After this earlier post, some questions were raised about the number of times that Red Sox pitchers have hit various Yankees. As mentioned, Kevin Youkilis has been a popular target of Yankee pitchers. Since breaking into the majors, he’s been plunked eight times in his five seasons by New York — though, of course, Youkilis takes plenty of HBPs thanks to his willingness to sit on top of the plate. The same is true of Derek Jeter, who is described by most as diving into the pitch in order to ensure his coverage of the outside corner.

Jason Giambi gets drilled. Again.

It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that Jeter ranks among the hitters most frequently drilled by Red Sox pitchers. In fact, four of the top five most-hit batters by the Sox since the start of the 2004 season are Yankees. Jason Giambi tops the list, a fact that did not surprise him when Josh Beckett drilled him in a game early last year. (Giambi took no offense, suggesting that pitchers always try to work him up and in to prevent him from extending his arms and launching.) The group, which also includes indomitable hit-by-pitch machine Reed Johnson (the only player to crack the top five targets of both the Yankees and Red Sox), who might have some kind of record for fewest plate appearances per plunking:

Jason Giambi – 11 HBPs (76 games, 302 plate appearances)
Alex Rodriguez – 10 HBPs (92 games, 399 plate appearances)
Reed Johnson – 10 HBPs (53 games, 165 plate appearances — NOT a misprint)
Gary Sheffield – 8 HBPs (50 games, 220 plate appearances)
Derek Jeter – 8 HBPs (84 games, 410 plate appearances)

Overall, Giambi leads the American League and ranks third in the majors since 2004, having absorbed 76 HBPs. Johnson (4th, 74), A-Rod (7th, 69) and Jeter (12th, 60) are also high among major-league leaders since 2004. Youkilis ranks 32nd in the majors during his career, having been hit a total of 43 times.