tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55259882011-04-21T21:11:30.256-07:00Rich's Weekend Baseball BEATBEAT = Baseball Editorials, Analysis, and Talk.
A baseball blog for fanatics, sabermetricians, and students of the game's history. Specializing in statistical analysis, player evaluations, comparisons, and rankings. Published on weekends to fill the void created by most daily blogs, which generally run Monday - Friday.
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comBlogger611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1077081336824574782004-02-17T21:15:00.000-08:002004-02-18T10:27:12.936-08:00The BEAT Goes On
I'm pleased to announce that Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT has become an official member of the All-Baseball.com network.
The new URL address for Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT is:
http://www.all-baseball.com/richbeat
The new RSS feed is as follows:
http://www.all-baseball.com/richbeat/index.xml
Eight months ago when I started Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT, I could not have Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1076790114628816812004-02-14T12:21:00.000-08:002004-02-14T15:52:06.873-08:00Dream Weaver
I've just closed my eyes again
Climbed aboard the dream weaver train
Driver take away my worries of today
And leave tomorrow behind
(chorus)
Ooh dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Ooh dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light
Fly me high through the starry skies
Maybe to an astral plane
Cross the highways of fantasy
Help me to forget todays pain
-Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1076135761923677332004-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:002004-02-08T21:50:50.530-08:00Weapons of Mass Production
Sabermetricians are guilty of developing too many Weapons of Mass Destruction. Too many stats. Too much confusion. It's time to get back to the basics. If we reduce the number of weapons (stats), then it follows we can reduce the amount of destruction (confusion).
Substitute Production for Destruction, and you've got Weapons of Mass Production. Production, in Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1075358001702824682004-01-31T16:55:00.000-08:002004-02-07T22:53:07.340-08:00Sheff's Special
Power-Hitting OF Ranks Among the Game's Elite
My eight-year-old nephew opened up a pack of baseball cards on Christmas Eve. My brothers and I gathered around him as he shuffled through the cards. When he came to Gary Sheffield, I said, "Future Hall of Famer". I proceeded to grab the card so I could inspect it further. One of my brothers looked at me in disbelief as if I were Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1075006663457460222004-01-25T01:00:00.000-08:002004-01-25T16:54:32.296-08:00The Grooviest Lefty of All Time
"I'll tell you about fastball pitchers. One day we were playing the Athletics in Yankee Stadium. We were behind by one run in the last of the ninth. We loaded the bases with nobody out. Connie Mack signaled his pitcher off the mound and we all looked toward the bullpen to see who was coming in. But nobody was coming in from the bullpen. Grove walked out of Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1074358603371213142004-01-17T14:46:00.000-08:002004-01-18T21:25:22.873-08:00The Bert Alert
The results of Neal Traven's 2004 Internet Hall of Fame (IHOF) vote were released about the same time as those from the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Traven, who is the co-chair of the Statistical Analysis Committee of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), has been conducting a HOF vote online since 1991.
As shown below, the IHOF and the BBWAA Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1073890925494690892004-01-14T12:32:00.000-08:002004-01-18T21:33:11.200-08:00Sandy Koufax and the 1965 World Series
ESPN Sports Classic replayed the Seventh Game of the 1965 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Minnesota Twins last Saturday. Watching the videotape of this game was an enjoyable way to spend a weekend morning in January.
Let me set the stage. The Dodgers had won 13 consecutive games in the second half of September, including seven Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1073712687730109212004-01-10T05:30:00.000-08:002004-01-31T08:06:22.466-08:00Not Your Average Joe
BP's Sheehan Talks Baseball, Prospectus, and More Baseball
Joe Sheehan is a co-founder and author of Baseball Prospectus. Joe writes his Prospectus Today column, which is available to BP Premium subscribers, from the standpoint of the informed outsider. His analysis and opinions are highly entertaining and insightful.
Joe was born and raised in New York City. He Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1073027363032021942004-01-02T11:03:00.000-08:002004-01-17T07:44:19.076-08:00One Small Step For Blyleven...
...one giant leap for blogkind.
With the help of Seth Strohs of Seth Speaks, I sent emails with links to my article on "Only The Lonely, The Hall of Fame Trials and Tribulations of Bert Blyleven" to two voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Both writers--Bill Conlin and Jeff Peek--wrote back to me in a very timely manner. However, their Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1072370491070735122003-12-26T01:15:00.000-08:002004-01-17T08:21:40.450-08:00Only The Lonely
The Hall of Fame Trials and Tribulations of Bert Blyleven
Dum-dum-dum-dum-dee-du-wah
Ooh-yeah-yeah-yeah-yah
Oh-woh-woh-woh-o oh-wa-wah
Only the lonely, only the lonely
Roy Orbison and Joe Melson
In my most recent article, I pointed out that catchers and third basemen are underrepresented in the Hall of Fame. I specifically mentioned Ted Simmons, Wally Schang, and Joe Torre Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1072217101641670112003-12-23T14:05:00.000-08:002003-12-31T18:31:24.966-08:00Can't Wait 'Til Next Year to Comment on This One
Not only do I like to research and write articles about baseball, but I also enjoy reading a number of other baseball blogs on a regular basis. One of the bloggers that has differentiated himself from the masses is Bryan Smith, the proprietor of Wait 'Til Next Year, a site focused on the future of baseball, today.
In Bryan's most recent post, heRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1071970443089727932003-12-21T03:47:00.000-08:002004-01-18T08:15:35.436-08:00Mantle's Stats and Rankings Unplugged
I received several e-mails about the Mickey Mantle article, questioning his place in history. As a result, I decided to take a look at Mantle's career from different vantage points other than Win Shares and Runs Created Above Average and Above Position on a year-by-year basis.
Only eight players in the history of baseball rank higher than Mantle in all Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1071849729833527412003-12-19T08:02:00.000-08:002004-01-17T07:43:26.170-08:00A Gleeful Interview With The New Aaron of Baseball
Up until the summer of 2002, if a baseball fan mentioned "Aaron", you knew they were referring to baseball's all-time home run king. Well, things have changed over the past 16 months. Online baseball fans now know that the name "Aaron" is none other than Aaron Gleeman, the proprietor of Aaron's Baseball Blog. Aaron's blog is arguably the mostRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1071345588030045012003-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:002003-12-16T07:49:18.043-08:00Items on Mickey's Mantel Draw Millions of Dollars
"I measure it by Cadillacs. I used to pay $5,000 for mine. They pay $20,000 now. So if they make three times as much as I did, what's the difference?"
--Mickey Mantle, 1979
Guernsey's conducted an auction of Mickey Mantle memorabilia at Madison Square Garden last Monday that raised $3.25 million. The items were affixed with a "Mickey MantleRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1071040397741824972003-12-10T23:13:00.000-08:002003-12-15T08:36:23.466-08:00The Handiest Reference Book of 'Em All
As promised last Sunday, I am posting a mid-week special regarding the 2004 edition of The Bill James Handbook. The Handbook is unlike The Bill James Abstracts from 1977-1988, the Bill James Baseball Books from 1990-1992, and The Bill James Player Ratings Books from 1993-1995. The major difference between this book and the others is the amount of Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1070835415321960572003-12-07T14:16:00.000-08:002003-12-15T08:37:09.700-08:00Ranting and Raving About Baseball With Mike Carminati (Part Two)
I divided my interview with Mike Carminati of Mike's Baseball Rants into two sections. Part One covered Mike's opinions on topics ranging from his beloved Phillies to sabermetrics to his favorite players and baseball heroes. Part Two is exclusively devoted to Mike's views on the merits of certain Hall of Fame candidates.
RWBB: Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1070683980212445382003-12-06T08:45:00.000-08:002003-12-15T08:37:58.373-08:00Ranting and Raving About Baseball With Mike Carminati (Part One)
Mike Carminati is one of the "old timers" when it comes to baseball blogging. He started Mike's Baseball Rants in July 2002, and it has become one of the most widely read in the blogosphere. Mike recently switched from Blogger to Christian Ruzich's All-Baseball.com, a loose affiliation of several baseball blogs (including Ruz's Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1070242875762326182003-11-30T17:41:00.000-08:002003-12-15T08:38:42.966-08:00Bye Bye to a Bygone Era
The days of watching Ted Williams in left are over. And the wondrous Willie Mays no longer wears his uniform. Time marches on. Transition is inevitable. With each passing day, the game of our youth moves further into history. But those vivid images that are so much a part of our life will always remain.
--"When It Was a Game"
Warren Edward Spahn passed away last Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1069948460801914242003-11-28T00:38:00.000-08:002003-12-15T08:39:51.466-08:00Tossing BP With Will Carroll
Will Carroll has catapulted himself into the big leagues of off-the-field baseball personalities during the past year. The multi-talented Carroll is an author with Baseball Prospectus, a host of Baseball Prospectus Radio, and the proprietor of the Will Carroll Weblog. His Under The Knife column, which is available to BP Premium subscribers, appears at least four Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1069470356974505902003-11-22T01:35:00.000-08:002003-11-23T16:20:48.936-08:00Baseball Questions, Answers, and Musings With David Pinto
David Pinto has been writing Baseball Musings, one of the most widely read baseball blogs, since March 2002. David was the lead researcher for ESPN's Baseball Tonight for ten years, and he also hosted Baseball Tonight Online on ESPN.com. He is currently on the professional staff at the Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval at theRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1069262071791399712003-11-19T09:14:00.000-08:002003-11-19T11:12:32.890-08:00The Worst MVP Seasons Ever
The American League and National League Most Valuable Player Awards were announced on Monday and Tuesday. I wholeheartedly endorse the selections. In early October, I picked Alex Rodriguez as the MVP in the A.L. and Barry Bonds as the MVP in the N.L. Both players maintained their reputations as the best player in their respective league although A-Rod's MVP was onlyRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1068927237276249382003-11-15T17:26:00.000-08:002003-11-15T22:12:22.686-08:00Bantering Throughout The Bronx With Alex Belth
In just over one year, Alex Belth has become one of the giants of the baseball blogging world. His Bronx Banter is a must read for thousands of Yankee loyalists and baseball fans alike. In fact, it is one of several blogs that I make a habit of checking every day.
Alex has earned a well-deserved reputation for conducting great interviews with Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1068535562486151432003-11-10T23:26:00.000-08:002003-11-11T05:38:22.130-08:00Whatcha talkin' 'bout, Willis?
Now the world don't move to the beat of just one drum
What might be right for you, may not be right for some
A man is born, he's a man of means
Then along come two, they got nothin' but their jeans
But they got Diff'rent Strokes
It takes Diff'rent Strokes
It takes Diff'rent Strokes to move the world
--Lyrics by Alan Thicke, Gloria Loring, and Al Burton
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1068318589352347382003-11-08T11:09:00.000-08:002003-11-08T12:57:49.486-08:00Around The Majors With Lee Sinins
Lee Sinins is best known as the creator of the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia, a product that I use extensively when researching, analyzing, and writing articles for Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT. The Encyclopedia is available via CD and can be ordered by visiting Lee's website at http://www.baseball-encyclopedia.com. Lee also produces daily Around The Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1067142786596184192003-10-26T19:25:00.000-08:002003-10-27T06:39:15.096-08:00Hello Goodbye
You say goodbye and I say hello
Hello, hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello
--John Lennon & Paul McCartney
The 2003 World Series will not only be remembered for the improbable victory by the Florida Marlins over the New York Yankees in six games but also the arrival of baseball's newest star, Josh Beckett, and the departure of its oldest star, Roger Clemens.Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1066451029517355982003-10-17T21:23:00.000-07:002003-10-20T10:26:17.293-07:00...And Then There Were Two
2003 World Series Preview
Florida Marlins vs. New York Yankees
The fourth and final leg of the season...Youth and speed vs. experience and power...The hottest team vs. the team with the most wins during the regular season and postseason combined...Home field advantage goes to the Yankees, thanks to Hank Blalock's game-winning home run in the All-Star game...The Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1066283226615551192003-10-15T22:47:00.000-07:002003-10-17T21:24:57.340-07:00The Rocket vs. Pedro: The Sequel
Does it get any better than the game three matchup? Well, I guess it does! How 'bout The Rocket vs. Pedro, game seven?
Roger Clemens vs. Pedro Martinez. The New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox. American League Championship Series. Game seven. Winner goes to the World Series. Yankee Stadium. The Bronx Zoo. The House that Ruth Built. The Curse of Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1065890750667907132003-10-11T09:45:00.000-07:002003-12-25T06:02:14.796-08:00The Rocket vs. Pedro
Does It Get Any Better Than This?
American League Championship Series. New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox. Game Three. Series Tied 1-1. Roger Clemens vs. Pedro Martinez. Red Sox aces past and present. Nine Cy Young Awards. Clemens scheduled to pitch at Fenway Park for the last time. Tickets going for more than $1,000 on eBay. A surefire ESPN Sports Classic.
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1065287464079212392003-10-04T10:11:00.000-07:002003-10-05T13:32:10.130-07:00Make Room For MVP #6 In The Bonds Portfolio
My National League MVP top ten list (excluding pitchers) is as follows:
Rank Player Team Pos
1 Barry Bonds SF LF
2 Albert Pujols STL LF
3 Gary Sheffield ATL RF
4 Javy Lopez ATL C
5 Todd Helton COL 1B
6 Marcus Giles ATL 2B
7 Scott Rolen STL 3B
8 Edgar Renteria STL SS
9 Jim Thome PHI 1B
10 Richie Sexson MIL 1B
"THE QUAD" STATS
RankRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1065253104369853772003-10-04T00:38:00.000-07:002003-10-04T11:07:06.650-07:00National League "Quad" Leaders
As a follow-up to the American League article, I have prepared lists of those National Leaguers who did the best job of getting on base and accumulating bases (both in terms of the number of times as well as the percentage of times). The four categories of "The Quad" are times on base, on base percentage, total bases, and slugging average.
The leaders are as Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1065162362876454812003-10-02T23:26:00.000-07:002003-10-05T13:33:45.800-07:00Time To Give A-Rod The Nod
My American League MVP top ten list (excluding pitchers) is as follows:
Rank Player Team Pos
1 Alex Rodriguez TEX SS
2 Carlos Delgado TOR 1B
3 Manny Ramirez BOS LF
4 Bret Boone SEA 2B
5 Jorge Posada NYY C
6 Vernon Wells TOR CF
7 Bill Mueller BOS 3B
T8 Nomar Garciaparra BOS SS
T8 Alfonso Soriano NYY 2B
T10 Aubrey Huff TB RF
T10 Magglio Ordonez CWS RF
"THE Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1065117143539984582003-10-02T10:52:00.000-07:002003-10-03T06:45:19.213-07:00American League "Quad" Leaders
The regular season has concluded and the major newspapers and cable networks were quick to list the leaders in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in--the favorite stats of the media and casual baseball fan. But how many sources listed the real leaders, those who performed the best quantitatively and qualitatively in getting on base and driving runners Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1064790569893086092003-09-28T22:54:00.000-07:002003-10-30T20:37:26.430-08:00Don't Like Sosa? Put a Cork In It!
News Item: Sammy Sosa becomes the first National Leaguer to hit 40 home runs in six consecutive seasons. Sosa had been tied with Ralph Kiner (1947-1951) and Duke Snider (1953-1957) for the N.L. record with five straight years of at least 40 homers.
NATIONAL LEAGUE, MODERN (1900-)
NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE SEASONS HR >= 40
1 Sammy Sosa 1998-Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1064123208353150592003-09-20T22:46:00.000-07:002003-09-21T07:31:08.503-07:00Keeping Up With Jones
News Item: Chipper Jones has 102 RBI this year, extending his run of 100 RBI seasons to eight years--tied for the longest streak in National League history. (Courtesy of No Pepper.)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
MODERN (1900-)
RBI >= 100
T1 Mel Ott 1929-36 8
T1 Willie Mays 1959-66 8
T1 Sammy Sosa 1995-02 8
T1 Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1063491429831268132003-09-14T11:58:00.000-07:002003-09-18T21:42:51.226-07:00Walker Faces Tough Hurdle
News Item: Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle questions Larry Walker's physical condition and says the right fielder needs to decide in the off-season if he even wants to continue playing.
Walker, who has two years and $26 million left on his contract, is having his first subpar season as a Rockie and perhaps the worst year of his career. Does Hurdle really want Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1062954234663068542003-09-07T10:03:00.000-07:002003-09-07T10:21:04.906-07:00Truth and Consequences
Don't look now but Ichiro Suzuki and Barry Bonds have the same number of TB (257) despite the fact that Suzuki has had 247 more AB.
Comment: Suzuki is a great player but an MVP candidate he's not.
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that Aubrey Huff ranks in the top 11 in the A.L. in BA (.316), SLG (.556), OPS (.926), H (172), 2B (45), HR (28), TB (303), and RBI ( Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1062261506279759812003-08-30T09:38:00.000-07:002003-09-01T23:49:17.370-07:00Don't Short A-Rod's All-Time Ranking
News Item: Alex Rodriguez hits home run #40 for the sixth year in a row, the second longest 40-HR streak ever. With another 40-HR campaign in 2004, Rodriguez will tie Babe Ruth at seven for the most consecutive seasons of 40 or more homers.
Two weeks ago, I compared A-Rod's standing in baseball history among 27-year-olds and all-time home run sluggers (Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1061782410057939592003-08-24T20:33:00.000-07:002003-09-19T20:29:55.953-07:00Bonds...Bobby Bonds
News Item: Bobby Bonds died on Saturday at age 57.
The following article is meant to be a tribute to Bobby Lee Bonds in a Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT sort of way.
My attachment with Bonds goes back 35 years. In fact, I watched him hit a grand slam in his first game in the major leagues in 1968--the only player in the modern era to accomplish that feat. The Giants wereRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1061563959144183242003-08-22T07:52:00.000-07:002003-08-24T20:30:10.693-07:00Following Up On Passing The Time...
The Other Alex The Great, Alex Belth of Bronx Banter, informed me that "Bang the Drum Slowly" was not Robert DeNiro's first starring role. Alex, who is an expert when it comes to films as his background includes having worked on the Ken Burns "Baseball" documentary, pointed out DeNiro was the lead in two of Brian DePalma's early movies--"Greetings" and "Hi Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1061448313754122622003-08-20T23:45:00.000-07:002003-08-22T22:08:16.503-07:00Fool Me Once, Shame On You...
"It's deja vu all over again!"
--Yogi Berra
Sean McAdam wrote an article for ESPN.com on Wednesday, August 20, entitled Ichiro leads long list of AL MVP candidates. Although Ichiro Suzuki is not at the top of most sabermetricians' lists of MVP candidates, he apparently is the choice of many baseball writers and analysts (including ESPN's Peter Gammons, Joe Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1061168145122471612003-08-17T17:55:00.000-07:002003-08-20T10:32:04.270-07:00Where Does Alex The Great Rate as of This Date?
As I wrote last week in Drilling Deeper Into The Greatest HR Hitters Ever, there is one player who has the potential of becoming the all-time home run leader on a cumulative basis before he retires--yet has not appeared on any of the lists thus far because his career plate appearances prior to the 2003 season were below the 5,000 minimum I requiredRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1061005637760818832003-08-15T20:47:00.000-07:002003-08-16T14:06:24.860-07:00Frank's Rank in Baseball's All-Time Bank Revisited
As a follow-up to the Let's Be Frank About The Big Hurt article last month, I compiled four extra screens to highlight his standing among the hitting greats of the game. For anyone who remains skeptical about the White Sox slugger's place in baseball history, I believe they should take note of the following lists:
NUMBER OF SEASONS WITH OBP Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1060844116063925882003-08-13T23:55:00.000-07:002003-08-14T08:58:27.660-07:00Passing the Time...
In between weekend posts, I would like to refer readers to some of the other great baseball blogs and sports websites out there. There are numerous well-known and well-written blogs out there that should become a part of your daily reads. There are also a handful of sites that may be under the radar screen but should be worthy of your attention.
My son, Joe Lederer, and Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1060550101020239342003-08-10T14:15:00.000-07:002003-08-12T10:26:20.800-07:00Drilling Deeper Into The Greatest HR Hitters Ever
Trying to rank the greatest home run sluggers in history is no easy feat. Thus far, I have produced lists based on the standard cumulative totals as well as lists with the differences between the individual player and his league average expressed in absolute and relative terms.
My main problem with ranking players based on cumulative totals Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1060466642099068452003-08-09T15:04:00.000-07:002003-08-09T21:23:11.786-07:00The Greatest and Most Obscure...Part II
Extra, Extra! Pinto Collision Results in Recall.
David Pinto, the author of Baseball Musings, responded to last weekend's article on The Greatest and Most Obscure Home Run Hitters of All Time in a post on his widely read blog last Monday. Based on the fact that Cy Williams (who ranks as one of the four most prolific sluggers in baseball history based onRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1059953940973301402003-08-03T16:39:00.000-07:002003-08-05T08:14:35.226-07:00The Greatest and Most Obscure Home Run Hitters of All Time
Every baseball fan knows Hank Aaron is the all-time home run leader with 755. These same fans also know that Babe Ruth is in second place with 714 HR, and they are acutely aware that Barry Bonds may pass them both before he retires. But just who is the greatest home run hitter ever?
There have even been arguments made on behalf Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1059781695356549262003-08-01T16:48:00.000-07:002003-08-03T00:38:32.666-07:00Nobody Asked Me, But...
In the aftermath of the Frank Thomas article, I thought it would be timely to rank my top ten first basemen of all time.
1. Lou Gehrig
2. Jimmie Foxx
3. Mark McGwire
4. Frank Thomas
5. Jeff Bagwell
6. Johnny Mize
7. Hank Greenberg
8. Willie McCovey
9. Harmon Killebrew
10. Eddie Murray
The first two are easy. Lou Gehrig ranks number one by almost Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1059372019664050362003-07-27T23:00:00.000-07:002003-08-03T01:44:08.646-07:00Let's Be Frank About The Big Hurt
After the Ken Griffey Jr. article last weekend, I received an email suggesting that the Hall of Fame case for Frank Thomas will be much more interesting and difficult than that for Griffey. This response, combined with Thomas and Jeff Bagwell reaching the 400 home run milestone this month and Eddie Murray's induction in the Hall of Fame today, motivated me to Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1059283815623296822003-07-26T22:30:00.000-07:002003-08-02T23:25:17.413-07:00BEATen and Tired
I'm very frustrated right now. Re my Frank Thomas article, I had about 95% of my stats completed and most of the story written when Blogger asked me if I wanted to save or cancel the post. I clicked on the "save" button and then the post vanished in thin air as they say. It wasn't saved at all. Unfortunately, I didn't save it in Word. A story that had taken me literally Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1059231643993202812003-07-26T08:00:00.000-07:002003-08-02T23:26:26.673-07:00The BEAT Marches On...
I am going to feature Frank Thomas this weekend with an analysis similar to the one written last weekend on Ken Griffey Jr. I think many readers will find his place in history surprising.
In the meantime, I recommend you check out Eisenberg Sports and Dave's preliminary findings of a new stat he is developing called Bases Advanced Percentage (BAP).
Dave's definition of Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1058949821015655912003-07-23T01:43:00.000-07:002003-08-02T23:27:21.040-07:00It's Time to Air a Few Commercials
When I created Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT a few weeks ago, I had no idea if there was even an audience for my articles. To be honest, I wasn't sure how much time I would be able to devote to the research, analysis, and writing. I had no clue about Blogger or blogging. Nonetheless, like Ray Kinsella before me, I decided if I would "write it, they would comeRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1058849272356217772003-07-21T21:47:00.000-07:002003-08-03T00:40:09.710-07:00You've Got Questions, I've Got Answers...
I received the following questions in response to the Ken Griffey Jr. article posted over the weekend.
Q: You ranked Griffey as the sixth best center fielder of all time. How would you rank the top ten?
A: The top ten CF of all time, in my opinion, are as follows:
1. Ty Cobb
2. Mickey Mantle
3. Willie Mays
4. Tris Speaker
5. Joe Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1058651602982069662003-07-19T14:53:00.000-07:002003-08-03T01:46:45.060-07:00Ken Griffey: Senior or Junior Status?
News Item: Ken Griffey Jr. ruptured a tendon in his right ankle Thursday and had surgery to replace the tendon on Friday. Griffey will miss the rest of the season and is also expected to have surgery on his right shoulder in a few weeks.
Question: Does Griffey possess Hall of Fame credentials in the event that he were to retire and never play another Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1058338908532266522003-07-16T00:01:00.000-07:002003-08-03T01:54:07.580-07:00Todd Helton: Why Don't We Do It (on) the Road?
"Why don't we do it in the road?
No one will be watching us.
Why don't we do it in the road?"
--John Lennon/Paul McCartney
The Beatles (The White Album)
Watching the All-Star game on Tuesday night, I heard Fox play-by-play announcer Joe Buck make the following comment about Todd Helton during his first at bat:
"He does it at home. He does it Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1058164251059797562003-07-13T23:30:00.000-07:002003-08-03T00:23:49.436-07:00The Quad, Part III
As promised, I have compiled the single season, career leaders, and number of times leading the league in the four Quad categories. In addition, I created an overall ranking in terms of the total number of times having led the league in all four categories.
Babe Ruth shows his might by being the only player making each of the top ten single season and career lists. Not Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1057987697697721652003-07-11T22:28:00.000-07:002003-08-03T00:25:10.636-07:00The Quad, Part II
Last week, I introduced "The Quad". To recap, The Quad is awarded to a player who leads the league in on base percentage, slugging average, times on base, and total bases.
The Quad measures the two most important components of run production--the ability to get on base and the ability to drive base runners home. The former is covered via on base percentage (OBP) and times Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1057550640989755132003-07-06T21:04:00.000-07:002003-08-03T00:28:32.310-07:00It's That Time of the Year Again
The All-Star teams were announced earlier today. As usual, there are some good and bad choices in both the American and National Leagues. I have listed Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT picks next to the actual selections below along with my comments.
LEAGUE ACTUAL BEAT COMMENTS
C
A.L. Posada Posada Counting stats put Posada on top
N.L. Lopez Lopez Career year Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1057466341323503122003-07-05T21:39:00.000-07:002003-08-03T01:37:44.540-07:00Introducing "The Quad" Award
The Qualitative and Quantitative Statistical Achievement
Combines the Best of Rate Stats and Counting Stats
Everyone knows about the Triple Crown: the league leader in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in. Eleven different players have achieved this feat in modern baseball history with Rogers Hornsby and Ted Williams having accomplished it two times each.Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1057216234110177302003-07-03T00:10:00.000-07:002003-08-03T01:08:06.330-07:00Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on June 29, 2003. It follows in its original form.
Is Rocco Baldelli The Real Deal?
Rocco Baldelli, the 21-year-old rookie center fielder for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, caught the American League by storm in April when he hit .368 and was among the A.L. leaders in batting average, hits, doubles, and RBI. Baldelli has become a favorite among Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1057215338909936262003-07-02T23:55:00.000-07:002003-08-03T00:51:27.893-07:00The Word is Spreading...
What they are writing about Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT, a new blog for fanatics, sabermetricians, and students of the game's history. Specializing in player evaluations, comparisons, and rankings.
1. Brian Wheel, The New York Yankees Report:
NEW BASEBALL BLOG
If you're like me, you're just dying for new baseball blog entries over the weekend. To get your weekend Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525988.post-1057124256412295582003-07-01T22:37:00.000-07:002003-08-03T00:50:19.823-07:00What they are writing about Rich's Weekend Baseball BEAT, a new blog for fanatics, sabermetricians, and students of the game's history. Specializing in player evaluations, comparisons, and rankings.
1. Mike Carminati, Mike's Baseball Rants:
Shouts Out
I have added two new links on the left. One is Rich Lederer's Weekend Baseball Beat, which features an article on Rocco Baldelli and his Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399311163324445955noreply@blogger.com