Cleanup hitter
Encyclopedia
In baseball, the cleanup hitter is the hitter who bats fourth in the lineup
. Although the third man up is generally the hitter with the highest batting average, cleanup hitters often have the most power on the team and are typically the team's best power hitter; their job is to "clean up the bases", hence the name.
The theory behind the cleanup hitter concept is that at the beginning of the game, the first three batters will reach base with a single-base hit
, walk, or equivalent, thereby loading the bases
, and enabling the cleanup hitter a chance to hit a grand slam home run. This, however, is a rare occurrence.
Justin Morneau
holds the record of most games started in a season batting cleanup, with 163 in 2008.
Batting order (baseball)
The batting order, or batting lineup, in baseball is the sequence in which the nine members of the offense take their turns in batting against the pitcher. The batting order is the main component of a team's offensive strategy. The batting order is set by the manager before the game begins...
. Although the third man up is generally the hitter with the highest batting average, cleanup hitters often have the most power on the team and are typically the team's best power hitter; their job is to "clean up the bases", hence the name.
The theory behind the cleanup hitter concept is that at the beginning of the game, the first three batters will reach base with a single-base hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, walk, or equivalent, thereby loading the bases
Bases loaded
In the sport of baseball, the bases are loaded when there is a runner on each base . This presents a great scoring opportunity for the batting team, but it also presents an easy double play opportunity for the defense. Causing the bases to become loaded is called loading the bases...
, and enabling the cleanup hitter a chance to hit a grand slam home run. This, however, is a rare occurrence.
Justin Morneau
Justin Morneau
Justin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003...
holds the record of most games started in a season batting cleanup, with 163 in 2008.
Japan
In Japan, the third, fourth, and fifth batters in a lineup are referred to as "cleanup" (also "cleanup trio")Notable cleanup hitters
The following MLB players had or have over 1,000 games batting cleanup in their careers. (Data includes seasons from 1957 to 2008; Bold names indicate players active going into 2011).- Eddie MurrayEddie MurrayEddie Clarence Murray , nicknamed "Steady Eddie", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. He was known as one of the most reliable and productive hitters of his era. Murray is regarded as one of the best switch hitters ever to play the game...
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(1826) - Willie McCoveyWillie McCoveyWillie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
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