with specific exceptions.
Explanation: An RBI is credited to a batter when their action directly causes a teammate to score, excluding runs scored due to defensive errors or specific plays like force double plays.
Which of the following is a common informal nickname for the RBI statistic?
Answer: The 'ribby'
Explanation: The statistic RBI is frequently referred to by the informal nickname 'ribby' among baseball enthusiasts.
According to the source, what is the primary difference between an RBI and a run scored?
Answer: An RBI measures the batter's contribution to scoring, while a run is achieved by the runner reaching home plate.
Explanation: An RBI quantifies the batter's role in enabling a run, whereas a run is the successful completion of a runner's journey around the bases to home plate.
What is the minor controversy regarding the plural form of RBI?
Answer: Whether 'RBI' or 'RBIs' is the correct plural.
Explanation: A minor linguistic debate exists concerning the pluralization of RBI, with arguments for both 'RBI' and 'RBIs' as the correct form.
Runs batted in (RBI) were officially recognized as a statistic in Major League Baseball beginning with the 1907 season.
Answer: False
Explanation: Major League Baseball officially began recognizing the run batted in (RBI) as a statistic in the 1920 season. Prior to this, it was unofficially tracked by baseball writers.
When did Major League Baseball officially begin recognizing the run batted in (RBI) as a statistic?
Answer: 1920
Explanation: Major League Baseball officially adopted the RBI as a statistic starting with the 1920 season.
How does the source describe the role of Ernie Lanigan regarding the RBI statistic?
Answer: He unofficially tracked RBIs from 1907 through 1919.
Explanation: Ernie Lanigan is noted for unofficially tracking the RBI statistic from 1907 to 1919, prior to its official recognition in MLB.
According to MLB Rule 9.04, a batter is credited with an RBI for every run that scores as a result of their safe hit, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out, or fielder's choice, provided no error occurs.
Answer: True
Explanation: MLB Rule 9.04 indeed specifies that a batter is credited with an RBI for runs scoring via their safe hit, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out, or fielder's choice, contingent upon the absence of a defensive error.
A batter is never credited with an RBI if a fielder commits an error during the play, regardless of the circumstances.
Answer: False
Explanation: While errors often negate an RBI, MLB Rule 9.04(a)(3) provides an exception: an RBI may be credited if a runner from third base would have scored absent an error (with fewer than two outs).
Under MLB Rule 9.04(b), a batter is credited with an RBI when they ground into a force double play.
Answer: False
Explanation: MLB Rule 9.04(b) explicitly states that a batter is *not* credited with an RBI when they ground into a force double play or a reverse-force double play.
The official scorer's judgment is crucial in determining RBIs when fielder misplays occur, especially regarding whether a runner continued advancing.
Answer: True
Explanation: MLB Rule 9.04(c) mandates that the official scorer exercise judgment in crediting RBIs when defensive misplays occur, particularly concerning runner advancement.
A batter hitting a home run is never credited with an RBI for themselves.
Answer: False
Explanation: A batter hitting a home run is always credited with an RBI for themselves, in addition to any RBIs for runners on base.
An RBI is credited to a batter when they hit a sacrifice fly, allowing a runner to score.
Answer: True
Explanation: A sacrifice fly is one of the specific plays that can result in a batter being credited with an RBI, provided a runner scores on the play.
According to MLB Rule 9.04(b), under which circumstance is a batter *not* credited with an RBI?
Answer: When they hit into a force double play.
Explanation: MLB Rule 9.04(b) explicitly excludes RBIs when a batter grounds into a force double play or a reverse-force double play.
Under what condition, according to MLB Rule 9.04(a)(3), can an RBI be credited even if a fielder commits an error?
Answer: If the error occurs on a play where a runner from third would ordinarily have scored (with fewer than two outs).
Explanation: MLB Rule 9.04(a)(3) allows for an RBI to be credited if an error occurs on a play where a runner from third base would have scored absent the error, provided there are fewer than two outs.
Which of the following situations *always* results in at least one RBI for the batter?
Answer: Hitting a home run.
Explanation: Hitting a home run invariably results in at least one RBI for the batter, as they are credited for driving themselves in.
Which of the following is NOT a type of play that can result in an RBI according to MLB Rule 9.04(a)?
Answer: Strikeout
Explanation: A strikeout is not a play that can result in an RBI; RBIs are typically awarded for hits, sacrifice flies, certain outs, fielder's choices, or walks with the bases loaded.
How can a walk (base on balls) result in an RBI?
Answer: If the bases are loaded when the batter receives the walk.
Explanation: A walk can result in an RBI if the bases are loaded, as the batter is forced to advance to first base, compelling the runner on third to advance home.
What does the source suggest about the role of official scorers concerning RBIs?
Answer: They must accurately credit RBIs based on rules and use judgment in specific situations like misplays.
Explanation: Official scorers are tasked with accurately applying RBI rules and exercising judgment in ambiguous situations, such as those involving defensive errors or misplays.
Hank Aaron holds the Major League Baseball record for the most career RBIs.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hank Aaron is recognized as the all-time leader in career RBIs in Major League Baseball history.
Albert Pujols ranks third on the all-time MLB career RBI list, behind Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth.
Answer: False
Explanation: Albert Pujols ranks second on the all-time MLB career RBI list with 2,218 RBIs, surpassing Babe Ruth but trailing Hank Aaron.
Babe Ruth is listed as third on the all-time MLB career RBI list with 2,214 RBIs.
Answer: True
Explanation: Babe Ruth holds the third position on the all-time MLB career RBI list, having accumulated 2,214 RBIs.
Hack Wilson holds the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB season, recording 191 RBIs in 1930.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hack Wilson established the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB season with 191 RBIs in 1930.
Lou Gehrig holds the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB season.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Lou Gehrig holds a very high single-season RBI total (185 in 1931, second all-time), Hack Wilson holds the record with 191 RBIs in 1930.
The Major League Baseball record for the most RBIs in a single game is 10.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Major League Baseball record for RBIs in a single game is 12, achieved by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten.
The MLB record for the most RBIs in a single game has been achieved by only one player.
Answer: False
Explanation: The MLB record for most RBIs in a single game (12) has been achieved by two players: Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten.
The Major League Baseball record for the most RBIs in a single inning is 12.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Major League Baseball record for RBIs in a single inning is 8, achieved by Fernando Tatís.
Adolis García holds the record for the most RBIs in a single postseason tournament in MLB history.
Answer: True
Explanation: Adolis García set the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB postseason tournament with 22 in 2023.
Albert Pujols concluded his Major League Baseball career with 2,218 RBIs, placing him first on the all-time list.
Answer: False
Explanation: Albert Pujols concluded his career with 2,218 RBIs, which places him second on the all-time list, behind Hank Aaron.
Who holds the all-time record for the most career RBIs in Major League Baseball history?
Answer: Hank Aaron
Explanation: Hank Aaron holds the distinction of having the most career RBIs in Major League Baseball history.
Which player ranks second on the all-time MLB career RBI list, having surpassed Babe Ruth's total?
Answer: Albert Pujols
Explanation: Albert Pujols ranks second on the all-time MLB career RBI list with 2,218 RBIs, surpassing Babe Ruth's total.
Who holds the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB season?
Answer: Hack Wilson
Explanation: Hack Wilson holds the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB season, with 191 RBIs recorded in 1930.
What is the Major League Baseball record for the most RBIs achieved in a single game?
Answer: 12 RBIs
Explanation: The Major League Baseball record for the most RBIs in a single game is 12.
What is the MLB record for the most RBIs in a single inning?
Answer: 8 RBIs
Explanation: The Major League Baseball record for the most RBIs achieved in a single inning is 8.
Who holds the record for the most RBIs in a single postseason (single season) in MLB history?
Answer: Adolis García
Explanation: Adolis García holds the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB postseason tournament, with 22 RBIs in 2023.
Which player is listed third on the all-time MLB career RBI list?
Answer: Babe Ruth
Explanation: Babe Ruth is positioned third on the all-time MLB career RBI list with 2,214 RBIs.
Which player recorded 10 RBIs in a single MLB game as mentioned in the text?
Answer: Jim Bottomley
Explanation: Jim Bottomley is mentioned as one of the players who recorded 10 or more RBIs in a single MLB game (specifically, 12).
The 'game-winning RBI' was a statistic officially tracked in Major League Baseball from 1980 through 1988.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'game-winning RBI' was indeed an officially tracked statistic within Major League Baseball during the period of 1980 to 1988.
The RBI is one of the three statistical categories required to win the Triple Crown award in baseball.
Answer: True
Explanation: The RBI is a fundamental component of the Triple Crown award, alongside batting average and home runs.
Sabermetric critics argue that the RBI statistic is a pure measure of a batter's individual skill, independent of their teammates.
Answer: False
Explanation: Sabermetric critics contend that the RBI statistic is heavily influenced by external factors, particularly the offensive performance of preceding batters, rather than being a pure measure of individual skill.
A player's RBI total is significantly influenced by the offensive performance of the batters preceding them in the lineup.
Answer: True
Explanation: The accumulation of RBIs is substantially affected by the ability of batters preceding in the lineup to reach base, thereby creating scoring opportunities.
From a sabermetric perspective, what is the main criticism of the RBI statistic?
Answer: It measures the quality of a player's supporting lineup more than their individual skill.
Explanation: Sabermetricians often criticize the RBI statistic for being overly dependent on the offensive context provided by teammates, rather than solely reflecting the batter's individual skill.
What is the significance of the RBI statistic in baseball?
Answer: It is one of the three categories required for the Triple Crown award.
Explanation: The RBI is a crucial statistic, being one of the three components necessary for achieving the Triple Crown award.
What was the purpose of the 'game-winning RBI' statistic in MLB?
Answer: To track the RBI that ultimately decided the outcome of a winning game.
Explanation: The 'game-winning RBI' statistic was designed to identify the specific RBI that proved decisive in securing a team's victory.
What is the main argument presented by sabermetricians against the overemphasis on RBIs?
Answer: RBIs are primarily influenced by the strength of the batters preceding the player.
Explanation: Sabermetricians argue that a player's RBI total is significantly influenced by the offensive capabilities of the batters preceding them in the lineup, thus questioning its value as a pure measure of individual skill.