What is a 'run batted in' (RBI) in the context of baseball and softball statistics?

A run batted in, commonly abbreviated as RBI, is a statistic awarded to a batter in baseball and softball. It credits the batter for an action that directly results in a run being scored by a teammate, with specific exceptions such as when an error occurs during the play.

Can you provide an example of a situation where a batter would be credited with an RBI?

Certainly. If a batter hits a base hit, such as a single or a double, and this action allows a teammate who is already on base to advance and score a run, the batter is credited with an RBI. This signifies their direct contribution to scoring.

When did the run batted in (RBI) officially become a recognized statistic in Major League Baseball?

Runs batted in (RBI) were not officially recognized as a statistic in Major League Baseball until the 1920 season. Prior to this, the statistic was unofficially tracked by baseball writer Ernie Lanigan from 1907 through 1919, according to the Society for American Baseball Research.

What are some common nicknames for the statistic 'RBI'?

The statistic RBI is often referred to by several informal nicknames among baseball fans. These include 'ribby' or 'ribbie,' and also simply 'rib' or 'ribeye.'

What is the minor controversy surrounding the plural form of RBI?

There is a minor debate among baseball enthusiasts regarding the plural form of RBI. While the standard English convention for initialisms suggests 'RBIs' (as in 'runs batted in'), some argue that 'RBI' itself can function as the plural, as it can stand for 'runs batted in.'

According to the Official Baseball Rules of Major League Baseball, what is the definition of a run batted in?

According to MLB Rule 9.04, a run batted in is a statistic credited to a batter whose action at bat causes one or more runs to score. The official scorer determines this based on specific criteria outlined in the rules.

Under MLB Rule 9.04(a), what types of plays result in a batter being credited with an RBI?

A batter is credited with an RBI for every run that scores unaided by an error, as part of a play initiated by the batter's safe hit, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out, or fielder's choice. Additionally, an RBI is credited if the batter becomes a runner with the bases full due to a walk, being hit by a pitch, or interference/obstruction.

What specific situations, according to MLB Rule 9.04(a)(3), can lead to an RBI even if an error is involved?

An RBI can be credited if, before two outs are recorded, an error is made on a play where a runner from third base would ordinarily have scored. This rule accounts for situations where the error prevents a run that was likely to score.

What are the specific circumstances under MLB Rule 9.04(b) where a batter is *not* credited with an RBI?

A batter is not credited with an RBI in two main scenarios: first, when the batter grounds into a force double play or a reverse-force double play. Second, if a fielder is charged with an error for muffing a throw at first base that would have completed a force double play.

How does the official scorer's judgment play a role in crediting RBIs, according to MLB Rule 9.04(c)?

The official scorer uses judgment to determine if an RBI should be credited when a fielder makes a misplay, such as holding the ball or throwing to the wrong base. Generally, if the runner continues advancing, an RBI is awarded. If the runner stops and then advances upon noticing the misplay, it's typically scored as a fielder's choice.

What was the 'game-winning RBI' statistic in MLB?

The game-winning RBI was an additional statistic used in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1988. It specifically tracked the RBI that ultimately proved to be the difference in a team's victory.

Why is the RBI considered significant in baseball discussions, such as for the Triple Crown or Hall of Fame?

The RBI is considered significant because it is one of the three categories that comprise the Triple Crown award in baseball. Furthermore, career RBI totals are frequently cited in debates regarding a player's eligibility for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

What is the primary criticism of the RBI statistic from a sabermetric perspective?

Critics, particularly those in the field of sabermetrics, argue that RBIs measure the quality of a player's supporting lineup more than the individual player's skill. This is because an RBI typically requires preceding batters to reach base, meaning a player on a strong offensive team might accumulate more RBIs than an equally skilled player on a weaker team.

How does the presence of strong offensive teammates influence a player's RBI total, according to sabermetric criticism?

Sabermetric critics suggest that a player's RBI total is heavily influenced by the offensive performance of the batters preceding them in the lineup. If teammates consistently get on base, the player batting behind them has more opportunities to drive in runs, thus inflating their RBI count.

What is the exception to the rule that a batter needs preceding runners on base to get an RBI?

The primary exception is when a batter hits a home run. In this case, the batter is credited with an RBI for driving themselves in, regardless of whether other runners were on base.

Who is the all-time career leader in RBIs in Major League Baseball?

Hank Aaron holds the record for the most career RBIs in Major League Baseball history, with a total of 2,297.

Who ranks second on the all-time MLB career RBI list?

Albert Pujols ranks second on the all-time Major League Baseball career RBI list with 2,218 RBIs. He is noted in the article for passing Babe Ruth's total.

Who is third on the all-time MLB career RBI list?

Babe Ruth is third on the all-time Major League Baseball career RBI list with 2,214 RBIs.

Can you list the top five players with the most career RBIs in MLB history according to the provided text?

The top five players with the most career RBIs in MLB history, based on the provided text, are: 1. Hank Aaron (2,297), 2. Albert Pujols (2,218), 3. Babe Ruth (2,214), 4. Alex Rodriguez (2,086), and 5. Cap Anson (2,075).

Who holds the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB season?

Hack Wilson holds the record for the most RBIs in a single MLB season, with 191 RBIs in 1930.

Who is second on the list for most RBIs in a single MLB season?

Lou Gehrig is second on the list for most RBIs in a single MLB season, recording 185 RBIs in 1931.

Who is third on the list for most RBIs in a single MLB season?

Hank Greenberg is third on the list for most RBIs in a single MLB season, with 183 RBIs in 1937.

Can you list the top five single-season RBI totals in MLB history?

The top five single-season RBI totals in MLB history are: 1. Hack Wilson (191 in 1930), 2. Lou Gehrig (185 in 1931), 3. Hank Greenberg (183 in 1937), 4. Jimmie Foxx (175 in 1938), and 5. Lou Gehrig (173 in both 1927 and 1930).

What is the MLB record for the most RBIs in a single game?

The Major League Baseball record for the most RBIs in a single game is 12. This feat has been achieved by two players: Jim Bottomley on September 16, 1924, and Mark Whiten on September 7, 1993.

Who are some players who have recorded 10 or more RBIs in a single MLB game?

Players who have recorded 10 or more RBIs in a single MLB game include Jim Bottomley (12), Mark Whiten (12), Wilbert Robinson (11), Tony Lazzeri (11), Phil Weintraub (11), and Shohei Ohtani (10, as of September 19, 2024).

What is the MLB record for the most RBIs in a single inning?

The Major League Baseball record for the most RBIs in a single inning is 8, achieved by Fernando Tatís on April 23, 1999. Ed Cartwright (7 RBIs on September 23, 1890) and Alex Rodriguez (7 RBIs on October 4, 2009) also hold high single-inning RBI totals.

Who holds the record for the most RBIs in a single postseason (single season) in MLB history?

Adolis García holds the record for the most RBIs in a single postseason (single season) in MLB history, with 22 RBIs in 2023. He is noted as an active player.

Who is second on the list for most RBIs in a single postseason (single season) in MLB history?

David Freese is second on the list for most RBIs in a single postseason (single season) in MLB history, with 21 RBIs in 2011.

Can you list the top three players with the most RBIs in a single postseason (single season) in MLB history?

The top three players with the most RBIs in a single postseason (single season) in MLB history are: 1. Adolis García (22 in 2023), 2. David Freese (21 in 2011), and 3. Corey Seager (20 in 2020).

What does the image caption reveal about Albert Pujols' career achievements regarding RBIs?

The image caption states that Albert Pujols, shown in 2008, surpassed Babe Ruth's career total of 2,214 official RBIs in October 2022. Pujols concluded his Major League Baseball career with 2,218 RBIs, placing him second on the all-time list.

What is the purpose of the 'Baseball statistics' navbox included in the article?

The 'Baseball statistics' navigation box serves to categorize and link to related concepts within baseball statistics. It provides a structured overview of various statistical categories, including batting, base running, pitching, fielding, and sabermetrics, allowing users to easily navigate to other relevant topics.

What does the 'Baseball and softball concepts' navbox highlight?

The 'Baseball and softball concepts' navigation box provides a broader overview of the sport itself, linking to rules, ballpark elements, equipment, game processes, and specific actions like batting and pitching. It also includes links to related categories, portals, and WikiProjects, offering a comprehensive entry point to information about baseball and softball.

What is the significance of the 'RBI' entry within the 'Batting' section of the 'Baseball statistics' navbox?

The inclusion of 'RBI' within the 'Batting' section of the 'Baseball statistics' navbox signifies that RBI is considered a fundamental batting statistic. It is listed alongside other key offensive metrics like batting average, hits, and home runs, underscoring its importance in evaluating a batter's offensive contribution.

How did the statistic of runs batted in evolve historically?

The statistic of runs batted in evolved from being an unofficial tabulation by baseball writers, like Ernie Lanigan from 1907-1919, to becoming an official statistic in Major League Baseball starting in the 1920 season. This indicates a growing recognition of its importance in measuring offensive performance.

What is the core function of an official scorer in relation to RBIs?

The official scorer's core function regarding RBIs is to accurately credit batters with runs batted in according to the established rules (Rule 9.04). This involves making judgments in specific situations, such as when errors occur or when runners advance due to fielder misplays, to ensure the statistic reflects the batter's contribution fairly.

Beyond the Triple Crown, what other context highlights the perceived importance of RBIs?

The perceived importance of RBIs is also highlighted by their frequent citation in debates concerning player induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. High career RBI totals are often used as a significant argument for a player's historical greatness.

What is the fundamental argument made by sabermetricians against the overemphasis on RBIs?

Sabermetricians argue that RBIs are a context-dependent statistic, heavily influenced by the players batting before the RBI-candidate. They contend that a player's ability to accumulate RBIs is often more a reflection of the offensive strength of their teammates and the team's overall ability to get runners on base, rather than solely the individual player's skill.

How does the text explain the difference between an RBI and a run scored?

The text explains that an RBI is credited to the *batter* for enabling a run to score through their action at bat. A *run* is scored by a *runner* who successfully advances around all bases to reach home plate. While related, RBI measures the batter's contribution to scoring, while a run measures the runner's successful journey home.

What is the relationship between a 'home run' and an RBI?

A home run always results in at least one RBI for the batter. The batter is credited with an RBI for each runner on base at the time of the home run, plus an RBI for themselves scoring.

Are there any specific types of hits that guarantee an RBI if a run scores?

Yes, generally any safe hit (like a single, double, or triple) that allows a runner to score will result in an RBI for the batter, provided no error is committed on the play. A home run also guarantees an RBI.

What is the role of a 'fielder's choice' in relation to RBIs?

A fielder's choice can result in an RBI if a run scores as a direct result of the batter's action, even if the batter is put out on the play. For example, if the batter hits the ball, allowing a runner to score, and the batter is then thrown out trying to reach base, the batter still gets an RBI.

How does the text differentiate between an RBI and a run scored on a base hit versus a walk with the bases loaded?

When a run scores on a base hit, the batter is credited with an RBI. When a run scores because the batter receives a base on balls (walk) with the bases loaded, the batter is also credited with an RBI, as their action of becoming a runner forced the runner on third base to advance home.

What does the mention of Albert Pujols passing Babe Ruth's RBI total signify?

This signifies a major career milestone, highlighting Pujols' sustained offensive excellence over a long career and placing him among the very elite hitters in baseball history, second only to Hank Aaron in career RBIs.

What is the significance of listing players like Hack Wilson, Lou Gehrig, and Hank Greenberg in the 'Season' leaders section?

Listing these players highlights their exceptional single-season offensive production. It showcases peak performance years where players drove in an extraordinary number of runs, setting benchmarks for single-season achievement.

What does the 'Game' leaders section illustrate about RBI potential?

The 'Game' leaders section illustrates the potential for a single player to drive in a massive number of runs within one game. Records of 10, 11, and 12 RBIs in a single game demonstrate explosive offensive performances.

What is the distinction between single-game RBI records and single-inning RBI records?

The single-game RBI record refers to the total RBIs a player accumulates over an entire game, while the single-inning RBI record refers to the maximum number of RBIs a player can achieve within a single half-inning of play. The single-inning record is significantly lower, reflecting the limited number of plate appearances and scoring opportunities within just three outs.

What does the 'Postseason (single season)' section focus on?

This section focuses specifically on the highest RBI totals achieved by players during a single postseason tournament (like the playoffs leading up to the World Series). It highlights clutch hitting performance in high-stakes games.

Why might a player like Adolis García or David Freese be recognized for their postseason RBIs?

These players are recognized for their postseason RBIs because they delivered crucial hits during the most important part of the season, driving in runs when the pressure is highest and their team's success is on the line. High postseason RBI totals often correlate with deep playoff runs and championship success.

What is the general purpose of the 'See also' section in relation to the RBI article?

The 'See also' section provides links to related topics that offer further information or context. In this case, it directs readers to the 'List of Major League Baseball runs batted in records,' which likely contains more detailed historical data and records pertaining to RBIs.

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The Essence of RBI

Statistical Definition

A run batted in (RBI) is a statistic awarded in baseball and softball to a batter whose action at bat directly results in a run being scored. This typically occurs when the batter hits a base hit that allows a runner to advance home, or through other specific plays that facilitate scoring. Crucially, an RBI is generally not credited if the run scores due to a fielding error by the opposing team.

Historical Context

The RBI was not an officially recognized statistic in Major League Baseball until the 1920 season. However, baseball writer Ernie Lanigan unofficially tabulated RBIs from 1907 to 1919, preserving early data. The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) acknowledges this unofficial tabulation.

Nicknames and Pluralization

Common informal terms for an RBI include "ribby," "rib," or "ribeye." The pluralization of RBI is a subject of minor debate among enthusiasts. While "RBIs" aligns with standard English practice for initialisms, some sources prefer "RBI" as the plural, treating it as a singular concept representing "runs batted in."

Evolution of the Statistic

Official Recognition

Prior to the 1920 Major League Baseball season, the RBI was not an official statistic. Baseball writer Ernie Lanigan is credited with unofficially tracking RBIs from 1907 through 1919. Its formal inclusion in official records marked a significant step in the quantification of player performance.

Significance in Awards

The RBI is one of the three core statistics that comprise the prestigious Triple Crown award in baseball, alongside batting average and home runs. Its prominence in historical discussions and Hall of Fame debates underscores its perceived importance in evaluating offensive impact.

Official MLB Rules for RBI

When an RBI is Credited

According to Major League Baseball's Official Baseball Rules (Rule 9.04), an official scorer shall credit a batter with an RBI for every run that scores under the following conditions:

As part of a play initiated by the batter's safe hit (including a home run), sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out, or fielder's choice, provided the run scores unaided by an error.
When the batter becomes a runner with the bases full due to a base on balls, being touched by a pitched ball, or interference/obstruction.
When, with fewer than two outs, a runner from third base would ordinarily score, but the fielder commits an error on the play.

When an RBI is NOT Credited

An official scorer shall not credit a batter with an RBI in specific scenarios:

When the batter grounds into a force double play or a reverse-force double play.
When a fielder is charged with an error for muffing a throw at first base that would have completed a force double play.

The scorer's judgment is also applied in cases where a runner scores due to a fielder's misplay (e.g., holding the ball or throwing to the wrong base), typically crediting an RBI if the runner advances directly, and a fielder's choice if the runner advances after noticing the misplay.

Statistical Scrutiny

The Sabermetric Perspective

Critics, particularly proponents of sabermetrics, argue that the RBI statistic is more reflective of the offensive quality of the batters preceding the player in the lineup than of the player's individual skill. An RBI is typically only awarded when runners are already on base, meaning a player's RBI total can be heavily influenced by how often they bat in "run-scoring situations," which is often determined by the players batting ahead of them.

This perspective suggests that hitters on offensively potent teams may accumulate higher RBI totals compared to equivalent hitters on less productive teams, irrespective of their individual performance in creating those opportunities.

Influence of "Moneyball"

The concept that traditional statistics like RBIs might overstate an individual player's contribution relative to team context was popularized by Michael Lewis's book Moneyball. The book highlighted how advanced statistical analysis (sabermetrics) could uncover undervalued players and strategies, often by de-emphasizing traditional metrics like RBIs in favor of more context-independent measures of offensive value.

Statistical Pantheon: RBI Leaders

Career Leaders

The pinnacle of offensive achievement, measured by cumulative RBIs throughout a career.

Rank	Player	RBIs
1	Hank Aaron	2,297
2	Albert Pujols	2,218
3	Babe Ruth	2,214
4	Alex Rodriguez	2,086
5	Cap Anson	2,075
6	Barry Bonds	1,996
7	Lou Gehrig	1,995
8	Stan Musial	1,951
9	Ty Cobb	1,944
10	Jimmie Foxx	1,922
11	Eddie Murray	1,917
12	Willie Mays	1,909

Totals current through 2023 (regular season).

Single Season Leaders

The highest single-season RBI totals, showcasing dominant offensive performances.

Rank	Player	Year	RBIs
1	Hack Wilson	1930	191
2	Lou Gehrig	1931	185
3	Hank Greenberg	1937	183
4	Jimmie Foxx	1938	175
5	Lou Gehrig	1927	173
6	Lou Gehrig	1930	173

Single Game Leaders

Extraordinary offensive outbursts in a single game.

RBIs	Player	Date
12	Jim Bottomley	September 16, 1924
12	Mark Whiten	September 7, 1993
11	Wilbert Robinson	June 10, 1892
11	Tony Lazzeri	May 24, 1936
11	Phil Weintraub	April 30, 1944
10	(12 players, most recently Shohei Ohtani on Sep 19, 2024)	Various

Single Inning Leaders

Remarkable offensive production within a single inning.

RBIs	Player	Date
8	Fernando Tatís	April 23, 1999
7	Ed Cartwright	September 23, 1890
7	Alex Rodriguez	October 4, 2009

Postseason Single Season Leaders

Dominance in the high-stakes environment of the postseason.

Rank	Player	Year	RBIs
1	Adolis García	2023	22
2	David Freese	2011	21
3	Corey Seager	2020	20
4	Scott Spiezio	2002	19
5	Sandy Alomar Jr.	1997	19
6	David Ortiz	2004	19

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References

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RBI Mastery

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The Essence of RBI 🎯

📊 Statistical Definition

⏳ Historical Context

🗣️ Nicknames and Pluralization

Evolution of the Statistic 📜

📅 Official Recognition

🏆 Significance in Awards

Official MLB Rules for RBI ⚖️

✅ When an RBI is Credited

❌ When an RBI is NOT Credited

Statistical Scrutiny 🧐

📉 The Sabermetric Perspective

📚 Influence of "Moneyball"

Statistical Pantheon: RBI Leaders 👑

🌟 Career Leaders

🎯 Single Season Leaders

💥 Single Game Leaders

⚡ Single Inning Leaders

🏆 Postseason Single Season Leaders

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Essence of RBI

Statistical Definition

Historical Context

Nicknames and Pluralization

Evolution of the Statistic

Official Recognition

Significance in Awards

Official MLB Rules for RBI

When an RBI is Credited

When an RBI is NOT Credited

Statistical Scrutiny

The Sabermetric Perspective

Influence of "Moneyball"

Statistical Pantheon: RBI Leaders

Career Leaders

Single Season Leaders

Single Game Leaders

Single Inning Leaders

Postseason Single Season Leaders

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice