If you're a pitcher...

[Leeyat]

Giving up an RBI or something to someone down in the order isn't all that bad. I guess walking the pitcher in the National League has to be the worst one from me.

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[UK]

Hitting a batter up 0-2 was the worst for me. If they hit a good pitch on 0-2 or work the count full by fouling off good pitches that wouldn't bother me.

If I was in the majors walking a pitcher or walking/hitting someone who was going to bunt a runner over would piss me off.

[JL21]

Never an excuse for walking the pitcher.

[jim]

I went through a process of elimination.

Giving up a RBI or HR to a bottom of the order guy

Maybe 50 years ago, but not today. The guys at the bottom of the order on most teams can hurt you. Not the Cardinals, but most teams.

Walking the lead off man

I think it has been shown that a walked leadoff man and a leadoff man that was safe by a single or error score at the same frequency. So if giving a hit up to the leadoff man is not a big gaffe, then walking him is not either.

Walking a run in

Pretty bad, you have to throw strikes and you can't. But what if Pujols is up. Is it worse to be careful and walk him or groove one?

Balk

This is a good candidate. Many times it's a mental cramp, I seriously considered this.

Walking the pitcher

The one guy in the lineup that probably can't hit, and you walk him. Bad.

Giving up a hit/walk on an 0-2 count

This isn't good, but I can't put it up there with walking the pitcher.

Final vote goes to walking the pitcher.

[Dillagii]

Jim: I liked your approach for tackling this poll, but I disagree the way you tackled "walking in a run" choice. You should assume this choice in general rather that pitching to Pujols. How many Pujols' you have in Major Leagues? Just one. He is one of a kind.

It all depends on Match situation, right? If you are up by 4 runs, I wouldnt mind pitching to Pujols with bases loaded. but if you up by 2 bottom of ninth 2 outs, then ?

I thought Planet asked this question in general. So you should have answered it in general, IMO.

I don't dispute your final choice though. Its indeed a logical one.

[Jmodene]

How often has a batter been intentionally walked with the bases loaded? I can only think of two occasions - McCovey in 1969 (don't remember against who) and Bonds in 2001 (Buck Showalter of Arizona did it).