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In baseball statistics, a run batted in (RBI) is given to a batter for each run scored as the result of a batter's plate appearance.

There are certain exceptions: a player does not receive an RBI if he hits into a double play and a run scores, if a run is scored on a wild pitch or passed ball or as the result of an error, or if the pitcher balks. A player does receive an RBI if he is walked or hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. He will also receive an RBI if a runner scores from his sacrifice fly or sacrifice bunt.

As an example, if someone hits a home run with two runners on base, the batter would get three RBIs (since both baserunners as well as the batter would score).

RBI are sometimes referred to in slang, as ribbies or ribs, by interchanging the B and I, or as steaks (as in 'rib eye steaks').

RBI are one of three categories composing baseball's batting triple crown, the other two being batting average and home runs. The first team to track the RBI stat was the now-defunct Buffalo Bisons.

The RBI stat has been criticised by the sabermetric movement due to its perceived lack of usefulness in measuring a player's performance. Recording an RBI depends on the success or failure of other players; that is, a player must have at least one teammate on base to record more than one RBI in any given plate appearance.

RBI leaders in Major League Baseball[]

Career[]

  1. Hank Aaron - 2,297
  2. Babe Ruth - 2,213
  3. Cap Anson - 2,076
  4. Lou Gehrig - 1,995
  5. Stan Musial - 1,951

Season[]

  1. Hack Wilson (1930) - 191
  2. Lou Gehrig (1931) - 184
  3. Hank Greenberg (1937) - 183
  4. Jimmie Foxx (1938) - 175
  5. Lou Gehrig (1927) - 175

Game[]

  1. Jim Bottomley (September 24,1924) - 12
  2. Mark Whiten (September 7,1993) - 12
  3. Wilbert Robinson (June 10,1892) - 11
  4. Tony Lazzeri (may 24,1936) - 11
  5. Phil Weintraub (April 30,1944) - 11

Inning[]

  1. Fernando Tatis (April 23, 1999) - 8
  2. Ed Cartwright (September 23, 1890) - 7
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