tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39863749084632714642024-03-05T10:21:00.474-07:00The 5.5 HoleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-74911505743564914572012-08-09T05:23:00.004-07:002014-02-16T11:55:30.298-07:00How much did Albert Pujols' slump cost the Angels?<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Albert Pujols</a></strong> is back to hitting the ball like an MVP. He's now hit six home runs, five doubles, and is hitting .424 in his last seven days. But it's not just the last seven days. Pujols has been coming on strong since <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Mike Trout</a></strong> was called up to the Angels on April 28th. Because of the hole he dug himself through the first month of the season, it took some time to realize that Pujols was back to his old self, but he is hitting .289 on the season, he has 24 home runs, he's driven in 76 runs, and may very well cross the .300 batting average plateau before the season's over. His Los Angeles Angels are planted in the play-off, but they are trailing the Rangers - and they have been all year.<br />
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So the question is, how much did Albert Pujol's early-season slump cost the Angels. There are two ways to look at this question and thus two sets of answers, both equally important. How much money did Pujols cost the Angels, and how many wins did he cost the team?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8wIyW8Xk-sRj_5MZWdx7jFOQviDMwqOdPv9LQZPwJjPcHiIOBkToueRRYQPXcXlvdHYB8jHxl7pXAsROPl816O7XrFJWr09NJpFWj5KnaSs7LTR72rShu4z2Cko6MUo2s1Z_jMaNwUTi/s1600/Albert+Pujols.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8wIyW8Xk-sRj_5MZWdx7jFOQviDMwqOdPv9LQZPwJjPcHiIOBkToueRRYQPXcXlvdHYB8jHxl7pXAsROPl816O7XrFJWr09NJpFWj5KnaSs7LTR72rShu4z2Cko6MUo2s1Z_jMaNwUTi/s1600/Albert+Pujols.png" title="" /></a></div>
These aren't easy questions to address considering the extremely back-loaded contract the Angels gave Pujols in the off-season and the unpredictability of baseball. However, I'll work off the numbers I have and the estimations will be based on the current season results to date. First, I want to focus on wins. <br />
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The problem with estimating the number of wins a player could have added to a team based on that player's performance are the various calculations available. Rather than try to streamline the calculations, I will give an estimation based on the three most popular Wins Above Replacement calculations: Fangraphs (fWAR), Baseball Reference (bWAR), and Baseball Prospectus (WARP).<br />
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Before I estimate how many wins Pujols should have had during his slump, I need to do two things. I need to calculate his deterioration based on age, and I need to calculate what he should have been expected to do this season in terms of WAR. Of course, WAR is not a very good predictive statistic, generally speaking. However, when viewed over the course of a career - and a long one at that - WAR becomes a decent predicted of future performance.<br />
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Pujols has been remarkably consistent in his yearly performance for almost all of his career. It wasn't until last year that things really started to drop off. And this season is another drop. But we can't make concrete judgments based a couple of bad seasons. Last year and this year could be anomalies brought on by the conflux of specific circumstances and once those circumstances iron out, we may see the Pujols of old. But for the sake of this article, we don't care about the specifics of one season. We care about the career arc.<br />
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Pujols is currently playing in his age 32 season, so using the last data point (2012) on the graph is not exactly fair, so here are the raw numbers for fWAR through 2011 with the average WAR drop per season calculated:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2VK99LriaxaoOi5TEslJCMTltyHwaccV8dz2ecZcB9N5AreJyJTVHlYXYEcQ2a2PaSsEsEx-BHJ7_oH06sdBvrATIQqVGgotE8IygHyRiEXSEGutL_5yW0I7TrxgahNG4oWViaRd5vA7/s1600/fWAR+Drop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2VK99LriaxaoOi5TEslJCMTltyHwaccV8dz2ecZcB9N5AreJyJTVHlYXYEcQ2a2PaSsEsEx-BHJ7_oH06sdBvrATIQqVGgotE8IygHyRiEXSEGutL_5yW0I7TrxgahNG4oWViaRd5vA7/s320/fWAR+Drop.png" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, let's move on to bWAR. Again, here are the WAR figures from 2001-2011 with the average yearly drop-off calculated:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE86jEYvjB9U4Ku1GeljKdEIWFb2kSmPf1Mif50lKHXXwTvtk4k5qMOsCZOPBGawRS6sArbrVxOuhqK-7waMW047UzQs01JbOifB-dpzKnkNARVRf4jSncsFC0cvTXJSQdmcVUXI4N82PS/s1600/bWAR+Drop+Off.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE86jEYvjB9U4Ku1GeljKdEIWFb2kSmPf1Mif50lKHXXwTvtk4k5qMOsCZOPBGawRS6sArbrVxOuhqK-7waMW047UzQs01JbOifB-dpzKnkNARVRf4jSncsFC0cvTXJSQdmcVUXI4N82PS/s320/bWAR+Drop+Off.png" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally, here are the calculations for WARP from Baseball Prospectus:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0_eUh5iy8QZhlKnn9Q9_HhV-ixgnBnQsZK7HKNYnfqxl9OQjuhmL4rkVUJ2zaCh5Ysmpn8aui7vxPbZV-GYzaOXCMrMI9-MsOX8TQInzWC8GWdFtWB0vRetq7fp8Ovqup9ZKnwd2l61_/s1600/WARP+Drop+Off.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0_eUh5iy8QZhlKnn9Q9_HhV-ixgnBnQsZK7HKNYnfqxl9OQjuhmL4rkVUJ2zaCh5Ysmpn8aui7vxPbZV-GYzaOXCMrMI9-MsOX8TQInzWC8GWdFtWB0vRetq7fp8Ovqup9ZKnwd2l61_/s320/WARP+Drop+Off.png" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
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We can see that bWAR and WARP are pretty similar as their calculations for wins above replacement don't differ too much. fWAR has the highest average drop-off per year. However, if I'm going to estimate where Pujols' wins above replacement should be for 2012 based on past performances, there's still one glaring issue. </div>
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In 2011, Pujols went on the disabled list for the longest time in his playing career. He fractured a bone in his wrist and missed about four weeks. He struggled before and after the disabled list stint which may have contributed to a lower than normal WAR year. As such, simply taking his 5.1 or 5.2 WAR depending on which calculation we use and subtracting the appropriate average drop-off doesn't work. A better method would be to average his WAR over his career, then subtract the average drop-off to give us a better projection of Pujols' expectations for 2012. </div>
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According to fWAR, Pujols has averaged 7.18 WAR per year. According to bWAR, he has averaged 7.63 wins. Finally, according to WARP, Pujols has averaged 8.46. </div>
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I'm clearly going into more detail than I'm sure Angels' GM Jerry Dipoto did, but we can now take the average of the three different WAR calculation over Pujols' career and take the average of each yearly drop-off to calculate just how much the Angels should have expected from Pujols. From a production standpoint, this is a pretty fair way of estimating what Los Angeles hoped to get. It accounts for the differing formulas for WAR, and it accounts for Pujols' normal decline due to age and injuries. </div>
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The combined average yearly WAR (fWAR, bWAR, and WARP averaged together) is 7.75. Taking each method's average drop-off in WAR per year and finding an overall average, we get an expected drop off of 0.19 WAR per year. That being said, the Angels could have realistically expected Pujols to be worth 7.56 wins for them this season compared with an average replacement-level player. </div>
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The next step is to estimate where Pujols will finish in WAR by the end of the year. Because it is impossible to predict injuries, hot streaks, and how the team performs around him, this is probably the weakest part of the calculation, but it's a necessary one. According to fWAR, Pujols has been worth 2.8 wins this season, bWAR says 3.7, and WARP calculates 2.9. Now, we must extrapolate that through the rest of the season to see where he may finish. Pujols has only missed three games out of the Angels' <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">112</span> so far this year, but I can't take into account how often he will play. That's already been figured into the WAR calculations. I must simply look at the remaining games on the Angels schedule verse the current WAR for Pujols to see what's probable. </div>
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The Angels have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">50</span> games left, which equals <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">30.86</span><span class="Apple-style-span">%</span></span> of the season remaining. Using the current pace for wins and the remaining games left on the schedule, Pujols could finish anywhere between 3.21 and 4.99 WAR (3.21 fWAR, 4.99 bWAR, and 3.94 WARP). Averaged out, Pujols will finish with about 3.71 wins above replacement - a substantial drop over last season, a continuation of the drop we've seen over his last few seasons, and not even in the same ballpark as his yearly average. </div>
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Now, we can finally talk about how much Pujols's early season slump has cost the Angels or will cost the Angels. We can talk in terms of money and wins. Let's start with the assumption that Jerry Dipoto made his contract offer based on detailed statistical analysis (with most players this would probably be true, but with Pujols, I'm sure it was just a strategy of giving as much money as the Angels ownership would allow him to). If Dipoto thought this first season (the lightest of Pujols' overall contract at just $12 million) would see Pujol produce at a level of about 7.56 wins above replacement, and assuming Pujols does in fact finish around 3.71 WAR, the Angels would have overpaid by around $6.1 million. </div>
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But in free agent dollars, players are often thought to be worth about $5 million per win. In that sense, the Angels are actually getting a deal by paying Pujols $12 million this season if he finishes with 3.71 WAR. Maybe Dipoto knew Pujols would struggle in adjusting to his move from St. Louis to Los Angeles and purposefully back-loaded the contract so the first season wouldn't be too costly for the Angels. Had we been using the same assumptions for the final year of Pujols' contract ($30 million), the Angels would have overpaid by a lot more. Of course, we can't use the same assumptions. So in truth, Los Angeles probably didn't overpay and Pujols' slump likely didn't cost the Angels anything monetarily this year. But that will change if things continue on this path in the subsequent seasons. </div>
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How much did Pujols' slump cost the Angels in the standings? As Pujols slumped early on, so did the Angels. At the beginning of May, the Angels were just 9-15. By the end of May they had finally climbed to .500. So it wasn't until June that Los Angeles started playing winning baseball. Of course, the Angels struggles as a team can't be solely placed on the shoulders of Albert Pujols, but his slump did contribute. But by how much?</div>
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Let's take Pujols' average WAR per year of 7.56. At this point in the season (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">112</span> games in), if Pujols were having an average season, he would be at 5.18 WAR already. Remember were using a combined average of fWAR, bWAR, and WARP. As it stands, we've already calculated him at 3.23 WAR thus far in the year. For the sake of this argument, I'm going to round that to a full two win difference. We can't have partial wins when talking about a pennant race. </div>
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The Angels are currently 59-53. They are seven games behind the Texas Rangers for first place and one and a half games behind Baltimore and Oakland for the second Wild Card spot. If Pujols had ben performing at career-average levels (less the expected yearly depreciation, of course) all season long, it's safe to assume the Angels would have had two more wins and two fewer losses, giving them a record of 61-51. With that record, they would be just five games out of first place in the American League West and they would own the top Wild Card spot. </div>
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These calculations and estimates are based on theory. Of course, we have no way of knowing where the Angels would rank in wins and losses had Pujols not slumped early in the year. Maybe with a successful Pujols in the lineup, the Angels would have waited longer to call-up Mike Trout. Maybe, the pitching staff would have been pitching with leads far more often and thus pitching with less pressure. We just don't know. It's clear, though, Pujols' slump had an affect. However, he seems to have figured things out. He now has great numbers - just not the superhuman numbers we are used to. </div>
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<i>You can follow me <a href="https://twitter.com/the5_5hole" target="_blank">@the5_5hole</a>, and check out my writing at <a href="http://calltothepen.com/" target="_blank">Call to the Pen</a> and <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/" target="_blank">Gaslamp Ball</a>.</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-25996574597096362112012-08-04T05:56:00.000-07:002013-12-15T11:30:31.306-07:00B.J. Upton and Justin Upton Hit Career Home Run Number 100 on the Same NightIt's not a normal occurrence. The fact is, two brothers playing in the Major Leagues is simply abnormal. Sure, it's been done before. Brett and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/booneaa01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Aaron Boone</a></strong>, Chris and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gwynnto02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Tony Gwynn</a></strong>, Cal and Billy Ripken, Phil and Joe Niekro. Those are just a few, but consider this; only about 0.5% of high school baseball players are ever drafted by a Major League club. This doesn't mean they make the 25-man roster. No, it simply means the odds of even being drafted - and in turn being given the opportunity to ride around on an old bus between cities hours apart - is a mere half a percent. So, the odds of two brothers both playing Major League Baseball is significantly less. The odds of two brothers hitting their 100th career home run on the same night? Almost non-existent. <br />
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But it happened.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/uptonju01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Justin Upton</a></strong> struck first. He was facing <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kendrky01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Kyle Kendrick</a></strong> of the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning of the Diamondbacks game in Philly last night. On a 2-0 count, Justin took an 81 mph change up to left field for his 100th career home run. B.J. hit his about an hour later. On the first pitch he saw in the fourth inning of his game against the Orioles in Tampa Bay B.J. took a 91 mph cutter from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hunteto02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Tommy Hunter</a></strong> to centerfield. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAenuVtOBrJr0XPiTZGY7-nycHwStecKCYDdEcoZbvOUKN1LfkiANQl6fIa3OdIP1CP_T0uVKmVYNH3HJLfp0wv46fx_nuovb5lD1fTXQEw7XHhSnoWniwXquR8ZrwtTvzxfy2QWHscZS0/s1600/Justin+Upton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAenuVtOBrJr0XPiTZGY7-nycHwStecKCYDdEcoZbvOUKN1LfkiANQl6fIa3OdIP1CP_T0uVKmVYNH3HJLfp0wv46fx_nuovb5lD1fTXQEw7XHhSnoWniwXquR8ZrwtTvzxfy2QWHscZS0/s1600/Justin+Upton.png" /></a></div>
The fact that both players hit their 100th career home runs in the same season is striking enough. The fact that they hit it in the same night is incredible. The fact that their hit them an hour apart is unbelievable. <br />
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Major League Baseball is unlike any sport in the events within the event. Other sports have individual moments - the single-season touchdown record, most points in an NBA game, Most goals in a Hockey game - but these moments pale in comparison to the uniqueness of what baseball has to offer. Brothers, who very rarely are on the same team, have a chance to be adversaries, rivals who are often compared to each other. They present a story within a story. Such is the case with the Upton brothers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQvAt6wU6ClhStM1LrcgrtZyqCxDbkNkPcCWwA-BtcevcdeLVc_HoQ-1wzZHCTdJxi-advq3Gc5bYpdtemm3HFYrbqhyb3z4gwl8hiejEMUJ8YWLeEsfiicQF2RXSyMhqRUgycLYxJQjD/s1600/BJ+Upton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQvAt6wU6ClhStM1LrcgrtZyqCxDbkNkPcCWwA-BtcevcdeLVc_HoQ-1wzZHCTdJxi-advq3Gc5bYpdtemm3HFYrbqhyb3z4gwl8hiejEMUJ8YWLeEsfiicQF2RXSyMhqRUgycLYxJQjD/s200/BJ+Upton.png" width="175" /></a></div>
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/uptonbj01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">B.J. Upton</a></strong> made it first, but only by virtue of being three years older. B.J. was drafted number two overall in 2002. Justin was drafted number one overall in 2005. That in and of itself is its own story. These brothers from Norfolk, Virginia took the odds that were stacked against them and broke them down with pure talent. Neither brother played college ball. Both were drafted straight out of high school and sent to Single-A ball.<br />
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The similarities between the Upton brothers and their career trajectories have been eery enough, but there's more. B.J. Upton made his Major League Debut with the Rays on August 2, 2004. Justin made his Major League debut with the Diamondbacks August 2, 2007. These boys, born three years apart and picked one and two in their respective drafts three years apart, were called-up on the same day three years apart. Baseball is an interesting game. <br />
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As similar as B.J. and Justin Upton's baseball lives have been, they aren't alone. As mentioned above, there are numerous brother combos to have played in the Majors. But did any of them share as many commonalities as the Upton boys do?<br />
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Felipe, Matty, and Jesus Alou all played at the same time. Felipe was born in 1935, Matty in 1938, and Jesus in 1942. They all made their Major League Debuts within a five year span. All were signed as amateur free agents by the Giants - Jesus was the only one to be signed by the San Francisco version of the Giants as the team had already moved west when he came of age. Felipe had 2,101 hits and 206 home runs. He was a three-time All-Star. Matty had 1,777 hits and 31 home runs. He was a two-time All-Star. Jesus had 1,216 hits and 32 home runs, but he never made an All-Star Game. Felipe and Matty both retired after the 1974 season. Jesus, though played five more seasons as he was the youngest, and retired in 1979. <br />
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Jim and Gaylord Perry were born three years apart, with Jim being the elder Perry brother. Both Perry brothers made their debuts in April just three years apart. Jim debuted on April 23, 1959. Gaylord debuted on April 14, 1962. These brothers in blood and in arms - both were pitchers - combined for 529 wins in their career. Gaylord took the bulk of those wins with 314, but Jim had a fair amount at 215. Jim was a three-time All-Star and a Cy Young Award winner. Gaylord was a six-time All-Star, two-time Cy Young Award winner, and is now enshrined in the Hall of Fame. They both had long careers, but Gaylord managed to pitch five years longer than Jim overall. Jim retired in 1975. Gaylord retired in 1983.<br />
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Another set of brother pitchers were Phil and Joe Niekro. They were born five years apart, Phil in 1939, Joe in 1944. They debuted just three years apart, though, and almost on the the same day. Phil made his Major League Debut on April 15, 1964. Joe made his debut on April 16, 1967. Unlike Phil, Joe was drafted. He was selected in baseball's second Major League Draft in 1966. Between the two of them, they have 539 wins. Phil has 318, and Joe has 221. Phil was a five-time All-Star. Joe was selected to the Midsummer Classic just once. Phil was selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. <br />
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If we go back even further in history, we can examine Paul and Lloyd Waner. These Hall of Fame brothers were born three years apart - Paul in 1903, Lloyd in 1906. Despite the age difference, Paul made his Major League debut just one year before Lloyd. Paul had 3,152 hits, was a four-time All-Star, and won league MVP in 1927. Lloyd 2,459 hits and was an All-Star in 1938. They both retired after the 1945 season. <br />
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How about the DiMaggio brothers? Vince, Joe and Dom all played in the Majors at the same time. Vince was the oldest, born in 1912. Joe was born two years later, and Dom was born three years after that. Joe, being the most successful of the DiMaggio boys actually made his Major League debut a year <i>before </i>his older brother Vince. Dom made his debut three years after Vince. Niether Vince nor Dom had nearly as long of careers as Joe did. And Joe outshines them both. Joe collected 2,214 hits and hit 361 home runs despite missing three full seasons due to military service. Dom also missed three years due to military service and was easily the second-best of the DiMaggio clan. Dom was a seven-time All-Star while playing for Joe's rival the Boston Red Sox. Vince made two All-Star games in his career but did quite have the success of Joe or even Dom. Vince retired in 1946, Joe retired in 1951 - and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1955, and Dom retired in 1953. <br />
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There are more sets of brothers to have played Major League Baseball, of course, but we've covered some of the most famous ones out there. None have the same eery similarities of the Upton brothers. We don't know if Justin or B.J. will ever make the Hall of Fame like many of the players listed above - it seems unlikely. But we know they share milestone that no brothers have ever shared before. <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8232377/brothers-justin-upton-bj-upton-brothers-hit-100th-career-home-runs" target="_blank">According to the Elias Sports Bureau</a>, there have only been five other brotherly pairs to both hit at least 100 career home runs in the Majors. The Uptons are in elite company. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-71854372997477177572011-11-14T21:08:00.000-07:002011-11-14T21:08:46.321-07:00Opportunity Comes KnockingThanks to everyone who has read my pieces on The 5.5 Hole, I have been offered a staff writer position with Call to the Pen and an editor position with Chicken Friars.<br />
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Call to the Pen is a well-run site under the FanSided sports blogger network. Check it out and check me out <a href="http://calltothepen.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. You can also check me out <a href="http://chickenfriars.com/" target="_blank">here </a>at Chicken Friars, a Padres themed site under the FanSided brand. <br />
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With the increased exposure these two sites offer, I will be able to reach a much wider audience than I would at The 5.5 Hole. Unfortunately, that mean The 5.5 Hole will go dormant. I will keep the site running. I may even pop in to add some content, but my main focus will be at Call to the Pen and Chicken Friars. <br />
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Thank you all for the support, and I hope you'll follow me at my new home/homes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-49451323119559936082011-11-13T09:48:00.000-07:002011-11-13T09:48:02.083-07:00Charlie LeaCharlie Lea is an icon. He has a statue in his honor standing tall in front of a ballpark. He played with legends and watched many more. He is in the record books for a no-hitter thrown on May 10, 1981. And he is dead at the age of 54.<br />
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"It would be difficult to imagine a less likely candidate for no-hit fame. After all, the 24-year-old righthander Lea had been massaged for 16 hits in his previous11 innings this season. In two previous starts he hadn't lasted past the fourth inning." ~ The Sporting News, May 23, 1981<br />
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The above paragraph, taken straight from an article written about Lea's no-hitter in Montreal, captures the surprise of Lea throwing a no-hitter. It's also fitting considering the sudden and surprising nature of his death. It seems to be a heart attack that took down the Memphis Redbirds broadcaster and former Major League All-Star. His death adding to the growing list of former players and managers taken before their time this year. <br />
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Lea is a celebrated figure in Memphis. He began his career there. He played high school ball there. He played college ball there. He broadcast games for the Double-A affiliate Redbirds there. And in the end, he died there. <br />
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While I do feel it necessary to pay tribute to a man lost well before his time, such eulogies are better written and better prepared by those who directly knew him. For me, I'd like to take a look at his career. A career full of more success than you would expect based on the few sentences captured above from The Sporting News.<br />
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Charlie Lea pitched for seven seasons in the Major Leagues. He made his big-league debut with the Montreal Expos on June 12, 1980. He was there on an emergency basis. They needed a pitcher and looked to Lea to fill that void for one game. However, he pitched well enough, earning the victory, to stay with the club. Lea finished the 1980 season with a 7-5 record in 21 games, 19 of which he started. At only 31 years old, Lea left the game because of nagging injuries. Prior to that, he was on his way to being one of the game's better pitchers.<br />
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In 7 seasons, Lea compiled a WAR of 10.1. His career FIP was 3.84. He never allowed more than 19 home runs in a season, but never struck out more than 137 batters in a season. <br />
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When trying to compare Lea with other pitchers, I came across an interesting comparison. While Andy Ashby pitched longer, he has strikingly similar statistics in his first 7 years in the league. Below are cummulative graphs of Lea's and Ashby's WAR and strikeouts over their first 7 years.<br />
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<img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /><br />
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src="data:image/png;base64,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" /><br />
<br />
Their upward slopes for both categories are almost identical. They had completely different careers, but as with their statistics, their careers had similarities. Lea threw a gem in his 1981 no-hitter. Ashby threw a gem in his 1998 75-pitch complete game. Lea made one All-Star Game, Ashby made two. <br />
<br />
No-matter the parallels, Lea and Ashby were different men whose lives went down different paths. With Lea gone, we are left with the memories, the photos, the videos, the recordings, and the statistics. As is often the case with men taken so young, the lingering questions of what-if will haunt the families and friends. They will haunt those who knew him and those who didn't. <br />
<br />
Charlie Lea was one month away from turning 55. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-41909262255747401842011-11-11T20:29:00.000-07:002011-11-11T20:29:01.863-07:00Papelbon and Other Overpaid ClosersWhen a team has money, evaluative methods seem to go out the window. The Phillies are proving this theory once again with the Jonathan Papelpon signing. The <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7220927/jonathan-papelbon-philadelphia-phillies-agree-4-year-50-million-deal-source-says" target="_blank">reported </a>deal is worth $50 million over 4 years. It could be worth more after incentives, but we'll analyze the contract based on the $50 million figure. That's $12,500,000 a year. <br />
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While a contract this huge for a player who pitches one inning every game or so seems insane, it is not all that uncommon. $12,500,000 a year makes Papelpon the second highest paid relief pitcher, but there were 4 other players who made over $10,000,000 a year in 2011. The fact is, though, saves can be bought for much less. <br />
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Last season, the average number of saves for all of baseball was right around 27 (rounding up). Based on the 2011 contracts of the closers earning these saves, the average salary was $3,840,129. The average cost of a save in 2011 was $143,021. <br />
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Based on Papelbon's $12,500,000 yearly contract with the Phillies, he would have to save 88 games to be worth the money. Anything less, the Phillies overspent. Anything more, they got a bargain. Anyone willing to bet the Phillies got a bargain?<br />
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Using the 2011 figures and our calculation of $143,021 cost per save, let's take a look at who over spent and who got a deal. <br />
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<img alt="" 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" /><br />
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As you can see, 25 of the 40 players analyzed exceeded their value based on saves. You'll notice there are players on this list with only single-digit saves, players who were injured, and players who lost their closer roles. This may skew the list slightly if we are thinking about players like Joe Nathan who made $11,250,000 and only saved 14 games. However, I think it balances out with players like Craig Kimbrel and John Axford. <br />
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The fact that 25 players exceeded their expected value indicates a greater need for contract analysis when signing closers. Jonathan Papelbon is just the most recent big name, but there are others. Heath Bell is going to be commanding a raise even with his "home town discount." Once Kimbrel and Axford reach their arbitration-eligible years, they will be making quite a bit more. I think if teams were operating a lot closer to the league average yearly salary for a closer, they would get more bang for their buck. <br />
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I understand the formula I'm working with here is more simplistic than the reality of finding decent closers for a proper salary. But the idea behind it is sound. $12,500,000 a year for a closer is far more than any team should pay. Anything over $10,000,000 is far more than a team should pay. In the grand scheme, saves only account for about half a teams wins. And remember, saves are just the last few outs (or last three innings depending on the circumstance) of a game. To pay a player as much as Papelbon will be paid is insane. Teams should spend their money elsewhere, like offense.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-80567526459816012042011-11-10T20:13:00.000-07:002011-11-10T20:13:06.366-07:00A Welcome DistractionI often write about baseball's influence on me, my family, future generations, life, and society. The story lines of the game provide a balance to the story lines of life. Never has this been more evident than in the past week. Unthinkable darkness took place on the campus of Penn State University. Sexual abuse of young boys has haunted our thoughts, discussions, and television screens for the past week. And today we learned that a promising young talent with the Washington Nationals, Wilson Ramos, was abducted in his native Venezuela. The horror we learn of almost daily has to be counter-balanced. Sports does that for us.<br />
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As Joe Paterno was being fired and students were overturning news vans, stories about baseball provided an outlet. An escape. To read the what-ifs or maybes of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder allows our brains to shut out the bad and operate on cruise control. Baseball has allowed us to do this for generations. There are other sports. Other distractions. But nothing like baseball. <br />
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From the Civil War to the World War I, from the Great Depression to World War II, from Korea to Vietnam to Iraq, baseball has been there. From Black Monday to the Iran Contra affair, from the Son of Sam to the BTK Killer, baseball has distracted. September 11th, The Great Recession, Penn State, Wilson Ramos, and more. Baseball doesn't stop. Baseball is unyielding in what it does. <br />
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With five months to go, the start of baseball's next season can't come soon enough. Silly stats and debates about the greatest of all-time are still a fall and a winter away. In between, we have off-season. We have predictions and outlooks to hold us over. As we tread through a scandal not seen before in sports history, the winter transactions of baseball executives give us something else to think about. As we wait, helpless for news of Wilson Ramos, Ramos' beloved sport, our beloved sport, give us something to take our minds off things.<br />
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The distraction of sports helps keep us going. With a game on TV, a trip to the ballpark, or an article here or there, we push forward. The games will go on and so will we. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-36655651579631261952011-11-10T08:59:00.001-07:002011-11-10T12:15:11.467-07:00Wilson Ramos AbductionSo frightening was the news of Wilson Ramos' abduction in Venezuela that I'm not sure many people know how to respond. The obligatory (and truly heartfelt) messages of concern have been passed around the Major League Baseball community, but no one has ever had to deal with the abduction of a player. <br />
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Latin American countries are often known for the kidnapping of wealthy victims. Abduction in places like Venezuela is truly a for-profit business. According to the Venezuela National Statistics Institute, 16,917 people were abducted in the country between 2008-2009. Yet, this is the first instance we know of in which a current player has been taken. <br />
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With the increasing number of Latin-born players, Ramos' abduction proves doubly frightening. One, the fact that he was taken is terrifying on its own. Two, if this abduction sets a precedent, the countless number of Latin-American players who travel back to their home countries to live or play ball will be doing so with heightened risk. <br />
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Perhaps most terrifying of all is the helplessness. Major League Baseball, the Washington Nationals, or anyone for that matter have very little they can do but wait and hope. <br />
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My thoughts are with Ramos and his family. All I can do is hope and wait. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-85338388766657380302011-11-07T07:38:00.001-07:002013-11-27T05:22:28.028-07:00DisgustAs a general rule I don't venture outside the realm of baseball when writing. I stand by the belief that writers should stick to what they know and what they love. However, every so often a story comes to light that shakes not only its specific sport but sports and the nation as a whole. Often times, I will find a way to relate these stories to baseball in some obscure way, through anecdotes, minor correlations, or some other way. In the case of the charges levied against former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, Athletic Director Tim Curley, and VP Gary Schultz, the only correlation to baseball is that in baseball, and all sports, coaches are the trusted guardians of the young athletes and anyone else who may interact with them. <br />
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Jerry Sandusky, if the allegations are true, violated the trust many young people had in him. He is alleged to have committed acts so horrendous, they don't bare repeating here. But the scandal goes beyond that. A witness of one such encounter between Sandusky and a young boy reported the act to head coach Joe Paterno. According to Grand Jury testimony, Paterno immediately relayed the accusation to his boss, Tim Curley. But nothing ever happened. No police investigation. No child welfare checks. Instead, Sandusky was simply barred from further use of the Penn State facilities. <br />
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The cover-up and refusal to act is the most disgusting part. Especially considering the allegations that Sandusky abused many more boys AFTER this particular incident. And through it all the media is giving Paterno a pass "until the facts come out." At first I accepted this. Paterno reported what he was told to his boss. But that's not enough is it? To simply tell an Athletic Director of the crimes that may be being carried out on school grounds by a former employee is not enough. To wash his hands of the matter after that is wrong. And the fact that news outlets, of both the sporting variety and conventional kind, are ignoring this is an example of hypocritical journalism at its peak. <br />
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I do believe in the basic premise of "innocent until proven guilty," but there is nothing left to prove in Paterno's case. What's left is a case against Sandusky. If the case against Sandusky is proved true, it makes Paterno's inaction all the more disheartening, troubling, and frightening. <br />
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Joe Paterno's statement alone tells a story of failure to respond. Failure to investigate. Failure to protect. He admits that a Graduate Assistant and his father came to him and told of what the Assistant had witnessed. With this knowledge, allegations so hideous they hurt to even think about, Paterno only told his boss. If this had been any other coach in sports, any other person in sports, he would be getting crucified from all angles. The claims made against Sandusky warranted police involvement. When Paterno realized his AD had not involved them, his responsibility was to notify the authorities on his own. <br />
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I can understand the difficulty many established, smart, and talented writers face in this situation. To take a stand prior to Sandusky's day in court would mean attacking an old friend. Joe Paterno is about as well-liked and respected as a coach can be. <br />
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Yet, failure to call out the wrongs of a person you've known and liked for many years, is no different than ignoring the actions of a man you knew for 30 plus years. A man who may have abused little boys. Joe Paterno failed to act against his former friend, and mainstream media has failed to address the wrongs of Joe Paterno. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-83907087499859684912011-11-07T05:56:00.001-07:002011-11-09T09:33:02.103-07:00104There aren't many things that last 104 years in this world. Most people don't. Cars don't. Some building don't. There are very few walking this earth still who were alive when the Cubs last won a World Series. Much will be written about the Cubs, their failures, their near misses, and their future. I'm here to tell you the 103 year drought will become 104 years after next season. <br />
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Don't get me wrong, the Chicago Northsiders are on the right track. Nothing is guaranteed, but hiring the front office Chicago did is about as close as you can get to a sure thing. Unfortunately for the Wrigley faithful, the Cubs organization was in such shambles when Epstein was hired, it will take time to rebuild. Even with Epstein and Hoyer's intellect. Even with Jason McLeod's eye for talent. Even with a new manager and a couple offseason transactions, it will take the Cubs a couple of years to dig out of the impossibly deep and embarrassing hole they've put themselves in. <br />
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And in the process we get to see Theo Epstein do something we've never seen before. Operate on a smaller budget. Given the contracts of Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, and Aramis Ramirez, Epstein will surely be playing with far less money than he's used to. Based on the state of the Cubs farm system, this could be the greatest thing for them. Epstein, Hoyer, and McLeod need to focus first on rebuilding the farm, then they can rebuild the big club. <br />
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And therein lies the reason why the Cubs will not be sniffing anywhere near a World Series next season. They will be hard-pressed to finish over .500. <br />
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In the long run though, Cubs fans should appreciate the building process that is about to occur. Re-shaping a losing franchise doesn't take place overnight, and winning a World Series isn't as easy as it sounds. The Cubs will need sustained success to increase their odds of breaking the 103, soon to be 104, year drought. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-35832668955976626932011-11-06T15:46:00.000-07:002011-11-06T15:46:46.330-07:00A Towering FigureLeading a small-market team - you know, the type with the a payroll that could barely cover one player on the Yankees roster - to four play-off appearances in 14 years (including the 1998 World Series) would normally be a celebrated accomplishment. I'd be willing to bet Pirates fans would sell their souls (or their Barry Bonds rookie cards) for such a run. However, Kevin Towers, with the Padres ownership falling apart, was given his walking papers. In 2009, Jeff Moorad took over as CEO of the club, and began the long process to take over ownership as well. His first move? Fire the General Manager that saw the club to its most prosperous period. <br />
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This piece is not an indictment of Jeff Moorad, nor is it a second-guessing of moves made two years ago. It is simply an examination of Towers and his highly underrated talents. There's never been a question about Towers' reputation in baseball. "Well respected," "a friend," and "talented" are often the terms used to describe Towers. However, no matter what level of success he achieved through player development, trades, and free agency, Towers is rarely on anyone's short list of best GM's in the game. He'll always be considered one of the better GM's, but has never been linked to any high-profile vacancies.<br />
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And that's just fine with the Diamondbacks. Hired mid-season in 2010, Kevin Towers began re-shaping an organization that had little identity outside "that team that beat the Yankees." What it seems the Diamondbacks are realizing in Towers is his unique ability to understand a clubhouse's dynamics along with player evaluation skills that allow him the buy low and sell high with the best of them. Now, they have rewarded his talents. The Diamondbacks <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7189206/arizona-diamondbacks-give-kirk-gibson-kevin-towers-new-contracts" target="_blank">extended Towers' contract</a> through the 2014 season with a mutual option for potentially two more years. <br />
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Towers began the quick re-building and turnaround of the Diamondbacks almost instantly. And he didn't quit. He ridded the team of fan favorites like Mark Reynolds and Kelly Johnson. He introduced new favorites like Ryan Roberts (the Tat Man), and Paul Goldschmidt (the Double-A Bomber - Nickname courtesy of The 5.5 Hole). He also backed the beloved Kirk Gibson as manager, and changed Gibson's title from interim-manager to just manager. Towers brought new life to the Arizona pitching staff, including the addition of J.J. Putz to the bullpen. But even before re-tooling a Diamondbacks team that had the worst bullpen in baseball, Towers was working wonders with San Diego.<br />
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On December 16, 1997, Kevin Towers sent three prospects to the Florida Marlins for a dominant pitcher named Kevin Brown. This was part of a win-now philosophy rarely employed by Padres teams. And it worked. Kevin Brown went 18-7 with 257 strikeouts, and he helped the Padres win the National League pennant. <br />
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On December 20, 2005 Towers pulled off another huge pitching acquisition (although it would be over-shadowed by some guy named Adrian Gonzalez. More on that in a bit). The Padres were hoping to repeat as the Division Champs in 2006, so Towers went searching for starting pitching help. The Rangers were in need of pitching help of their own. Towers sent an injury-prone Adam Eaton, a decent Akinori Otsuka, and a prospect to Texas. In return he got Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young. Excluding his shortened 2010 season, Young averaged an ERA+ of 103.5. Pretty solid considering Adam Eaton averaged an ERA+ of 72.83 and Akinori Otsuka was out of the game after the 2007 season. <br />
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Beyond the pitching moves, which Towers became known for, he brokered some pretty huge position player deals. Now we can talk about Adrian Gonzalez. In what will likely go down as the greatest trade in Kevin Towers' career, former first-round pick Adrian Gonzalez came to the Padres in the Eaton and Otsuka deal. Gonzalez didn't get much of a chance in Texas with Teixeira at first and batted just .227 during his rare time in the 2005 season. However, once reaching the Padres, he averaged a triple-slash of .288/.374/.514. He smacked 131 home runs in five season and made the All-Star team in 3 of his 5 season in San Diego. <br />
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Before Gonzalez, Kevin Towers brought in many role players such as Mike Cameron, Greg Vaughn, Steve Finley, and Woody Williams. Obviously none of these players are of the caliber mentioned above, but considering the payroll Towers was working with in San Diego, his contributions as a whole were impressive. <br />
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So with another Division Crown under his belt, a team that should see little competition next season from anyone save for the Giant, and the added desire to move deeper into the play-offs it's no surprise the Diamondbacks extended Towers' contract. Perhaps an extended run of postseason success will raise Towers' stature across baseball, but for now I'm sure he is happy quietly weaving success on the west.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-56442836061150220162011-11-05T08:14:00.000-07:002011-11-05T08:14:52.387-07:00Park Factor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </div><br />
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" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>It's interesting how one arrives at a story idea. I read a an article about the Padres and their plans for 2012. The article had very little to do with the size of Petco Park. It had very little to do with the general feel from most fans and players that the walls need to be brought in. Yet, that's exactly what I pulled from the article. I was charged up and ready to defend the so-called "pitcher's parks" in baseball. But as I began my research (which started with park factor stats), I discovered something far more interesting. The league leader in park factor for both runs and home runs has been on a steady increase since 2008 after and steady decrease from 2001-2008. (Note: there was a slight drop in the leader for park factor related to home runs in 2011)<br />
<br />
Park factor simply compares the rate of a specified stat at home for teams vs. the rate on the road. A park factor of 1 is average. Anything less than 1 is below average and anything over 1 is above average. For example, 1.25 would be 25% higher than the average. For the math nerds, <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor" target="_blank">ESPN </a>has a calculation for you: ((homeRS + homeRA)/(homeG)) / ((roadRS + roadRA)/(roadG)).<br />
<br />
Below is a chart of the park factor leaders in runs from 2001-2011:<br />
<br />
<img alt="" height="268" 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+Gfav/673c61WZnZEiV/ZoQdqcekhextFn+OL9WcVxPxcrDt9WrDcNPHNrIH02cEb2zVdr/ZF104c6j/ej0vTq76JX2P4nViL3//PwvtV/+8tZgy43ll/Nrlfnbv9K+/x/r243S/qM/0/7yQbNjKdN2gmuX5xCa7BARlQ9fxbfVawvP3T3Jw7Jm9XzGsmv/idYXGA5nxIuH6PXRrWZiwWnQ+nJm7Xt1Y/ll5cPXcKu0U21br8itF7W5zYPyu8/VZqfy4avZ4Lz4+M38WuXWg9cTo9f8+e7bkTUhrvbRV8rza//9W+1f/adHjfXthllKo33i+gQSUJOdUdQt1xWEL7xqfTm782jf+plffPzG3VM9LGsmj175bLWIH5fR66NbjauCU6Lbuxzpe7X67L36vlfVZuf+05p1BJT1cry0/8lNlWqt42qzs1Ntr28//Pfat//hXmV+rWKdVGQ4m7//zjGtv/tW07792ZwHe2uv5eIgpm2yc/VSgEzntHv/ac36Ib+x/NLd59bkYVmzsU/v2KmVed/jzFODs49uNRMKTpVqszPS96r15UxBua0vZ2ulujQdbz14vbXX8t4GLl8o4q807c/WOtVmZ2uvtb7dWH32+z/RfvXna5Xr2Rdzd//wy19YnvKLv/23d0tzt/72X2hDG//f5JpM3WRnqT0nLrjU7V1u7DatX1uvLTxfK9U9ThzrZVkzeZuNdU8+wDEWTPTad6sZUigUsn1LS0vZ9FnMLt/46X+Lv97/ePf//peF38+orN/8/Nu/W3h4/cc/jifur37c0hf+552fczMq2q4+//CP//QP//hP/3lh7W8W/vDrnx7/xU///Bc//bO1Yi7ejV9/p33z/Q+yzd/9euRfP3z/jWXX8Sf+8P03Wn9fwNYPiw9+9eOW9YP6lz/9r9/8/FtPr/H9N5Zvmd98/0M2Wyj8vfOyZpZvuNY81vjimADZAKJXdqPCZcHptLXXGul7FeCiC93eZWn/08i9qLn+FB/3n9YiOMV0af/TXH8KsEn7Bt1kR5Mz7NVax9aOGuadkQj+BSF2Aohe6VnPZcGp1fpyZu24FEjfq/K7z/eevLWGumgZu/fkbZTXNDy76ImqTvoWMnWTnZjGgzY72Oucdke6It7MvYryHxHiJYir3qEduOp1q9u7XH323vq3vVaq++h71Wif3H9as95FFj/miMNYrGMoxjjZD5GU32D23GRn3cYlL8acXfTWtxvWr7DXsy82dpuJm5MOYXIZvX7Oem4KRuXDV2tq3l7dc9n36vDofH27Ie08pa+UN8sfZfNPRdfWXsvjOA0geFt7rZFvsfef1qIzFh+J4emqN/iCYRhG57RrvTV7beG5w+Q4ndPu1l5r5P6TaLVeffZeTa/pwB0enYvD5/IC6lWbnZHB63ce7cdi/lfEEdEbFZvlj9Y2rsXHb6wNxd3e5U61vfj4jbTz1F//qaZp30kbT6UzN0mbXEOf40l8n0jwck+IoNaXs5G/LH2lHPq8N0g2ojdCGu0T60TKN5Zf1lrHlQ9fc5sH0nkwFh+/2akW/sppthPZzE2Wjr+Wf4a/iND6dsM8rtzmgfrSkUJnF72R/hbXsy82yx/DrheSj+iNlm7vcmS6nPEfc+Kn4c5TbnrA9XeQR6+H15qR1pczcfqjzRmztln+OPUUGYBPRG8UVT58Hb/M1VfK69sNm85TtnEpn7lJDAiT9IoLc6yruOivDi26AASp/O7zSP/Excdv4tUtEXFH9EZU57Rrjre5sfzy/tPapO4eE/Oyns8Mgraoa1omXy/q4+Eb7iQTYqbr+09rYdUBCdZon4ws1XXrwWu+50E9ojcZXCSm2MU6BGy4xTn0VchqrWNxnzvEaiB5pCsfMEUGwkL0JoPtHJ/jMzcNdaOyjM2OyNROoiWQ6foQiG7vcmSKjGsLz9e3G/QnQIiI3rhznu1kwjCiQYPz8MuE2OgsLk3WSsw0hWntVNsjU2TkNg+YIgOhI3oRLdVmR3QrC7suiLFqszMy88z8WoUpMhARRC+ipdu7FL27YzozF8J1eHQ+MkXGzdyrkXlairpt247N3DJ2y/WZ2yNwqwaxQvQicnKbB+YZc327EXZdECdnF721Un1k5YPN8sfh27rm7Rgvs9DY92Os5zOZfN793PWAiehF5JTffRaTh4RdF8TGyEokc3dLq8/e20+R4XMWmiFX2z0sGwOYiF5ETrd3KS5cmOgAbrS+nFkvdu882p90t8LLLDTDa5KL7f3IJXrhGdGLKBKrlDOhLtwQPar0lbK7KTK8zEJj3VeMHhgELtELz4heRFFp/5PolRp2XRB1YuGNawvPXXfN8zILTT2fGex7FbTDV8KhDshDDBG9iKKzi55oP2RGeziotY7FR2Vrr+X6eR5mobHuLFvYi6teeEb0IqLEXLul/U9h1wUR1e1diiU37jzad/ckH7PQWC9yx1OW6IVnRC8iamuv5fGUitQRc59dz75gjirECNGLiOqcdsUNPKbbxbjKh6+iSzMLISBeiF5El+i2yokVIzqnXTGKN7d5EHZ1AG+IXkTXxm7TPLfee/I27LogWsTws5u5V3TEQ+wQvYiuw6NzcSePNmcIYuzZ3N0SC90jjoheRJrov1r58DXsuiASDo/OxQIbrCyJmCJ6EWlitoT7T2th1wWRIEad3XrwmraQyEjQCKuhGVRmhehFpNVax+Z59sbyy7DrgvCJ2/9eJq6CJ0Pjnl3HqV30Dr2a60SzW7DCzROnjk2iFzAM42buFXf1YBhGo30iJq7a2G2GXZ2ksiSPZUKvSRyi10eOEb0zLhiYaPXZe27sodu7vPXgNTN7z541efozaFqvXS2LRui62CCidySux3JM8lLWbXpxfA/LfNn9Z4yUbl+cIZuJzLEOGV0fegNkC1ZZih68lqfvCkQvoq7a7IhhJGHXBaFZK9VFd3eWkqx8+CpagwL5uZl71Z+x1fmqVzxa1IcakM3oHX+CQ/N1/6Ukl7iWTdZZswebR0ofr55sg+TK3FoHy5yi48tmDC1UZSna7z1uohcxICZPaLRPwq4LQiC+fjGntynY3BW3zw3DGA7LoYgZuxS1Zo75+HgaSi5DR19KnojSJRnFdtft2yMrTFm/VNjVYejbxfhzh4s23y3v6Uv0IgZymwfm2WF9uxF2XaDa2UVPJA2Tq5hEd7MAf/qDCGzabC1LN9lEr150ukq2fSnZfd3BtuFHfUWvdMGLkcOxi15JIbKtRZ0GZySQmK331oPXYdcFqokvXjeWXzJx1ezZRO8gCe2jV9J4bJ+F4qVk2Tt4dWuD8yDaXUevbJVHmzrIGpwl1/Hyor32zSJ6EQPd3qXo2sp9vlTZqbaZuEotaYiIVmhd152idyyvxl9t/KVGuln1X0/Szcrptq0x8krWDmGjm5zqoBdHFm0ef7nhy3A/vayIXsSEmLOXUSXp0TntiomrmFMFSUL0Ih7E1Q8DS9LjzqN98z9dXykzcRWShOhFPJxd9ESbM4uip8HWXkv0vK21jsOuDhAkohexIa6BtvZaYdcFs9X6cia+adGtHclD9CI2xFJxdx7th10XzFC3d3l7dc/8v769uhd2dYDgEb2Ijc5pV7RAMsgkwcRyVdcWntOhHYlE9CJOxIJxO9V22HXBTIi1qpi4CgnmIXqLunSeMMOwjm1yPaiY6IUPYhIfZjVKpG7vUl8pm//Fi4/fhF0dYFZcRq85ichg9q3RRyXzjrgqGPDk8OhcNEUy2iR57j+tiYmr6MeOBPPU4GwXve53GC0Y8EqsHFf58DXsuiBIYrrQubul8rvPYVcHmKFgotcyBZfT8wuFQrZvaWkpC3j3Nwt/MM/Ov/7pcdh1QWB+8/Nvr/1YTNX/bKFQ8HnaRvxlA73qHUyt7bJgwKvWl7O5/rqtYdcFgVl8/EYsHMutBCResNHrocmZ6IVvYgk55tNPBjFie+5uiYmrkAZBRO/IMg9c9WLG1kp18zS9+ux92HXBtA6Pzpm4CmnjMnqHVmKyLmuoF4cfZXARZq/a7IjGybDrgmmJsdq3V/doakZKeLrqDb5gwJ8byy9pn0wAMVD72sLz1pezsKsDKEL0IpbEAFCaKOOr0T4RTc0siYFUIXoRS2IMqL5SDrsu8MM6cRVrMCNtiF7EUrd3eT37wjxx01AZR6vP3otBYkxchbQhehFXuc0D89y9sdsMuy7wRnSUYyUMpBPRi7jaqbZZ0jWOzi56YmR2bvMg7OoAISB6EVfd3qXopEOLZYyI5oqbuVesu4x0InoRY3ce7dM/Nl5EWwWTkSHNiF7EmJiAkC6ysdA57YrOcWsll7PvAAlE9CLGzi56YkIGmi6jT0xcpa+UmbgKaUb0It7E2by0/ynsusDJZvmj+J7UaJ+EXR0gTEQv4m1rr2We0Bcfvwm7LrDV+nIm+sQxGAwgehFvh0fn4lqKNsxo6vYub6/ucVceEIhexJ44rZfffQ67LpBY326IiasOj87Drg4QPqIXsSfO7MzPEEG11rEYTcT9eMBE9CL2Wl/OxEUVbc6R0u1diomr7j15G3Z1gKggepEEYg0cZmmIFDFx1Y3ll4z+AgSiF0mwVqqbp/j7T2th1wVXxMKOc3dLlQ9fw64OECFEL5JA3FC8sfwy7LrAMAyjc9q9sfzSzfehoq5pWiYvm9uqns9optHHzUf0ouUlLPrbgagiepEQ4p5irXUcdl1gLD5+42LiqqKuaXqxqMujt6hfba7nM0N71POZTD6vSyO2KN8MRArRi4S4/7TG5MARIebWvrbw3MU3Ibvotdmjns9oelGesVePARFH9CIhxOrr+ko57LqkWqN9IiauWt9uuHjGxOgd2qEfubLonRziQCQQvUiIbu9SrIrT+nIWdnVS6uyiJ1r+b6/uuXvShMCUBq8sernkRWwQvUgOMZTF3cUWgidu8d5Yftk57bp7klP0jsTpaIcq6xPNG8dTVR9QhOhFcpTfffZ4vYUgiWnFPA6wto1exzAdveqlsRkxQvQiObq9S3GXkbmCFRP32ufuljbLH909aTB6yHIF2w/c4QfHcnU4emlsRqwQvUiUe0/eejz7IwCHR+fiRjurNwITEb1IFDGshcXplLGuCaivlJkwEpiI6EWinF30RJszGaCG6N12beE5fcsBN4heJM38WoUl6pQRzQyslwy4R/Qiabb2WmYS3Hm0H3ZdEq7WOhZtDKvP3oddHSA2iF4kTee0K9o/Wb53dqyzZ8yvVXirAfeIXiSQ6PWzU22HXZfEuvNo3/vsGQAMg+hFIm3sNs1UuPfkbdh1SSYxe8a1hedeZs8AYBhELxLp8OjcDIbr2Rc0hAZOzBrG+GnAH6IXyaSvlM1sqHz4GnZdEsU6ewaNCoA/RC+SSbSI3n9aC7suydHtXd568FrMnkGLAuAP0YtkqrWORSegsOuSHGL2jOvZF8yeAfhG9CKxxNAX+gEFQgyYZvYMYEpELxJr9dl7MyfWSqwlNy1mzwAC5CF6i7pk4S7TYHUv1wtmEr2YNbGM3c3cq7DrEm+d06519oywqwPEnsvoNVfQtFuLuqhfba7nM27Dl+iFAjeWX5qB0WifhF2XGBPTYt/MvWL2DGB6nhqc7aLXyx7DBQMzJboFrW83wq5LXK2V6mL2jFrrOOzqAEkQbPRO2KFQKGT7lpaWssCM/bfF3131yP3xj2HXJZZ+WHwgulb93cLDsKuTKIVCwfsZGwmRDTB63V/yuisOmFa3dyk6Bx0enYddnZixzp6R2zwIuzpAcgQWvfV8RtOLXgsGZu3ek7dmeGzsNsOuS5x0e5diRjBmzwCCFUz0mr2wfBQMzNpOtU3XXB/EV5br2Rc0GADBchm9g9FDlhFE/cAdftBlozPRCzXOLnqizZneuS5tlj8yewYwO56ueoMvGFBArCy7tdcKuy4xYJ09g57hwCwQvUi+0v4nM0juPNoPuy5R1zntisHQNNEDM0L0Ivk6p10xMvXsohd2dSLNOnsG7xUwI0QvUkEkyk61HXZdogeM/UwAAAlhSURBVEvMes3sGcBMEb1IhY3dZrxWd3eYMl3yaFHXhuhFu432yu8+i65V3BQHZoroRSocHp2L67lQhqhWm53VZ+/n1yq5zYNJK91OmjLd6VHDKOqSkJVutGh9ORNdq5g9A5g1ohdpcevBazNaKh++qimx27vcqbZzmwdiTijxM79WmTRox3l2OLtHpXPbTJjwxjp7xu3VPWbPAGaN6EVarG831FzVdU67W3utxcdvRuJ2/Odm7tXWXsumN5Ov6JVunjTFq6gqs2cAahC9SIvWlzMRMDN6/Y3dpri2HvnRV8qrz95XPnwVs0SJn+vZF6vP3o9lno/o9XPJa509Q1l7AJByRC9SRKz3Xm12gnpN8yaueOWRn9ure5vljyM3dzun3bVSfbwVevHxG0vFvEevdEJXx1leq80Os2cA6hG9SBGx9Ozqs/fTvI7DTVyzJ9fi4zel/U/O81Z2e5el/U/iJqv1+ri0/6nb2/IavV4bm62zZzDZCKAS0YsUqTY74iarj6c738S9sfwyt3lQfvfZazelyoevw6/5h1/+wn7KdPmE6p4bm7u9y9ure8yeAYSC6EW6iOs891NGuLmJO/0EFIdH5/ef1kTzr/jJbR402idTvvg46+wZs3h9AA6IXqTL/ac1l7c2fdzEnd7ZRW+z/HG80NurewHOwyUWUpy7WyrtfwrqZQG4RPQiXSofvoqr1fFHA7mJG4idaltMfmkdjLSx25yycdg6e8b9p7WgKgzAPaIX6dLtXYpYFdeszjdx/92/0TTtT/7r/5HfxB2b8XHoXqy40TrY6m5Ba1OjfZLbPBhphb628Pz+05q/AbhnFz1mzwBCR/QidXKbB6Kf86SbuL//c89zOtbzGVlH46sQrucznsLXMAyjc9pd326Iu9Ti586jfa8jcZk9A4gCohepY73T6e4mrqchttLodflSTszBSONfFPSV8tZey831q1hDYi7Qkc0AvCJ6kTrd3uV4E67jTVyv0StZLEhsnbB+kAvVZkc6JdZaqe5wISsGVs3dLW3sNqetBIApEL1II3M+Z9cjcf2tZCBtXK7nM0HEr2EcHp2vPns/3h3s3pO34yOdDo/ORXv14uM305cOYBpELzCRz+j1t5iBJ93e5dZeSzoYSYwacj97hrdFgq+Y1/OS6/sADxNIGKIXmMhn9A6mTy7qYg/HOZX9K7/7fOfR/kgA31h+ubHbFEOZry08tx+I7HOR4Ho+k8nnLasBi0P106EMSAmiF3AgnbXRcU7Hoi6Z5dG65yzjqPXlbHwwkpfZMzx+ybiaqLKoy75NBHp5DyQK0QskzdlFb2O3OTIYyd2KEd6itx+50ugleQFbRC+QWDvVtnmX986jfXezZ3iJ3kHgSqKX4AUcEL0ABA/Ra21ZlzSvz+B+NpAYRC8AwV+HsqGr3hn1IwOShOgFYPjpUDZgid7hHWl0BqSIXgAAlCJ6AQBQiugFAEApohcAAKWIXgAAlCJ6AQBQiugFAEApohcAAKWIXgAAlCJ6AQBQiugFAEApohcAAKU8RG9Rd5oN3flRu4IBAEgbl9FrLmDisGSYw6NOBQMAkDaeGpz9reXpVDAAAGmjNHoLhUK2b2lpKQsAaVUoFLyfsZEQWa56AQBQiegFAEApohcAAKVcRm89n9EGrhLW7Nhs96irggEASBtPV73BFwwAQNoQvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSRC8AAEoRvQAAKEX0AgCgFNELAIBSgUVvUdc0LZOveysYAIC0CSR6i7qm6cWiTvQCADBJgA3ORC8AAJMpjd5CoZDtW1paygJAWq2srEx3ykWMZVN11UuhFEqhFBqFEsMqFBFB9FIohVJo2gtNyWEiOoheCqVQCk17oSk5TERHINFbz2e0AXf5+7vf/c5vcf5RKIVSKIVGocSwCkVEBHjVCwAAJiN6AQBQiugFAEApohcAAKWIXgAAlCJ6AQBQiugFAEApohcAAKWIXgAAlIpW9A6mxbJOiVXUJRNlSTdebfYwn+X0hcqfnsRCLa+hFxUVOjRRmvtSpz5SS7nuSp2qxMEWbwca2KfIy8co6h9d6UnA9vM8y0J9nY6QEpGK3qJ+9Smt5zOa0z/ljxd1TdOL3qaSDqDQ8W0KCr06Oass9OrXTD6vewjBKQut5zM+zlzTHqnXz1Ag7614Jdfv7nSF1vMZzfIxUlOo+TfaP9DgC5WeBCa+57Mo1OfpCGkRqegdEB/Y4ZPC1WbpRptf1RTqv+DpCvV5sD4LvXrAQzhMXai/6J2uUC9BFEyJAz7LnvIw/ZXqo9Chjb4+vM6FSn+d+Jc7i0KnKQ5pEM3oHXxeh0+9gz/g8Y02v6op1He5PgsVTWG+IsJnof3I9Re9/gq1NjirKnS4+ddjqdN9iqb9KuWxUHGkU32V8vjeiq1+An9CodJfJ/3lzqTQKYpDKkQxekf+PNVE73SFTh28PvO+ns9MEQ5eT5qDlkLPp+qpj9Rb2/pUhVqf5qVVdOrDnPaS12uhRV3TMvl6UfcRvn4LtX6X8nwbdGKh0l+njF5/hfouDikRuegdOf2MtfDoRZuNll89f9anLNTfKXPqI+1v83K4vgstjvQE8lJqvI50+Pzq4XvGtIfpMeanLdRauMdPcGD/oV4O102hll+HondCTWZQqONGIGLRKzn5uO/BMXgNz99qpynU1wlzukJF/w+PpQfx9hpeT14BFarySIcb9t19mqY/TH8tob4LHSrdy5sb3KfIU289d4UOdrf8PumjNZNCnTYCkYre4bYo8Ym1bB6+0Bzd6Ksta8pCbZ6u7kjd/11PW6jgJXqnLNR6ra3ySAflujvS6Uv00XIS6N+Ll0v7KQp1/GAFUaj8JOCn2GkLnappHYkXpegFACAFiF4AAJQiegEAUIroBQBAKaIXAACliF4AAJQiegEAUIroBQBAKaIXAACliF4AAJQiegEAUIroBQBAqUH05nK5LAAAmLFcLncVvQAAQJn/D7j7smKKKmw/AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC" width="400" /> <br />
<br />
And the park factor leaders for home runs from 2001-2011:<br />
<br />
<img alt="" height="263" 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" width="400" /><br />
<br />
As you can see, the two charts have a similar slope. Downward from 2001-2008, and upward after:<br />
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<img alt="" height="263" 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" width="400" /><br />
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Why was there such a shift in park factor leaders starting in 2009?<br />
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There have been four new ballparks opened since the start of the 2008 season; The New Yankee Stadium (2009), Citi Field (2009), Nationals Park (2008), and Target Field (2010). Now we can easily say that Yankee Stadium is conducive to offense. The first year of existence saw a record number of home runs hit. It has been in the top four for park factor home runs since it opened. In 2011, Yankee Stadium ranked 6th in park factor for runs. In 2010, it ranked second. Nationals park has hovered around average for both runs and home runs since it opened. Both Citi Field and Target Field are thought to lean more towards the pitcher-friendly side of the fence. <br />
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Even if the new ballparks caused an overall shift, the shift would only apply to the average. These numbers in the charts above reflect the league leader each year. In 2008, the last year of the decline in park factor for runs, the Rangers led the league. In 2009 and 2010, the Rockies led the league in park factor for runs as we started to see the park factor climb. In 2011, the Rangers again led. For home runs, the park factor leader stayed the same in 2008 and 2009. The Yankees led both of those years. Then, as the park factor leader's numbers began to climb, the White Sox led the league in 2010, followed by the Rangers in 2011. <br />
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This tells me more about the make-up of these teams rather than the parks themselves. There have not been enough drastic changes to the ballparks to cause the upward slope we see in the park factor leader boards. To me, it seems the clubs with offense-friendly ballparks have begun doing a better job of putting together teams that can exploit those parks. Once a front office has determined what type of players fit a ballpark best, the team should and usually does play that park to a distinct home field advantage. <br />
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From 2001-2008 teams had less separation and the leaders in park factor runs and home runs were getting closer and closer to average. However, as teams adjusted and attempted to build clubs that reflect the ballpark better, the successful ones opened the gap. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-35756952223189195892011-11-02T20:47:00.000-07:002011-11-02T20:47:58.496-07:00VacancyMost off-seasons are headlined by free agency. This one is no exception. The difference this season lies with the managers. There are three vacancies at the helm of some high-profile clubs. Unlike other managerial hunts for teams like the Nationals, Marlins, A's, and Astros, this hunt features some of the most coveted positions in baseball.<br />
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The Chicago Cubs, The St. Louis Cardinals, and the Boston Red Sox are all looking for new managers. The Cubs just fired Mike Quade today. Tony LaRussa announced his retirement Monday. Terry Francona left Boston shortly after the Red Sox implosion at the end of September. Three big name ball clubs are now searching for replacements.<br />
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The Cubs and Theo Epstein announced their next manager would need to have prior coaching or managerial experience on the big-league level. Whether this will be the case when the new manager is ultimately hired remains to be seen. People say things all the time, then change their minds. However, limiting the search to people with Major League experience is the right move for Chicago. The emotional, fan-driven reaction would be to hire Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg is a fan favorite and is currently managing in Triple-A, but he is wrong for Chicago with Theo Epstein as the team President and Jed Hoyer as the GM. Theo Epstein knows what type of manager he wants. Jed Hoyer knows what type of manager can get the best out of the talent currently available. Theo worked with Terry Francona, and together they saw unparalleled success in Boston. Jed Hoyer watched Bud Black lead the Padres, with no real contributors outside Adrian Gonzalez, to 90 wins in 2010. He followed that up to a decent 2011 considering this team didn't even have Adrian Gonzalez. The Cubs don't need a rookie at the big-league level leading the club. They need someone with experience who can coexist with Epstein's and Hoyer's player-evaluation methods, out-of-the-box thinking, and potential meddling. Sandberg is not that person. <br />
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Sandberg may, however, be the person to take over St. Louis. Reports started popping up today that the Cardinals had asked the Phillies (the host club of the Minor League affiliate Sandberg manages) if they could interview Sandberg. Perhaps these reports were designed to drive Cubs' fans crazy after they heard Epstein all but shoot down the idea of Sandberg ever coming to Chicago. Perhaps they are legitimate. Either way, Sandberg is a better fit in St. Louis. The club is already built for success, even without Pujols. In fact, should Sandberg take of and Pujols sign elsewhere, Sandberg would have a built in safety net for expectations of the 2012 season. If they don't succeed, 'Hey, Sandberg is new and he didn't even have Pujols.' If they do succeed, 'Hey, this Sandberg guy can even win without Pujols.' Obviously the dynamic changes a bit if Pujols returns, but Sandberg would be a good fit in St. Louis regardless. <br />
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The Red Sox remain the mystery. All three of these clubs have been linked to the same available names and faces. Yet, the Red Sox have not even hinted what direction they may go. Filling Francona's shoes will be difficult. He won two World Series, made the play-offs five times, and was a well-liked manager in Boston. Whoever takes over will have his work cut out for him. The Red Sox are dealing with drama from all angles. They will have to rebuild from more than just a personnel standpoint. Clubhouse cohesiveness will need to be addressed. This may not be the most desirable job out there.<br />
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Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder may dominate the off-season headlines, but filling managerial openings with these three clubs could be bigger news. The Cubs are on a quest to overwrite history and win a World Series. The Cardinals are looking to turn the page. And the Red Sox are just trying to recover. One of the more interesting off-seasons in recent memory is ahead of us following one of the more interesting postseasons. <br />
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Baseball is good. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-13623009191490679792011-11-01T11:57:00.001-07:002011-11-01T12:22:36.233-07:00Evaluating Managers; Postseason WinsA few weeks ago I wrote about my desire to find an objective way to evaluate managers. There has to be a better way than simply looking at wins and losses. I have neither the skill nor resources to work with advanced algorithms necessary for some of the managerial computer models. These simulations help rate managers just fine, but are well outside my realm of comprehension. What I'd like to do is rate a manager objectively by assigning point totals for success in specific categories and docking points for failures in other categories. The first category we'll explore is postseason wins. <br />
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Tony LaRussa is, perhaps, the best manager of his generation, maybe one of the best all-time. But I'll let every other site you read shower him with praise and thank him for 30+ years of baseball service. In this article he will simply be used as a tool in our experiment for rating managers. LaRussa has had his fair share of postseason success, so he makes a perfect example. <br />
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Tony LaRussa won 68 postseason games out of 123 postseason games managed. That equates to a postseason winning percentage of .553. For the sake of our evaluation we need the numbers expressed as ratios in order to keep our final managerial rating as a ratio expression. Doesn't a manager rating of .597 sound so much better than a rating of 1,457? Those are arbitrary numbers obviously, but I think the ratio is easier on the eyes. <br />
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Unfortunately even this statistic is skewed over the short-term. A manager with only one trip to the post season may have a record of 0-3 or 1-3 or 2-3 if knocked out in the division series. Therefore, the other evaluation categories will become increasingly important, and one may have to discredit certain stats based on a limited sample size. <br />
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Going forward, we will look at other categories to use in our manager evaluation with the eventual end goal of being able to rate any manager out there. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-82199320161517117452011-10-30T10:46:00.001-07:002011-10-31T05:51:30.000-07:00Postseason Success: Luck or SkillThe St. Louis Cardinals have won two championships they had no business winning. Don't get me wrong, they played well and earned both championships once they were in the play-offs. The regular season is the focus here. The 2006 Cardinals won a terrible NL Central with only 83 wins. This year's team required a mammoth collapse by the Braves coupled with their own hot streak at the end of the season to get in. But the Cardinals are hardly the only team to win a World Series over teams who, on paper, appear to be much better. <br />
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In 2010, the Giants won 92 games, narrowly outpacing the San Diego Padres for the NL West crown. It took a Padres ten-game losing streak in August to help the Giants even make the play-offs. In 2008, the Phillies beat out four other teams with a better record, including a 97-win Rays. In 2003, the Marlins won just 91 games to clinch the Wild Card but managed to beat the 101-win Yankees for the World Series crown. Even the powerhouse Yankees won the World Series in 2000 after just 87 wins during the regular season. <br />
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You'll notice, these "upsets" all happened after the advent of the Wild Card. Yet, ever since the play-offs expanded to more than just the World Series, there have been teams winning over supposedly better teams. The 91-win Reds over the 103-win A's in 1990. The 85-win Twins over the 95-win Cardinals in 1987. The 90-win A's over the 102-win Dodgers in 1974. <br />
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Upsets are part of sports, but it seems in baseball more than any other sport, the best team on paper usually isn't the one being crowned when it's all said and done. And that makes baseball great. Like the NCAA basketball tournament, anyone can get hot at any point. More teams in the postseason doesn't make it worse. It makes it more interesting. <br />
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How much would we all care if the Yankees won their 28th Championship? There's no storyline there. No drama. No intrigue. No heroes and no villains. The shocking wins amplify the mystique that is Major League Baseball. <br />
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Congratulations Cardinals, and congratulations underdogs everywhere. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-72287283759351424482011-10-30T07:42:00.001-07:002011-10-30T08:29:16.910-07:00Thanks <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>2011 provided some of the best baseball I can remember. Sure my beloved Padres did not have a 90-win season like they did in 2010, nor did they come anywhere close to even sniffing a play-off berth. But the Diamondbacks did. They turned their team around and went from worst to first. The Brewers did, and won the division for the first time since the 80's. The Cardinals overcame a huge deficit in late August to clinch the Wild Card. The Braves collapsed. The Rays reached the postseason for the third time in four years...out of the American League East...with a payroll hovering around $40 million. The Phillies rode the arms of Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. Justin Verlander carried the Tigers to a division crown, locking up the AL Cy Young in the process (Barring some sort of travesty, of course). The Rangers and their boom sticks once again made the postseason, and once again they reached the World Series, and once again they fell short. The Yankees did what they do. And the Red Sox provided drama fit for daytime television. <br><br>2011 marked another pitcher heavy year. There were three no-hitters, and two of them were from unlikely sources. Ervin Santana tossed his no-hitter then promptly became the Angels 1A starter next to Jered Weaver. Francisco Liriano has always had great stuff, but after multiple injuries, there were questions about whether he could make it back. He answered those with his no-hitter this season. Then of course, there was Justin Verlander. Again, AL Cy Young. <br><br>2011 marked the first year in the last eleven that Albert Pujols failed to reached a .300 batting average and 100 RBI (he finished at .299 and 99 RBI). It also marked a year in which he had a remarkable recovery, further earning the nickname "The Machine." Pujols broke his right forearm and only missed two weeks. <br><br>The 2011 baseball season saw some notable employment changes. Jim Hendry in Chicago was finally let go after the Cubs futility became too much. The Cubs' former GM was credited with almost getting them to the World Series, but also with contracts like Alfonso Soriano's. Marlins manager, Edwin Rodriguez, quit in the middle of the season. After his team fell into a tailspin, he realized he was not the right man for the job. And, like a hero resurrected, Jack McKeon returned to the Florida dugout. Jim Riggleman, the manager of the Nationals, had Washington playing well, the he up and quit. Frustrated over his lame-duck status, Riggleman walked away from managing, maybe forever. Oakland replaced one Bob with another. Bob Geren was fired and Bob Melvin hired. Neither could do much to help that sinking franchise. Finally, Ozzie Guillen was let out of this contract with the White Sox and left the team with the last few games of the season remaining. He will take over the newly named Miami Marlins in 2012. <br><br>Baseball in 2011 saw two big trials against former Major Leaguers. Both related to steroids. Barry Bonds was eventually convicted of obstruction of justice after the prosecution could not prove him guilty of perjury. Roger Clemons never really had a trial. After presenting evidence they should not have, the prosectution in the Clemons trial forced a mistrial. Now, they must decide whether to, and how to, re-try Clemons. <br><br>This season also saw the deaths of 81 former players. Perhaps most notably were Mike Flannagan and Hideki Irabu's suicides, and Harmon Kilebrew's, Duke Snider's, and Dick Williams' passing. <br><br>The 2011 season saw so many things, both good and bad, including the launch of this site. About mid-way through the season, a little blog by some unknown writer popped up. The 5.5 Hole could have floundered and led me to give up. It could have attracted views from only family and close friends, which in and of itself probably would have been enough. But instead, the site attracted many more readers than I could have ever imagined in it's first few months of existence. From the random peaks in page views that I can never seem to explain no matter what amount of analytics I employ, to the constant flow of readers never letting my site go unread for even a day, the introduction of The 5.5 Hole was more successful than I could have predicted. Thank you to everyone who has read, browsed, or heck, even come to the site by mistake. By now you all know how much I love the game of baseball. I also love to write. Some people knit, some people garden, I write a blog. But it's been so much more than a hobby. This has been a passion. With each new article I write, I hope to get better, more interesting, and more informative. I hope you'll join me as the site grows and matures. <br><br>I will continue to write during the offseason and I will work on getting more exposure. My goal is to generate discussion. The comments section at the end of each post has been left largely untouched. Like a post-apocalyptic ghost town, the discussion area has been avoided. I will do what I can to increase the page views, provide interesting topics, and facilitate discussion. Because, really, nothing about baseball is one sided. <br><br>Thank you all again. I look forward to the future of The 5.5 Hole.<br><br>- Justin</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-65558702301731776162011-10-29T11:52:00.001-07:002011-10-29T14:06:03.862-07:00It's Freeseing in St. Louis <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>In an alternate universe, David Freese is an outcast. His dropped pop-up cost the Cardinals the World Series. But in the real world, he is a redemption story. His mistake was not a huge one. It wasn't on the same level as Buckner, but it was a mistake on the grandest of stages. It was a mistake Freese was able to overcome with an amazing offensive performance. <br><br>The kid from St. Louis seemed to come from nowhere in the NLCS. In fact, he was interviewed after winning the NLCS MVP and asked how it felt being the MVP on a team with players like Pujols, Holliday, and Berkman. Well, he can be asked that question again. Berkman had an impressive World Series, Pujols had a three home run night, and while ineffective Holliday is a threat every time he steps to the plate. But it was Freese who was crowned MVP of the World Series. <br><br>As you all know by now, Freese hit a game-tying triple in Game Six followed later by a game-winning home run. In Game Seven, with the Cardinals already in a 2-0 hole before they even game to bat, things were starting to look bleak. But Freese, again, knocked in the game-tying runs with two outs. From there, the Cardinals never looked back and Freese earned the hardware. <br><br>Pretty good for a guy with 98 career RBI in three seasons. Pretty good for a guy making $416,000 a year. He's quickly becoming one of the best young players in the league. In his first three seasons in the league, Freese has compiled a .298/.354/.429 triple slash. At 28, Freese has plenty of years ahead of him. And playing in his hometown, Freese may be able to provide Cardinals fans a decent replacement for their star if Pujols decides to leave for greener pastures. <br><br>David Freese became the sixth person to win the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP in the same postseason under it's current format. He almost single-handedly lead the Cardinals to their 11th World Championship. His heroics helped provide one of the greatest World Series games in history. And he will forever be remembered for it. (After Game Six, the Hall of Fame asked for his bat. Freese, claiming he was not superstitious, gave them the bat and used a new one for Game Seven. So, apparently the bat had very little to do with Freese's success)<br><br>Now, the calendar turns to November. Winter is peeking around the corner ready to turn ballfields across the country to frozen tundras. We have over 100 days before pitchers and catchers report. Sure there will be off-season story lines to follow, but even without those, this World Series will give us something to remember. We can hold on to Freese's monstrous World Series as the fuel to get us through baseball's hibernation period that is winter. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-13547191226903032552011-10-28T06:24:00.000-07:002011-10-28T06:24:25.605-07:00Welcome to the EndI can't imagine the fan bases in Texas and St. Louis slept a wink last night. It's now the morning after one of the greatest, if not the greatest, World Series games in history. It was sloppy, competitive, offensive heavy, dramatic, and beautiful. It was a game that saw the Cardinals trailing by two in the ninth, down to their final strike. It was a game that found the Cardinals again trailing by two in the tenth, again down to their final strike. In both cases, the Cardinals stood in there, continued to fight, and tied the game. Which of course led to the redemption of all redemption. David Freese's walk-off game six home run will be forever remembered with some of the most famous World Series home runs. Maybe more so because he also dropped a pop-up on the in-field earlier in the game. <br />
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No one knows for certain who will win Game Seven tonight, but one thing is certain; the season will come to an end tonight. Perhaps these two teams will continue to pitch and slug and field their way to the longest Game Seven in history. Maybe they will play through the night and finish Game Seven in the wee hours of Saturday morning. I wouldn't put any of this past these two teams. It's fitting that we have been given this great World Series after the last day of the season provided the greatest single day of baseball's regular season. It's also sad that it has to end.<br />
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This is not a season recap. This is just a reminder of how great baseball can be. I was reminded by someone that had last night's game been a football game, the trailing team never would have had a shot to come back. In football, the leading team would take a few knees and run out the clock. Baseball's lack of a game clock makes it great. No other sport allows for the momentum swings as quickly as baseball. After the Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, it would have been easy for the Rangers to get lost in momentum of the Cardinals. But they didn't. Josh Hamilton stepped to the plate and hit a two-run home run that would have been his crowning achievement and the moment that would make his story the perfect movie. Momentum swing, Rangers. Then, the Cardinals again came back and tied the game in the bottom of the tenth. <br />
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There will be more to write once the season ends tonight. One team will have a magical end to a season-long story straight from a fairytale. One team will come up shorts after making an improbable run. No matter the case, the World Series Champion this season will be a team no one really saw coming. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-51011348774783178442011-10-26T20:17:00.000-07:002011-10-26T20:17:05.122-07:00Pujols ContractLet me start with this disclaimer: I am an admitted Albert Pujols apologist. I love everything about the guy. His performance on the field, the way he carries himself, his philanthropic contributions. Everything. So, as you read this piece about Pujols' contract negotiations you can write it off. Or, you can love it and appreciate the logic. I believe you will do the second thing.<br />
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I'll start by reminding everyone that we live in a different world than those of athletes. If we pass judgement because we can't fathom the amount of money athletes make, we don't really have a leg to stand on in the argument. Yet, that doesn't seem to be the main issue many people have with Pujols and the contract negotiations. It would seem that most people are put off by Pujols' rejection of $200 million. But why?<br />
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Pujols signed his current contract after the 2003 season. He would make $13.875 a year million for the next eight years. Pujols was coming off a .329/.403/.610 season in 2001, a .314/.394/.561 season in 2002, and a .359/.439/.667 season in 2003. That's a pretty good start to a career, but no one could have known that Pujols would carry these types of number in every year of his career. $13.875 million a year seemed fair. But it quickly became clear that Pujols was the greatest player in the game. Yet, his salary was being outpaced by players like Ryan Howard, Mark Teixiera, and even Miguel Cabrera. Inferior players were making more than Pujols (inferior but still of All Star quality). Ryan Howard is making $25 million a year. Mark Teixeira is making $22.5 million a year. Miguel Cabrera is making $19 million a year. Pujols is better than all of them. <br />
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But Pujols played out his contract. He didn't demand a trade to a team willing to pay him more immediately. He didn't demand a new contract. He played it out. Now that it's time for him to renegotiate, he is getting flak for wanting to see what he's worth on the open market.<br />
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Last we heard, the Cardinals had reportedly offered something like eight years, $200 million. That equates to $25 million a year. Pujols was reportedly looking for ten years, $300 million. So he rejected $200 million. If any team is willing to pay him more, why shouldn't he take it? <br />
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Perspective check:<br />
You're working in an office making $40,000 a year. From everything you've heard, everyone acknowledges you as the best at what you do, including other companies. There are other employees, employees who are not as good as you, who make more. Say you find out a few of these employees within your own company and at other companies are making 44% more than you. That comes to roughly $57,000 and some change. Now you know other companies want you and are willing to pay you. Is there anything wrong with demanding say $67,000? You're better, companies want you. It would seem the market would place at least that value on you. Now, let's assume your own company offers you the $57,000 others are making who clearly are inferior in performance. Would anyone second guess your decision to test the market and see if you can in fact get the $67,000 elsewhere?<br />
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I know many of you may have stopped reading, shocked that I am using numbers with no baseball statistical relevance, but for those of you who continued on, you probably realized this is a simplified version of Pujols' situation using similar percentages scaled back to what we in middle-class America can understand. When you look at it in terms of numbers we are familiar with, it doesn't seem so bad. When you look at from a percentage standpoint, it doesn't look so bad. Ryan Howard is making 44% more than Pujols per year. Pujols is better. He should be paid more than Howard. Pujols has asked to be paid 16.67% more than Howard. Pretty reasonable considering his performance over the years.<br />
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So, nothing Pujols has asked seems out of line. If you have issue with it, you simply have issue with contracts in baseball that have set the precedent. You cannot blame Pujols for what other teams chose to pay players like Howard, Teixeira, and Cabrera. <br />
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Now that I have blown your mind with numbers, go forth and praise Pujols, start a telethon to help him raise the money he should be earning, and bow at his feet. Or continue to dislike him because he turned down $200 million. I've said my piece.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-86749021430524118042011-10-25T12:35:00.001-07:002011-10-25T12:35:19.941-07:00Wash(ing) Away the DoubtWhile the rest of the world is discussing telephones - for the first time since their invention I might add - and LaRussa's mistakes, I want to talk about Ron Washington's performance as a manager. I'm not going to delve into every shift, steal, bunt, or walk. I'll leave that for all those doing the same with LaRussa right now. I'd rather look at how Washington got to where he is and how his team plays under him. <br /><br />Washington makes some interesting moves, there's no question about that. Napoli eighth anyone? And a lot of them work out. Again, Napoli eighth anyone? But to credit simple changes to the lineup as the source of the Rangers success would be narrow-minded. The truth lies with the combination of player attitude, skill, coaching attitudes, and managerial decisions. <br /><br />You see it while he's dancing/running in place like a six year old on a sugar high. You see it with each and every player lining the top of the dugout steps. You see it in the heartfelt speeches and the playful slaps. You see it on the monstrous home runs and deadened bunts. The Rangers are a little different.<br /><br />Ron Washington has helped develop a loose, playful, energetic, and determined team. His combination of reliance on good 'ol fashion American League power and classic National League strategy can really only be compared to Mike Scioscia's Angels. But for his succes, Wash is a man who's also faced his fair share of struggles. <br /><br />A slip-up. A simple mistake. A one time mistake by Washington's account. That's all it took to threaten his job and his life. Washington knew nothing besides baseball. If a failed drug test, a positive result for cocaine he had used at a party, were to take his job, what would Washington do? Well, it didn't. He admitted the mistake, faced the music, was destroyed in the media, and supported by his team. That's who he is - a man who makes mistakes but does right by people. In turn, they do right by him. <br /><br />With his job still firmly in his grasp, Wash led the Rangers to the World Series in 2010 and again here in 2011. He has done so not by abiding by sabermetric formulas or statistics. He has done it his way. Through hunches, motivation, and support. He's the biggest cheerleader in the dugout, un-afraid to show emotion like most managers are. He'll tell you what you did wrong with some inspirational words and a pat on the rear end. He manages with passion. <br /><br />And he is often criticized still. But that doesn't matter. Ron Washington can continue to manage the way he wants. His success speaks for itself. <br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-13593145322222376042011-10-23T17:20:00.000-07:002011-10-23T17:20:54.399-07:00The Men Who Stare at G.O.A.T.(s)Why is it so hard for us to dub someone the greatest of all time? Is the characterization really based so much on opinion that a consensus cannot be reached? Perhaps. But I thunk it goes beyond that. People are afraid. They do not want to dust off a crown given to someone long ago, pass it on to the next great thing, only to have that crown yanked away and given to someone new. The debates about the greatest of all time are so historically based, not many are willing to pluck a modern player from the pool and throw them into the discussion. Instead, people will use phrases like "one of the greatest," or "the greatest of his time," or "in the discussion as one of the best."<br />
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These debates are not limited to sports. The same restrictions apply when talking about the greatest politicians, greatest writers, greatest actors, and greatest artists. Modern men and women are often compared to the old timers, but rarely vaulted to the top. DeNiro is this generation's Brando, or Mitch Albom is good, but he's no Hemmingway. Albert Pujols is one of the modern masterpieces for which most are afraid to push to the top. <br />
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The problem with naming someone the greatest of all time lies in two parts. One, how does one classify the greatest, empirically or all-encompassing. And two, how does one overcome the lore created by those who no longer play (and in many cases, no longer walk this earth)? The first problem can be overcome. The second usually cannot. <br />
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Albert Pujols is generally considered the greatest player in the game today, but change that discussion from a current focus to a historical one, and very few will jump at naming Pujols the greatest. I will not shy away from it though. There is no question in my mind that, like Michael Jordan and basketball, Albert Pujols is the greatest to ever play baseball. <br />
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His statistics speak for themselves. He is a fearless hitter, both determined and driven. Barring extensive stints on the disabled list, Pujols will break countless records. He is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. He makes those who doubt him look foolish. But what sets him apart from the classics? Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle. The list can go on. But isn't that the point? If you can talk about each of those players in the same breath, what sets them apart from each other? Pujols has had in-arguably the greatest eleven years to start a career ever. And at 31, he has a good six to seven years of dominance ahead of him. Even beyond that, he could still be a contributor. No one knows for sure how long Pujols will play, but would anyone doubt he could do it into his forties?<br />
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If Pujols performs at even 75% of his career average, and does so for the next six years, he will amass 647 home runs, 1,899 RBI, and 2,961 hits. But who really thinks he will only go six more years? Who really thinks he can only perform at 75% of his career numbers? But the statistics are only part of the equation. <br />
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No one else has played the game like him. He approaches the game knowing -- not thinking, not hoping -- but knowing he is the best. Albert Pujols dominates like no one we have ever seen or read about. Because honestly, isn't that the problem? We have only read about many of the greats. Pujols in person must be compared to Ruth on paper or film. He must be compared to stories of Williams and Mays. The man must stand up to the legends. And for his entire career he has. So, at risk of breaking unwritten rules, at the risk of crossing hidden lines, I can admit that Pujols is the greatest of all time. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-83615899492185810542011-10-22T13:58:00.000-07:002011-10-22T13:58:58.446-07:00The RippleHas there ever been a time when one man's decision had such a large effect on those around him? Aside from politics, and keeping our conversation focused on baseball, I don't think so. When Theo Epstein's hiring as the Chicago Cubs President is announced on Tuesday, it will create a ripple effect through baseball unlike any ever seen before. <br />
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Long before Epstein made it known that he was planning on leaving Boston, the rumors were there. As his club collapsed in September, the rumors turned into suggestions from some, demands from others. Those who felt bad for Epstein going through the losing streak thought it best if he cut ties. Those rooting for the Sox, the ones most rabid after the collapse, demanded Epstein leave town. He had used up all his talents and charm. Yet, no matter what anyone suggested or demanded, the Red Sox did not want Epstein to leave. Outwardly, after it became clear that he would not be returning, unnamed Red Sox employees began to change their tune on Epstein's tenure in Boston. He had over-spent, not developed players well, and missed on many occassions. While much of this may be true, he also won two World Series in a town that had fell under a Championship drought unlike any baseball had seen (except in Chicago). <br />
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As yesterday's teaser of a press release came out, all the rumors of who would be coming with Epstein, of who would replace him, of moves to fill the voids began to fall into reality. And these moves will shake the landscape of the entire League like a nationwide earthquake. For better or worse, the names and faces we knew, and those we didn't, will be shuffled up and sprayed all over the fields and offices of baseball like a game of 52 pick-up. Below is a glimpse of just a few of the known (or rumored) changes we will see. <br />
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<b>Theo Epstein:</b><br />
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The wunderkind, boy-prodigy, and savior of Boston is gone. He takes over the Chicago Cubs in a position with more control, more power, and more questions. He will be announced as the Cubs' President Tuesday, starting a new era in Chicago. He will also be tasked with building a front office capable of evaluating players, employees, ticket sales, and promotions. And that starts at the GM position, leading us to Jed Hoyer.<br />
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<b>Jed Hoyer:</b><br />
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The former Epstein assistant, and friend, will be announced officially on Tuesday as the new General Manager of the Cubs. The clubs released joint statements yesterday confirming as much. Hoyer's tenure with San Diego was much too short for an real reflection on his talent. It is clear that he has a determination and drive for success. He clearly understood what it meant to be the GM of a small-market club. He made moves that would easily be classified under the buy low-sell high category. Unfortunately, many of those moves failed to pan out. Given slightly more resources, more time, and the expert tutelage of Theo Epstein, Hoyer may develop into one of the game's best GM's. But he, like Epstein, will be leaving a hole at his former position. <br />
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<b>Josh Byrnes:</b><br />
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Byrnes was hired by Jeff Moorad as GM when both were in Arizona. Moorad later began the long process of buying the San Diego Padres in installment payments. He left Byrnes to fend for himself in Arizona and hired Jed Hoyer because, well, he needed a GM. <b> </b>Byrnes had some success in Arizona, but he also had some pretty famous failures. He help the Diamondbacks to a 2007 National League Championship appearance. Unfortunately, he only guided the club to one more winning season during his tenure, an 82-80 season in 2008. He was fired in the middle of the 2010 season and replaced by former Padres GM Kevin Towers. Byrnes is considered by most to be a very intelligent executive. He seems to know what it takes to put together a winning ballclub on paper. In practice though, he swung and missed on as many moves and he connected with. I will not throw the Dan Harren trade in the swing and miss category. Look at what he did for the Angels this season. I will, however, point out the Eric Byrnes contract. Yes, that Eric Byrnes who doesn't even play professional baseball anymore. Perhaps, Josh Byrnes was left in a situation beyond his control. Perhaps, a promotion to GM under Jeff Moorad in San Diego will be beneficial. But time will only tell. As the Padres Executive Vice President, there has not been enough to show whether he will succeed as the Padres GM. <br />
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<b>Ben Cherrington:</b><br />
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When Theo Epstein attempted to leave Boston in 2005, Ben Cherrington and Jed Hoyer were tasked with sharing the General Manager duties. They would be co-GM's. As we all know, Epstein chose to return to Boston, won another World Series with the club, and left Cherrington waiting for his chance. That chance appears to be imminent. I have not heard anyone quote a source who said the Red Sox would go in any other direction than Cherrington as their next GM. Cherrington has been with Boston for 14 years now, knows the system well, and has been assisting Theo Epstein every step of the way. He is the natural choice for the position. Cherrrington shares in many of Epstein's beliefs in player development, data analysis, and how to develop wins in general. No one truly knows what his relationship with Larry Luchino, the Red Sox President and CEO, is and how it will further take shape as Cherrington takes the helm as GM. However, Cherrington has had years to adapt and work alongside Luchino. Ben Cherrington's first order of business? Salvaging a sinking Boston ship that has seen more than its fair share of drama since September 1st. <br />
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<b>Mike Quade:</b><br />
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While nothing official has been announced, or even discussed for all I know, it is widely thought that Epstein's first order of business once the front office is in place will be to find a new manager. Many will say Quade never had a chance. He was handed a group of players that no manager could win with. But that's not the issue. Quade didn't have to win with them. He had to perform and not make Cubs fans embarrassed for rooting for these players. He had to take differing personalities and help them mesh in the clubhouse and on the field. A few Carlos Zambrano blow-ups, some dugout fights, a short-live retirement, and a disqualification later it has become clear that Quade is not the guy to make things come together in Chicago. <br />
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<b>A.J. Hinch:</b><br />
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The front office executive-turned Major League manager-turned lower level executive is due for a promotion if Josh Byrnes take over General Manager duties. Hinch started with the Diamondbacks in the front office as the Director of Player Development. In May of 2009 he was promoted from the front office to the clubhouse when he took over skipper duties. There were questions from the start. Hinch lacked any real coaching experience. He was a former player, but never any type of on-field coach. Those questions proved to be based on real concerns as Hinch suffered through two losing seasons before being dumped along with Josh Byrnes. The Padres and Jeff Moorad quickly scooped him up and made him the Vice President of Player Development. When Hoyer leaves, he is expected to take his assistant GM, Jason Mcleod with him. This will open an assistant GM position that will likely be filled by Hinch.<br />
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<b>Jason McLeod: </b><br />
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The current assistant General Manager of the Padres is expected to continue his same duties under Jed Hoyer in Chicago. The Cubs and the Padres have already reached a compensation and "pilfering" agreement in which the Cubs agree to leave the rest of the Padres front office alone. McLeod is most notable for his scouting ability. While under Epstein and Hoyer in Boston he found Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz, <b> </b>Jed Lowrie, and Jacoby Ellsbury. While it's still too early to tell how his drafts in San Diego will pan out, many consider the Padres farm system to be one of the best. McLeod will be missed in San Diego, but his replacement, A.J. Hinch, has a knack for developing talent. <br />
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<b>John Lackey:</b><br />
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So far, Lackey's potential move to San Diego is only rumored. It seemed certain prior to talks with the Cubs and Red Sox fell apart regarding Epstein and compensation. If the Red Sox do eat the majority of Lackey's contract and ship him off to San Diego, Lackey will just be another domino to fall. Lackey is much maligned in Boston right now. He may benefit from a reunion with Bud Black, the former Angels pitching coach while Lackey pitched in Los Angeles. A pitcher-friendly ballpark would help him return to form much like it has for Aaron Harang and Jon Garland. <br />
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<b>The Rest:</b><br />
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Andrew Friedman of Tampa Bay will, by all accounts, remain with Tampa now that the Cubs have just about figured out their entire front office. Friedman was considered by some and even better choice than Epstein for GM. However, it appears the Rays will get to keep the man who has led them to the postseason three of the last four years with a payroll that ranked in the bottom fourth of all of baseball. <b> </b><b></b><br />
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The Yankees will hold on to Brian Cashman who was rumored for the Cubs job as well. The club and Cashman still seem to have a good relationship, so his remaining time in New York should not be overshadowed by his connection to the Cubs' GM search. <br />
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The lower-level executives of both the Padres front office and the Red Sox front office will still need to be worked out. For example, A.J. Hinch will need to be replaced. Ben Cherrington and other will need to be replaced in Boston.<br />
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The amount of job openings and employee moves generated by one man's decision are astounding. The pressure on Epstein to win in Chicago will be huge, while the pressure on Cherrington in Boston might actually lighten. Byrnes will feel little pressure to start in San Diego. Overall, the moves do not seem bad for baseball. The talent was not funneled into one team, but spread out across the League and across the nation. Epstein's move will forever be remembers as one of, if not the biggest, ripple-effect move in baseball history.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-50426778535485254482011-10-20T20:10:00.001-07:002011-10-20T20:10:46.163-07:00My Son's Role ModelIn 8-10 years my son will be developing normal boyhood crushes on star athletes. If my evil plan works and my son is as huge a baseball fan as I am, his crushes will be on baseball players. I find myself wondering what these athletes will mean to my son. What will they represent? What will they teach?<br /><br />In 8-10 years, John Lackey, Jon Lester, and Josh Beckett will be out of the game, retired, and free to eat as much chicken and drink as much beer as they'd like. But they will be replaced. They'll be replaced by others who stand defiantly by the philosophy that athletes are not role models. These new athletes will further the concept that baseball and life are separate. Two things that should never be intermingled. These players, like those of today, will continue to be wrong. <br /><br />What many, not all, but many, players forget is that they're not entitled because they can swing the bat or throw a ball. They forget that they're always representing the club. They're always representing the league. And they're always playing for the fans, no one else. In a public job, employees are always the face of their employer. In private jobs, this often rings true too. Anything a player does that the fans see represents not just that player but the league. <br /><br />I know I sound like a cynical, disenfranchised fan. But the truth is far from that. I will continue to watch the games. I will continue to enjoy the sport. I simply will not respect the players who walk all over that respect. Unfortunately, my son will not have that type of restraint or have the decision-making skills to choose who he roots for and idolizes. Not at 8. Not at 10. <br /><br />So, in the future, when my son is old enough to become a fanatic, I can only hope the players he loves are worthy of that love. I don't expect all players to be saints. I don't have a problem with forgiving players who earn that forgiveness (and not just by their performances on the field). What I hope for is just a collective rejection of behavior that shatters the faith and respect we all have in these players. <br /><br />My son's role models will be others than just myself (no matter how much I'd like that to be true). It will be my job to weed out those role models not worthy of his admiration. <br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-31168040202825741972011-10-19T10:36:00.004-07:002011-10-19T10:44:58.208-07:00The Wrong FixThe popularity of baseball is constantly questioned, by myself included. I wrote a three part analysis about baseball's popularity earlier this year. I even jumped on a certain bandwagon during that analysis, but have since decided to think for myself and have backed off that opinion. What opinion, you ask? That baseball needs to shorten its season. <br />
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Gene Wojceichowski of ESPN wrote an article about how to "fix" the World Series. What he failed to realize, or acknowledge, is that he was writing about baseball as a whole, not just the World Series. Wojceichowski makes some genuinely good suggestions in his piece (i.e. Expanding instant replay and having larger pre-game ceremonies), but he also falls into the same trap that many writers do when discussing fixes for the game. He suggests shortening the regular season, perhaps back to the 154 games played for four decades early on, and he suggests shortening the LCS and World Series to five-game series'. <br />
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Let me first start by asking a simple question: Are fewer people watching the baseball, and the World Series, because it ends on October 27th instead of October 15th? Of course not. If we end the season and postseason by October 15th, will baseball gain back the 20-plus million television viewers it lost since its peak in the 1970's. Clearly, the length of the season is not the problem. People also do not just suddenly get bored because a play-off series is now seven games instead of five. Check the division series ratings (a five-game series) verse the World Series ratings (a seven-game series). <br />
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Wojceichowski goes on to suggest limiting postseason rosters to 10 pitchers in an effort to speed up the game, and to flip-flop the DH rules and have the National League use it at home and the American League use a pitcher when they're at home. While I agree baseball has gotten too long, reducing the play-off pitching roster does not change anything and won't increase the game's popularity. People like Tony LaRussa will just use every bullpen pitcher he has instead of saving some for the next game. And the DH idea is a gimmick you'd expect to see in Minor League Baseball, not the MLB. Neither of these two ideas will change television ratings with baseball. <br />
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Many, Bud Selig included, will argue that baseball is at the height of popularity now. But those of us with a realistic view of the sport's popularity (and I would include Wojceichowski in this group), understand that baseball peaked in the late 70's, was strong in the 80's, started to fall off in the 90's, and has now become the sport of choice only for die-hard baseball fans. The problem is not based in the format of the game, the play-off system, or the length of the season. The problem is with promotion. <br />
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Has football always been as insanely popular as it is now? Absolutely not. The game itself has remained essentially the same for the past 40 years, as has baseball. Yet, football has steadily increased in popularity, taking market share from baseball. Why? Because of promotion. The NFL promotes itself better than any sports league ever has. They jumped on the Internet well before baseball, they used celebrities to market the sport long before baseball, and they have shown fans why football is fun much better than baseball has done with their fans. <br />
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Sports are a business. They have mission statements, balance sheets, investors, revenue, and profits. They have employees, customers, and stakeholders. Yet, not every league is managed as such. The NFL has business men and women running the show while baseball has loyalists, purists, and lame ducks running their league. So don't blame the game itself for popularity problems. Blame how the sport is run. Blame the people who are charged with making it a popular sport. Blame Major League Baseball - the business.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-39394555176071879882011-10-17T20:38:00.000-07:002011-10-17T20:38:32.010-07:00Rangers/Cardinals: A Pitcher's DuelOne team is owned by the only man to have tossed seven no-hitters. The only man to have struck out more than 5,000 batters. The only man to have beat the heck out of Robin Ventura. OK, that last one has little to do with baseball, but still proves Nolan Ryan's toughness. The Rangers were built to pitch. "New" philosophies were introduced by Ryan and his management team. Pitchers would go longer in games. There would be less focus on pitch counts and more focus on results. They were going to win the way the Giants beat them in 2010; with pitching. <br />
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The other team started the year with two legitimate Cy Young candidates in Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. They had a potent offense, sure, but they also boasted a pitching coach who churned out four Cy Young award winners (LaMarr Hoyt, Bob Welch, Dennis Eckersley, and Chris Carpenter). They were managed by a man who focuses so much on pitching, he's been known to change pitchers in the middle of an at-bat. They were going to breeze through this season and the play-offs on the strengths of their arms. <br />
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Then they had to play the games. Adam Wainwright blew out his arm. The Rangers were unable to re-sign Cliff Lee. And both teams finished the year outside the top-ten in ERA, and strikeouts. Neither team was horrible at pitching, but neither team was great. Yet, their offenses clicked at the right time. The Cardinals overcame an eight-game deficit in September to take the Wild Card while the Rangers fought off the Angels and their perennially competitive ways. <br />
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Two teams who were seemingly built on pitching, succeeded and plowed through the postseason on everything but. The Rangers put together a disappointing 4.40 ERA during the postseason so far. The Cardinals did not fair much better. They posted a 4.27 ERA. Their offenses fared a bit better. The Rangers scored a total of 55 runs. The Cardinals scored 62. <br />
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The second year into what many have dubbed "The Pitchers' Era" has provided a postseason with very little pitching dominance. The World Series will likely be much of the same. The Rangers, and Nelson Cruz specifically, are so locked in, their offense doesn't seem like it's going to let up. The Cardinals, with the barber-shop quartet of Pujols, Berkman, Holliday, and Freese, should light up the scoreboards with regularity. So, keep plenty of pencils on hand if you plan to keep score. Your scorecard will be marked up more than a high school geometry test.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986374908463271464.post-49557772030154210042011-10-13T00:02:00.001-07:002011-10-13T00:02:10.281-07:00Closers in Non-Save SituationsJose Valverde's season is hanging on by a thread. The Tigers season is hanging on by a thread. This all because of an 11th inning meltdown in which Valverde allowed a 4-spot to the Texas Rangers. Many casual fans argue that a closer shouldn't be brought in to the game in a non-save situation, while many writers and analysts argue that theory is completely bogus. What's the truth? <br /><br />This is a debate based as much in opinion as in fact. Let's start from the opinion side of things and see if we can get an idea as to which side this debate may be leaning. Fans argue that the closer role (i.e. coming into the ninth inning with a slim lead and slamming the door) is a pressure cooker type role that can't be duplicated in any other in-game scenario. Thus, as the theory goes, when a closer is thrust into a non-save situation the mentality of said closer is different. This is likely not a conscious choice by the closer to go in with a different mindset, but the theory argues it happens nonetheless. If you flat out disagree with this theory, I caution you. It may hold more weight than many give it credit. <br /><br />Take, for example, two separate projects at work. One has a tight deadline with a lot riding on it. The other is not nearly as important, has a longer deadline, but still needs to get done. When working on the stressful, tight deadline project, your focus and mentality will probably be much different than when working on the project with a lengthier timeline. Now imagine your only job is a continuous slew of important projects with tight deadlines and lots of stress, but you have just been asked to work on the other type of project. Think there'd be a change in your approach whether you mean there to be or not?<br /><br />Writers and baseball analysts assume that a pitcher is a pitcher. If they make their pitches, the scenario shouldn't matter. That's sound logic too. Forget the inning. Forget the score. Any pitcher, at any time can succeed as long as he makes the right pitches. Yet, is it really that simple? The mental aspect to playing baseball is fascinating and often overlooked. <br /><br />Let's take Jose Valverde for example. As of August 18, 2011, Jose Valverde's stats in save situations looked like this:<br /><br />35/35 in saves, 0.51 ERA, 0.971 WHIP. <br /><br />In non-save situations?<br /><br />21 games, 2-4 record, 17 runs, 6.88 ERA, 1.80 WHIP. <br /><br />Pretty remarkable difference, right? Yet, these numbers are so often brushed aside it's startling. The argument many will make is, who would you rather have, your closer or someone else? Well, let's look at some other closers around the league. These are all career numbers as published by The Closer News. <br /><br />Heath Bell: <br />Save situation - 2.13 ERA/1.05 WHIP<br />Non-save situation - 3.60 ERA/1.53 WHIP<br /><br />Brian Wilson:<br />Save situation - 2.63 ERA/1.43 WHIP<br />Non-save situation - 4.50 ERA/1.60 WHIP<br /><br />Jonathan Papelbon:<br />Save situation - 2.08 ERA/0.86 WHIP<br />Non-save situation - 4.03 ERA/1.03 WHIP<br /><br />J.J. Putz:<br />Save situation - 2.08 ERA/0.98 WHIP<br />Non-save situation - 4.91 ERA/1.00 WHIP<br /><br />These are just a few closers around the league, but the change in performance is drastic. I understand that there are sure to be closers who perform the same in save situations and non-save situations as there are also probably closers who perform better in save situations, but when you have so many closers who clearly struggle in non-save situations, it's time to stop brushing off the possibility that closers should not be brought in in non-save situations. <br /><br />After all is said and done here, I give the edge to fan theory. Writers and analysts can be as condescending as they'd like when shooting down these theories, but fact supports at least a closer look. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07412624273835348706noreply@blogger.com0