As Los Angeles Dodgers fans witnessed Freddie Freeman’s incredible 15-pitch, bases-loaded at-bat against the San Francisco Giants on April 12, 2023, culminating in a crucial RBI, memories of another legendary at-bat came flooding back. Freeman’s gritty determination and never-say-die attitude in his epic battle against the Giants’ pitcher harkened back to Alex Cora’s unforgettable 18-pitch showdown with the Chicago Cubs in 2004.
Average Pitches per Batter
The average number of pitches per batter in Major League Baseball (MLB) has risen recently. In the 2021 season, the average number of pitches per plate appearance was 3.88, up from 3.82 in 2019. This increase can be attributed to several factors, including more patient hitters willing to take more pitches and a greater emphasis on pitch counts and bullpen management by managers and pitching coaches.
The trend of more pitches per plate appearance has also led to longer games, as the average game length in the 2021 season was just over three hours. MLB has taken steps in recent years to speed up the pace of games, such as limiting mound visits and implementing a pitch clock.
According to NGS bookmakers, who have been tracking the action, average pitch counts are down, batting average is up about 15 points, stolen bases have spiked 30%, and the average game time is down 30 minutes, on track to be the sport’s lowest since 1984.
However, it is still early in the season, and it remains to be seen if these measures will significantly impact the average number of pitches per batter and game length in the future.
Alex Cora’s Epic Plate Appearance
That was back on May 12, 2004, a date that will forever be etched in the minds of Los Angeles Dodgers fans as the night Alex Cora put on a legendary display of perseverance and determination in an 18-pitch at-bat against the Chicago Cubs.
The scene was set in the bottom of the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium, with the home team holding a 2-0 lead. Cora, the Dodgers’ light-hitting infielder, stepped up to the plate to face Cubs’ starter Matt Clement, a formidable foe with a reputation for tenacity. Little did anyone know, a historic at-bat was about to unfold.
Cora quickly found himself in a battle of wills against Clement. The at-bat began with a seemingly routine sequence of pitches: a ball outside, a called strike, another ball out, and then a foul ball. The intensity started to mount as Cora fouled off pitch after pitch, refusing to back down or be defeated by Clement’s arsenal.
The Dodger Stadium crowd of 43,230 grew increasingly captivated with each passing pitch, their cheers and applause amplifying as Cora continued to fight off Clement’s relentless offerings. Fans marveled at the gritty infielder’s dogged determination to stay alive, fouling off pitch after pitch and turning a routine at-bat into a mesmerizing spectacle.
In his unmistakable voice, legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully provided the perfect soundtrack to this unforgettable showdown. With each new pitch, he highlighted the drama and excitement building in the stadium, inviting fans to share in the experience of witnessing something truly special.
As the at-bat wore on, even injured Dodgers outfielder Dave Roberts couldn’t help but be captivated by the unfolding drama. Despite missing his seventh of 21 consecutive games due to injury, Roberts was caught on camera laughing and clapping, his infectious enthusiasm radiating throughout the dugout and into the stands.
Finally, on the 18th pitch of the at-bat, Cora connected solidly with Clement’s offering and sent the ball soaring into the right-field seats for a two-run homer, bringing the crowd to its feet in a deafening roar of approval. The home run extended the Dodgers’ lead to 4-0, which they would maintain to secure the victory.
The first person out of the dugout to congratulate Cora was Roberts, arms raised triumphantly to celebrate his teammate’s extraordinary feat. The Dodgers may have won, but Alex Cora’s epic 18-pitch at-bat stole the show and secured its place in history.
Reflecting on the unforgettable moment after the game, Cora humbly said, “For the fans, it was great. For me, I felt the pressure.” But for those who witnessed it, Cora’s 18-pitch battle on May 12, 2004, will always be remembered as a masterclass in perseverance and the indomitable spirit of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
