The New York Mets are probably too busy celebrating their playoff berth, achieved earlier this week.
However, they also get mad every once in a while.
With two additional hit by pitches on Wednesday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers, New York just tied MLB’s record for a single season.
“105. The Mets have tied the Major League record for HBPs in a season,” SNY tweeted.
105.
The Mets have tied the Major League record for HBPs in a season. pic.twitter.com/LuYjHvJ5Ua
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 21, 2022
That, of course, is not a particularly sought-after mark.
Mets hitters, and particularly manager Buck Showalter, have been critical of fellow pitchers, and the league as a whole, because of the situation with the HBPs.
Being hit 105 times in a season is a lot, especially when we consider the fact that the second-ranked team, the San Francisco Giants, have 89.
Why The Mets?
The difference between the first-place Mets and the last-place Texas Rangers, with 44, is abysmal.
There is no surefire answer to the question “why are the Mets being hit by pitches so frequently”?
It could stem from the position of their batters in the box, or with specific, in-game retaliations.
The fact that MLB started to regulate the use of sticky substances in 2021 could also be affecting pitcher’s control and command, letting a few extra HBPs slip away here or there.
But the Mets being on the receiving end of so many hits is worrying.
A hitter may suffer a severe concussion, surgery, or broken thumbs, wrists, or feet because of HBPs.
Being hit by a 97-mph fastball definitely has to hurt, no matter where.
Hopefully, pitchers don’t punish Mets hitters so much from this point forward.
Nobody wants a long-term injury related to a HBP.
NEXT: Mets Insider Reveals Hopeful Starling Marte Update