This is a very lightweight article here. . .three bits of nonsense that I happened to like.
Strike One
You may remember (or not) that a couple of years ago, I went looking for a formula that would predict RBI based on a players’ other hitting stats, and I found a really good one. It’s Total Bases divided by four, plus Home Runs. That’s all you have to do; divide a player’s Total Bases by four, add his Home Runs; that’s about how many runs he will drive in.
Reviewing the 2010 season for this data. . .the following hitters matched or almost matched their expected RBI:
|
|
|
Expected
|
Hitter
|
Team
|
RBI
|
RBI
|
Braun,Ryan
|
Brewers
|
103
|
103
|
Wright,David
|
Mets
|
103
|
103
|
Tulowitzki,Troy
|
Rockies
|
95
|
94
|
Hunter,Torii
|
Angels
|
90
|
90
|
Reynolds,Mark
|
Diamondbacks
|
85
|
86
|
Kouzmanoff,Kevin
|
Athletics
|
71
|
71
|
Ludwick,Ryan
|
Padres
|
69
|
68
|
Gutierrez,Franklin
|
Mariners
|
64
|
64
|
Burrell,Pat
|
Giants
|
64
|
64
|
Stewart,Ian
|
Rockies
|
61
|
61
|
Span,Denard
|
Twins
|
58
|
58
|
Olivo,Miguel
|
Rockies
|
58
|
58
|
Pierzynski,A.J.
|
White Sox
|
56
|
55
|
Cantu,Jorge
|
Rangers
|
56
|
57
|
Cust,Jack
|
Athletics
|
52
|
51
|
Johnson,Chris
|
Astros
|
52
|
52
|
Kearns,Austin
|
Yankees
|
49
|
50
|
Rollins,Jimmy
|
Phillies
|
41
|
41
|
Valencia,Danny
|
Twins
|
40
|
41
|
Maier,Mitch
|
Royals
|
39
|
40
|
Torrealba,Yorvit
|
Padres
|
37
|
38
|
Duncan,Shelley
|
Indians
|
36
|
35
|
Hairston,Scott
|
Padres
|
36
|
36
|
Molina,Bengie
|
Rangers
|
36
|
36
|
Valdez,Wilson
|
Phillies
|
35
|
34
|
Nady,Xavier
|
Cubs
|
33
|
34
|
Kennedy,Adam
|
Nationals
|
31
|
31
|
Diaz,Matt
|
Braves
|
31
|
32
|
Avila,Alex
|
Tigers
|
31
|
32
|
Vizquel,Omar
|
White Sox
|
30
|
31
|
Bradley,Milton
|
Mariners
|
29
|
29
|
Young,Delwyn
|
Pirates
|
28
|
27
|
Iannetta,Chris
|
Rockies
|
27
|
27
|
Sweeney,Mike
|
Phillies
|
26
|
25
|
Lowell,Mike
|
Red Sox
|
26
|
25
|
Lucroy,Jonathan
|
Brewers
|
26
|
27
|
Janish,Paul
|
Reds
|
25
|
24
|
Church,Ryan
|
Diamondbacks
|
25
|
24
|
Laird,Gerald
|
Tigers
|
25
|
26
|
Ka'aihue,Kila
|
Royals
|
25
|
26
|
Moreland,Mitch
|
Rangers
|
25
|
26
|
Teahen,Mark
|
White Sox
|
25
|
26
|
Of the 427 major league hitters who drove in ten or more runs in 2010, 166 came within three RBI of matching their expectation. On the other hand, the following players drove in significantly more runs than expected:
Name
|
Team
|
RBI
|
Expected RBI
|
Difference
|
Rodriguez,Alex
|
Yankees
|
125
|
96
|
+29
|
Young,Delmon
|
Twins
|
112
|
91
|
+21
|
Loney,James
|
Dodgers
|
88
|
68
|
+20
|
Zobrist,Ben
|
Rays
|
75
|
58
|
+17
|
Molina,Yadier
|
Cardinals
|
62
|
46
|
+16
|
Kubel,Jason
|
Twins
|
92
|
76
|
+16
|
Cervelli,Francisco
|
Yankees
|
38
|
22
|
+16
|
While the following wazarongs drove in less:
Name
|
Team
|
RBI
|
Expected RBI
|
Difference
|
Suzuki,Ichiro
|
Mariners
|
43
|
73
|
-30
|
Johnson,Kelly
|
Diamondbacks
|
71
|
99
|
-28
|
Phillips,Brandon
|
Reds
|
59
|
85
|
-26
|
Jackson,Austin
|
Tigers
|
41
|
66
|
-25
|
McCutchen,Andrew
|
Pirates
|
56
|
80
|
-24
|
Weeks,Rickie
|
Brewers
|
83
|
105
|
-22
|
Markakis,Nick
|
Orioles
|
60
|
81
|
-21
|
Aybar,Erick
|
Angels
|
29
|
49
|
-20
|
Aviles,Mike
|
Royals
|
32
|
52
|
-20
|
Wells,Vernon
|
Blue Jays
|
88
|
107
|
-19
|
Edmonds,Jim
|
Reds
|
23
|
42
|
-19
|
Drew,Stephen
|
Diamondbacks
|
61
|
80
|
-19
|
Theriot,Ryan
|
Dodgers
|
29
|
48
|
-19
|
Bautista,Jose
|
Blue Jays
|
124
|
142
|
-18
|
Bruce,Jay
|
Reds
|
70
|
88
|
-18
|
Prado,Martin
|
Braves
|
66
|
84
|
-18
|
Reyes,Jose
|
Mets
|
54
|
71
|
-17
|
Fielder,Prince
|
Brewers
|
83
|
100
|
-17
|
Snider,Travis
|
Blue Jays
|
32
|
49
|
-17
|
Scutaro,Marco
|
Red Sox
|
56
|
72
|
-16
|
Lewis,Fred
|
Blue Jays
|
36
|
52
|
-16
|
Morgan,Nyjer
|
Nationals
|
24
|
40
|
-16
|
Werth,Jayson
|
Phillies
|
85
|
101
|
-16
|
Research has shown that, when a player drives in more runs than expected, this is on average about 50% because he had a higher-than-expected number of RBI opportunities, and about 50% because he hit well with runners on base and with runners in scoring position. Alex Emmanuel Rodriguez, for example, had a .774 OPS with the bases empty, but .924 with men on base. This creates more than an expected number of RBI, and his number of chances was also a little high. Delmon Young hit .355 with runners in scoring position, and was also fourth in the league in at bats with runners in scoring position.
Strike Two
OK, this is just a silly thing, so don’t expect too much. Did you ever wonder, like, what was the Milwaukee Brewers’ record in their 32 best starts of the season? It was 27-5, but the starting pitchers in those games were 24-1 with a 1.09 ERA. 22 of the 30 teams had ERAs under 1.00 in their starting pitchers’ 32 best starts.
I like doing this stuff because it creates records that sort of look like real pitchers’ records, but wander outside the normal parameters in key areas. I sorted the games started by each team into five groups of games:
Group A The 32 best starts of the season, by Game Scores
Group B The next 33 starts
Group C The middle group
Group D The 33 "bad but not worst" starts
Group F The 32 worst starts of the season by the team
Ties were broken by chronology. . .that is, if a team had six games that scored at "60" and half of them had to go in one group and half in the other, the first three chronologically went in the higher group.
There is no study so frivolous that you can’t accidentally learn something from it, and there are a number of sparks that jump off the page at us here. You might guess that there would be more difference in the ability to win in the mid-range starts than in the outstanding starts or the terrible starts, and this is true. The standard deviation of team wins was just 2.23 in the "A" games and 2.41 in the "F" games, but 3.50, 3.97 and 3.46 in the mid-range groups.
A perhaps more intriguing observation is that offense shows the same pattern. Teams scored an average of 4.25 runs per game in the "A" quality starts, 4.37 in the "B" games, 4.61 in the "C", 4.34 in the "D", and 4.36 in the "F" games. . .in other words, teams score more runs, rationally, when those runs are more needed and more meaningful.
Some of this. .perhaps all of it, I don’t know. . .is explained by extra-inning games and by batting in the bottom of the ninth. When your starting pitchers have an ERA of 0.70, there are a lot of games in which you don’t bat in the bottom of the ninth. I will start with the champions:
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Giants
|
A
|
32
|
246.3
|
24
|
4
|
.857
|
115
|
18
|
15
|
243
|
50
|
0.55
|
Giants
|
B
|
33
|
227.0
|
23
|
3
|
.885
|
154
|
51
|
50
|
212
|
74
|
1.98
|
Giants
|
C
|
32
|
200.7
|
11
|
7
|
.611
|
179
|
70
|
64
|
171
|
76
|
2.87
|
Giants
|
D
|
33
|
182.7
|
3
|
18
|
.143
|
205
|
109
|
101
|
146
|
84
|
4.98
|
Giants
|
F
|
32
|
143.3
|
0
|
23
|
.000
|
223
|
170
|
163
|
116
|
93
|
10.23
|
The Giants were 53-12 in their 65 best starts, second-best in baseball behind the Rays (54-11), and here’s a huge divider: the Giants were 27-6 in their "B" starts. The Dodgers were 16-17. The teams were separated in the standings by 12 games—11 of which were those "good but not great" starts.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Padres
|
A
|
32
|
216.0
|
27
|
1
|
.964
|
110
|
12
|
12
|
206
|
60
|
0.50
|
Padres
|
B
|
33
|
210.3
|
18
|
6
|
.750
|
143
|
42
|
38
|
169
|
68
|
1.63
|
Padres
|
C
|
32
|
191.7
|
11
|
10
|
.524
|
172
|
69
|
66
|
130
|
81
|
3.10
|
Padres
|
D
|
33
|
181.0
|
5
|
18
|
.217
|
219
|
110
|
103
|
134
|
72
|
5.12
|
Padres
|
F
|
32
|
145.7
|
5
|
21
|
.192
|
246
|
177
|
172
|
112
|
72
|
10.63
|
The Padres’ starting pitchers pitched only 216 innings even in their "A" games, reflecting not only the quality of their bullpen but Bud Black’s commitment to get to his bullpen, even when his starting pitcher was pitching well.
OK, here’s one of the things that I learned by doing this that is actually worth knowing. The Padres in 2010 had the fewest innings by their starting pitchers and the most innings in their bullpen of any team in their division. In part this was because they had a tremendous bullpen, but one suspects that, in part, it was also because they were banking on saving their starting pitching for the stretch drive. . .trying to keep their starting pitching strong. This, obviously, didn’t work out. The team that got hot down the stretch—and the team whose starting pitching was hot down the stretch—wasn’t the team whose starters had thrown the fewest innings, but the team whose starters had thrown the most innings, the Giants. Just noted for the record.
In their 32 best games, the Padres starters were perhaps the best in baseball. They allowed only 12 runs in those 32 games, the fewest in baseball. The Mets had an ERA .01 lower—(0.49 vs. 0.50), but the Mets starters gave up 19 more hits, had 15 fewer strikeouts, gave up 3 un-earned runs (vs. none for the Padres), and the Padre starting pitchers in those games were 27-1, the best in the NL.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Rockies
|
A
|
32
|
236.7
|
24
|
5
|
.828
|
122
|
18
|
18
|
208
|
80
|
0.68
|
Rockies
|
B
|
33
|
221.0
|
13
|
7
|
.650
|
188
|
70
|
63
|
186
|
53
|
2.57
|
Rockies
|
C
|
32
|
192.3
|
17
|
4
|
.810
|
183
|
92
|
85
|
156
|
77
|
3.98
|
Rockies
|
D
|
33
|
181.7
|
4
|
17
|
.190
|
226
|
132
|
115
|
152
|
78
|
5.70
|
Rockies
|
F
|
32
|
123.3
|
0
|
19
|
.000
|
220
|
172
|
166
|
77
|
75
|
12.11
|
You might guess that all of the Rockies best games would be on the road, and their worst games at home, but actually you would be wrong. Of their 32 best games, 15 were at home, 17 on the road; of their 32 worst games, 15 were at home, 17 on the road.
The Rockies’ 17-4 starter record in the mid-range contests was the second-best in baseball (behind the Twins), and of course that’s the record that really counts, because everybody wins when their starters are great and everybody loses when their starters are bad. Their team actually was 21-11 in those games, which is still good but was third in the National League.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Dodgers
|
A
|
32
|
243.7
|
23
|
1
|
.958
|
118
|
23
|
19
|
220
|
45
|
0.70
|
Dodgers
|
B
|
33
|
220.0
|
13
|
13
|
.500
|
151
|
49
|
46
|
216
|
54
|
1.88
|
Dodgers
|
C
|
32
|
192.7
|
10
|
8
|
.556
|
175
|
78
|
71
|
187
|
70
|
3.32
|
Dodgers
|
D
|
33
|
179.3
|
9
|
18
|
.333
|
207
|
126
|
114
|
140
|
80
|
5.72
|
Dodgers
|
F
|
32
|
117.0
|
0
|
24
|
.000
|
226
|
186
|
172
|
78
|
78
|
13.23
|
The Dodgers outscored their opponents in the "B" games, 114 to 86, but lost 17 of the 33 games. That’s really what ruined their season; they were 20-12 in the mid-range contests.
Dodger starting pitchers struck out 220 batters in "A" games, which was only 8th-highest in the majors, but also struck out 216 in the "B" games and 187 in the "C" starts, leading the majors in both categories.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Diamondbacks
|
A
|
32
|
242.3
|
20
|
1
|
.952
|
123
|
29
|
28
|
205
|
63
|
1.04
|
Diamondbacks
|
B
|
33
|
221.3
|
14
|
8
|
.636
|
189
|
74
|
69
|
166
|
54
|
2.81
|
Diamondbacks
|
C
|
32
|
196.7
|
9
|
12
|
.429
|
211
|
89
|
81
|
137
|
57
|
3.71
|
Diamondbacks
|
D
|
33
|
186.7
|
5
|
19
|
.208
|
231
|
135
|
123
|
137
|
89
|
5.93
|
Diamondbacks
|
F
|
32
|
146.0
|
1
|
25
|
.038
|
264
|
202
|
184
|
94
|
61
|
11.34
|
I ought to figure the performance of OPPOSING starting pitchers in the 32 best games against the D’Backs. I’ll bet there were 400 strikeouts. . ..
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Reds
|
A
|
32
|
234.7
|
23
|
2
|
.920
|
127
|
26
|
24
|
179
|
41
|
0.92
|
Reds
|
B
|
33
|
216.7
|
18
|
6
|
.750
|
159
|
57
|
49
|
149
|
64
|
2.04
|
Reds
|
C
|
32
|
191.0
|
10
|
5
|
.667
|
196
|
72
|
70
|
158
|
66
|
3.30
|
Reds
|
D
|
33
|
191.3
|
6
|
14
|
.300
|
230
|
135
|
122
|
133
|
61
|
5.74
|
Reds
|
F
|
32
|
131.3
|
0
|
17
|
.000
|
238
|
173
|
169
|
86
|
89
|
11.58
|
Here’s a really stunning contrast between the two Ohio teams. In their 32 worst starts, Reds starting pitchers pitched only 131.3 innings, walked 89 batters, gave up 238 hits and posted an 11.38 ERA. That’s middle-of-the-pack performance for that group. The Indians were a little better; in their 32 worst starts their starters pitched 146 innings, walked only 74, had an 11.10 ERA—yet the Reds were able to win eleven of those games, most in the majors, whereas the Indians were unable to win any of them (0-32). Every other team won at least two games in which their starting pitcher was battered.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Cardinals
|
A
|
32
|
248.0
|
25
|
1
|
.962
|
127
|
18
|
14
|
204
|
50
|
0.51
|
Cardinals
|
B
|
33
|
219.0
|
22
|
4
|
.846
|
180
|
44
|
43
|
183
|
50
|
1.77
|
Cardinals
|
C
|
32
|
192.3
|
14
|
9
|
.609
|
185
|
73
|
62
|
141
|
59
|
2.90
|
Cardinals
|
D
|
33
|
191.3
|
5
|
19
|
.208
|
231
|
119
|
107
|
132
|
83
|
5.03
|
Cardinals
|
F
|
32
|
140.3
|
2
|
23
|
.080
|
254
|
186
|
159
|
88
|
66
|
10.20
|
More than half of high-quality starts, of course, occur in home games—but no team other than the Cardinals had more than 21 of their 32 best starts in home games. The Cardinals had 25 of the 32.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Brewers
|
A
|
32
|
222.3
|
24
|
1
|
.960
|
129
|
28
|
27
|
192
|
60
|
1.09
|
Brewers
|
B
|
33
|
196.0
|
12
|
6
|
.667
|
165
|
59
|
50
|
176
|
74
|
2.30
|
Brewers
|
C
|
32
|
192.0
|
10
|
10
|
.500
|
198
|
95
|
84
|
133
|
73
|
3.94
|
Brewers
|
D
|
33
|
172.0
|
5
|
15
|
.250
|
206
|
135
|
127
|
154
|
87
|
6.65
|
Brewers
|
F
|
32
|
138.7
|
1
|
24
|
.040
|
269
|
208
|
188
|
99
|
76
|
12.20
|
Innings Pitched by starting pitchers in the "B" starts range from 231.3 by the Phillies (Halladay) down to 196 by the Brewers—despite the fact that Ken Macha is not generally quick to get to the bullpen. The Brewers were just 13-19 in their "C" group starts, when their starting pitchers posted a 3.94 ERA. This hurt them a great deal. They were six games worse than the Cubs in those games.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Cubs
|
A
|
32
|
231.0
|
20
|
4
|
.833
|
117
|
29
|
26
|
217
|
56
|
1.01
|
Cubs
|
B
|
33
|
215.3
|
15
|
5
|
.750
|
173
|
49
|
41
|
190
|
68
|
1.71
|
Cubs
|
C
|
32
|
202.0
|
15
|
11
|
.577
|
181
|
75
|
68
|
143
|
73
|
3.03
|
Cubs
|
D
|
33
|
184.0
|
9
|
13
|
.409
|
226
|
119
|
110
|
129
|
88
|
5.38
|
Cubs
|
F
|
32
|
128.0
|
1
|
27
|
.036
|
243
|
200
|
182
|
99
|
85
|
12.80
|
In the "F" quality starts the Cub bullpen allowed 126 runs—27 more than any other major league team.
The two Chicago teams have something in common. Most "F" quality starts, of course, are in road games. . .not quite 60%. But both Chicago teams had 20 of their 32 worst starts of the season in Chicago, tying for the most in the majors.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Pirates
|
A
|
32
|
216.3
|
17
|
5
|
.773
|
136
|
33
|
29
|
157
|
46
|
1.21
|
Pirates
|
B
|
33
|
203.0
|
11
|
10
|
.524
|
192
|
74
|
60
|
120
|
58
|
2.66
|
Pirates
|
C
|
32
|
174.3
|
5
|
14
|
.263
|
214
|
99
|
92
|
107
|
68
|
4.75
|
Pirates
|
D
|
33
|
170.3
|
1
|
26
|
.037
|
241
|
147
|
143
|
89
|
59
|
7.56
|
Pirates
|
F
|
32
|
107.7
|
0
|
29
|
.000
|
253
|
215
|
187
|
67
|
64
|
15.63
|
Every major league team got 20 wins in their "A" starts except the Royals and the Pirates. The Pirates actually scored 128 runs in these games—four runs per game, a reasonable number. Ten teams scored fewer runs in their "A" starts. The bullpen was a problem; the Pirates allowed 36 bullpen runs in these games. Pirate pitchers struck out only 157 batters in their "A" starts, lowest total in the majors, and pitched only 216.1 innings, second-lowest total, leaving a lot of cleanup work to be done by the bullpens.
In their worst games, Pirate starters were 0-29 with a 15.63 ERA, by far the worst in the majors. Second-worst was the Nationals, at 14.10.
Probably more damaging. . .the Pie Rates were 3-29 in "F" quality starts, which is bad but certainly not the worst in the majors. But they were 4-29 in their "D" quality starts, which was three games worse than any other major league team.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Phillies
|
A
|
32
|
255.0
|
23
|
4
|
.852
|
123
|
17
|
15
|
230
|
36
|
0.53
|
Phillies
|
B
|
33
|
231.3
|
19
|
5
|
.792
|
184
|
43
|
38
|
188
|
49
|
1.48
|
Phillies
|
C
|
32
|
208.0
|
16
|
4
|
.800
|
198
|
80
|
72
|
149
|
48
|
3.12
|
Phillies
|
D
|
33
|
194.3
|
10
|
14
|
.417
|
237
|
126
|
116
|
158
|
49
|
5.37
|
Phillies
|
F
|
32
|
146.7
|
2
|
21
|
.087
|
251
|
176
|
167
|
77
|
57
|
10.25
|
The Phillies were 23-9 in their "C" quality starts, best in the National League.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Braves
|
A
|
32
|
232.3
|
23
|
1
|
.958
|
131
|
23
|
20
|
189
|
55
|
0.77
|
Braves
|
B
|
33
|
213.0
|
13
|
6
|
.684
|
163
|
58
|
51
|
153
|
54
|
2.15
|
Braves
|
C
|
32
|
193.0
|
14
|
10
|
.583
|
191
|
76
|
72
|
143
|
67
|
3.36
|
Braves
|
D
|
33
|
184.7
|
8
|
11
|
.421
|
218
|
109
|
100
|
134
|
58
|
4.87
|
Braves
|
F
|
32
|
142.0
|
1
|
24
|
.040
|
237
|
173
|
164
|
92
|
64
|
10.39
|
If I get time I’ll go back and do this for the Braves in their glory years. I’ll bet they had years when their ERA in their "C" games was 2.40.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Marlins
|
A
|
32
|
236.3
|
23
|
1
|
.958
|
129
|
24
|
22
|
225
|
38
|
0.84
|
Marlins
|
B
|
33
|
210.3
|
24
|
3
|
.889
|
168
|
52
|
45
|
185
|
64
|
1.93
|
Marlins
|
C
|
32
|
191.3
|
10
|
11
|
.476
|
206
|
86
|
72
|
122
|
54
|
3.39
|
Marlins
|
D
|
33
|
172.3
|
4
|
16
|
.200
|
224
|
126
|
117
|
115
|
79
|
6.11
|
Marlins
|
F
|
32
|
127.7
|
2
|
26
|
.071
|
245
|
182
|
175
|
84
|
73
|
12.34
|
The Marlins actually beat the Phillies in their "A" and "B" quality starts (52-13 vs. 51-14), but were far behind them in all of the other groups. You can see that the Phillies’ "D" range games were much better-pitched than the Marlins’ were.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Mets
|
A
|
32
|
240.3
|
21
|
1
|
.955
|
129
|
15
|
13
|
191
|
55
|
0.49
|
Mets
|
B
|
33
|
221.7
|
15
|
5
|
.750
|
179
|
40
|
35
|
164
|
62
|
1.42
|
Mets
|
C
|
32
|
191.7
|
13
|
8
|
.619
|
191
|
70
|
67
|
123
|
69
|
3.15
|
Mets
|
D
|
33
|
187.0
|
4
|
17
|
.190
|
234
|
135
|
118
|
121
|
74
|
5.68
|
Mets
|
F
|
32
|
131.3
|
0
|
25
|
.000
|
258
|
190
|
177
|
82
|
70
|
12.13
|
The Mets had the best ERA of any major league team in the Group A games (0.49) and in the Group B games (1.42). They were just 24-8 in the Group A games, however, because their offense scored only 103 runs in those games, and the Mets’ back-of-the-line pitching was ordinary.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Rangers
|
A
|
32
|
238.0
|
22
|
3
|
.880
|
123
|
24
|
22
|
226
|
54
|
0.83
|
Rangers
|
B
|
33
|
212.0
|
19
|
2
|
.905
|
164
|
60
|
53
|
132
|
65
|
2.25
|
Rangers
|
C
|
32
|
183.3
|
11
|
9
|
.550
|
185
|
94
|
82
|
160
|
70
|
4.03
|
Rangers
|
D
|
33
|
181.3
|
5
|
20
|
.200
|
218
|
134
|
125
|
130
|
76
|
6.20
|
Rangers
|
F
|
32
|
137.0
|
1
|
19
|
.050
|
228
|
176
|
165
|
109
|
83
|
10.84
|
The Rangers, with their strong offense, won nine games in which the starting pitcher was pounded, second-most in baseball behind the Reds.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Athletics
|
A
|
32
|
235.3
|
26
|
1
|
.963
|
115
|
17
|
13
|
174
|
56
|
0.50
|
Athletics
|
B
|
33
|
217.0
|
19
|
5
|
.792
|
155
|
45
|
40
|
166
|
68
|
1.66
|
Athletics
|
C
|
32
|
201.3
|
13
|
9
|
.591
|
167
|
72
|
64
|
131
|
70
|
2.86
|
Athletics
|
D
|
33
|
195.7
|
6
|
16
|
.273
|
217
|
116
|
104
|
116
|
63
|
4.78
|
Athletics
|
F
|
32
|
142.7
|
0
|
27
|
.000
|
250
|
173
|
162
|
88
|
70
|
10.22
|
The A’s front-line outings were among the best in baseball, and they were 29-3 in those games—tied with the Twins for the second-best in baseball.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Angels
|
A
|
32
|
249.3
|
20
|
3
|
.870
|
133
|
28
|
23
|
215
|
50
|
0.83
|
Angels
|
B
|
33
|
225.0
|
18
|
4
|
.818
|
169
|
52
|
45
|
185
|
63
|
1.80
|
Angels
|
C
|
32
|
197.7
|
18
|
8
|
.692
|
185
|
77
|
74
|
151
|
69
|
3.37
|
Angels
|
D
|
33
|
189.0
|
5
|
20
|
.200
|
236
|
124
|
118
|
123
|
76
|
5.62
|
Angels
|
F
|
32
|
152.3
|
1
|
28
|
.034
|
275
|
208
|
196
|
88
|
74
|
11.58
|
I should have been able to find something to say about the Angels.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Mariners
|
A
|
32
|
256.7
|
22
|
2
|
.917
|
141
|
26
|
22
|
244
|
43
|
0.77
|
Mariners
|
B
|
33
|
228.7
|
15
|
7
|
.682
|
188
|
56
|
50
|
143
|
55
|
1.97
|
Mariners
|
C
|
32
|
204.0
|
5
|
17
|
.227
|
192
|
91
|
75
|
107
|
64
|
3.31
|
Mariners
|
D
|
33
|
186.7
|
3
|
19
|
.136
|
222
|
123
|
113
|
97
|
60
|
5.45
|
Mariners
|
F
|
32
|
142.7
|
1
|
27
|
.036
|
255
|
187
|
174
|
76
|
56
|
10.98
|
Seattle pitchers pitched 256.2 innings in their 32 best starts, the most of any major league team, perhaps because of Felix, perhaps because of managerial philosophy. I didn’t check this for any other team or pitcher, but of Seattle’s 32 best starts, 16 were by Hernandez, 8 were by Cliff Lee, 4 by Jason Vargas, 2 by Fister, 2 by French.
Mariner pitchers recorded 244 strikeouts in those 32 games, again the most of any major league team. But the Mariners were 17-80 in their 97 weakest starts.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Twins
|
A
|
32
|
246.7
|
25
|
2
|
.926
|
135
|
18
|
18
|
218
|
35
|
0.66
|
Twins
|
B
|
33
|
226.0
|
20
|
5
|
.800
|
176
|
62
|
60
|
150
|
45
|
2.39
|
Twins
|
C
|
32
|
207.0
|
19
|
3
|
.864
|
230
|
85
|
77
|
130
|
51
|
3.35
|
Twins
|
D
|
33
|
183.0
|
8
|
18
|
.308
|
239
|
128
|
127
|
129
|
57
|
6.25
|
Twins
|
F
|
32
|
133.0
|
1
|
22
|
.043
|
275
|
186
|
179
|
79
|
45
|
12.11
|
The big separator in teams, as we mentioned, is the "Group C" games, the mid-range games. The Twins were the best team in the majors in those games, going 25-7. A big difference here, of course, is "How many good starts does the team have?" The Twins are going to do better in these games than the Pirates because, in the mid-range games, Twins pitchers pitched 207 innings with a 3.35 ERA, whereas Pirate pitchers pitched 174.3 innings with a 4.75 ERA. Another big factor, though, was that Twins relievers in these games allowed only 29 runs, whereas several teams allowed 60 or more in those games. The Twins’ 19-3 starting pitcher record in their "mid-range" contests is very, very impressive.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
White Sox
|
A
|
32
|
243.3
|
24
|
2
|
.923
|
127
|
27
|
26
|
207
|
51
|
0.96
|
White Sox
|
B
|
33
|
227.3
|
20
|
4
|
.833
|
190
|
61
|
55
|
163
|
61
|
2.18
|
White Sox
|
C
|
32
|
193.3
|
15
|
7
|
.682
|
189
|
82
|
77
|
107
|
53
|
3.58
|
White Sox
|
D
|
33
|
194.3
|
3
|
18
|
.143
|
262
|
134
|
123
|
130
|
63
|
5.70
|
White Sox
|
F
|
32
|
146.3
|
2
|
23
|
.080
|
277
|
196
|
194
|
98
|
76
|
11.93
|
There is a really interesting contrast between the White Sox and the Yankees. The White Sox were 27-5 in the "A" games by their starting pitchers; the Yankees were 25-7. The White Sox were 24-9 in the "B" games, 21-11 in the "C" games; the Yankees were 27-6 and 21-11. The White Sox actually beat the Yankees in the worst games by starting pitchers, the "F" efforts; the White Sox won 7 of those, the Yankees only 5. Adding together groups A, B, C and F, the White Sox were 79-50, whereas the Yankees were 78-51.
The entire difference between the two teams was in the "D" starts, the games in which the starting pitcher was bad but not horrific. The Yankees scored 199 runs in that group of 33 games, gave up only 46 bullpen runs, and actually managed to win 17 of the 33 games (17-16). The White Sox scored only 135 runs, gave up 56 bullpen runs, and finished 9-24 in the Group D performances.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Tigers
|
A
|
32
|
242.7
|
26
|
1
|
.963
|
125
|
31
|
28
|
232
|
42
|
1.04
|
Tigers
|
B
|
33
|
222.0
|
13
|
10
|
.565
|
160
|
68
|
65
|
180
|
70
|
2.64
|
Tigers
|
C
|
32
|
198.0
|
10
|
10
|
.500
|
219
|
92
|
85
|
139
|
68
|
3.86
|
Tigers
|
D
|
33
|
174.7
|
3
|
15
|
.167
|
231
|
134
|
118
|
107
|
85
|
6.08
|
Tigers
|
F
|
32
|
138.3
|
1
|
23
|
.042
|
251
|
194
|
188
|
70
|
73
|
12.23
|
The Tigers, like the Dodgers, were 16-17 in the "B" games, which doomed their season. Those are winnable games; you have to win them. Even the Indians were 23-10 in those games.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Indians
|
A
|
32
|
238.7
|
22
|
3
|
.880
|
144
|
41
|
35
|
158
|
54
|
1.32
|
Indians
|
B
|
33
|
199.0
|
15
|
5
|
.750
|
175
|
66
|
59
|
143
|
61
|
2.67
|
Indians
|
C
|
32
|
190.7
|
10
|
14
|
.417
|
197
|
95
|
83
|
116
|
89
|
3.92
|
Indians
|
D
|
33
|
174.3
|
4
|
21
|
.160
|
238
|
132
|
121
|
104
|
84
|
6.25
|
Indians
|
F
|
32
|
146.0
|
0
|
28
|
.000
|
266
|
193
|
180
|
64
|
74
|
11.10
|
The "C" range records look just like the records of real pitchers—10-14, 3.92 ERA. The "B" range games look like the records of Cy Young candidates, while the "C" range games look like guys who would start for four months for the worst teams in the league and then be dropped from the rotation. The "A" and "F" groups are just out of range, and don’t look like any real seasons.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Royals
|
A
|
32
|
229.0
|
17
|
3
|
.850
|
129
|
37
|
34
|
182
|
46
|
1.34
|
Royals
|
B
|
33
|
212.0
|
12
|
9
|
.571
|
175
|
75
|
69
|
131
|
85
|
2.93
|
Royals
|
C
|
32
|
191.7
|
11
|
11
|
.500
|
215
|
114
|
98
|
127
|
67
|
4.60
|
Royals
|
D
|
33
|
177.7
|
6
|
19
|
.240
|
245
|
151
|
148
|
126
|
76
|
7.50
|
Royals
|
F
|
32
|
129.7
|
0
|
26
|
.000
|
269
|
203
|
199
|
88
|
74
|
13.81
|
Every major league team got 20 wins in their "A" starts except the Royals and the Pirates; the Royals were 17-3, the Pirates 17-5. As the Mets had the best ERA of any major league team in the Group A games and in the Group B games, the Royals had the worst—a 1.34 ERA in the A games, 2.93 in the B games.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Rays
|
A
|
32
|
243.7
|
24
|
4
|
.857
|
130
|
30
|
24
|
217
|
55
|
0.89
|
Rays
|
B
|
33
|
226.7
|
20
|
4
|
.833
|
164
|
60
|
55
|
168
|
67
|
2.18
|
Rays
|
C
|
32
|
195.3
|
12
|
8
|
.600
|
183
|
83
|
78
|
181
|
61
|
3.59
|
Rays
|
D
|
33
|
186.3
|
14
|
12
|
.538
|
230
|
105
|
99
|
129
|
73
|
4.78
|
Rays
|
F
|
32
|
147.7
|
3
|
22
|
.120
|
257
|
191
|
187
|
102
|
72
|
11.40
|
19-14 record in their "D" quality starts was a huge asset for them. They really just did not have a lot of badly pitched games.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Yankees
|
A
|
32
|
235.0
|
25
|
2
|
.926
|
118
|
25
|
21
|
217
|
63
|
0.80
|
Yankees
|
B
|
33
|
218.3
|
24
|
3
|
.889
|
162
|
54
|
51
|
163
|
62
|
2.10
|
Yankees
|
C
|
32
|
197.0
|
17
|
7
|
.708
|
194
|
89
|
82
|
151
|
78
|
3.75
|
Yankees
|
D
|
33
|
180.0
|
5
|
12
|
.294
|
219
|
136
|
129
|
128
|
71
|
6.45
|
Yankees
|
F
|
32
|
142.7
|
1
|
26
|
.037
|
256
|
196
|
187
|
94
|
78
|
11.80
|
Yankees were 90-40 in the top four groups, including 17-16 in Group D. The starters were 5-12 in Group D games, but their bullpen was 12-4.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Red Sox
|
A
|
32
|
242.0
|
28
|
0
|
1.000
|
116
|
25
|
18
|
204
|
63
|
0.67
|
Red Sox
|
B
|
33
|
224.0
|
19
|
5
|
.792
|
159
|
58
|
51
|
202
|
69
|
2.05
|
Red Sox
|
C
|
32
|
204.7
|
9
|
10
|
.474
|
196
|
91
|
77
|
167
|
70
|
3.39
|
Red Sox
|
D
|
33
|
189.7
|
12
|
14
|
.462
|
241
|
138
|
124
|
145
|
79
|
5.88
|
Red Sox
|
F
|
32
|
151.0
|
2
|
21
|
.087
|
268
|
205
|
199
|
115
|
102
|
11.86
|
The Red Sox took care of business when the starting pitcher was "on" better than any other major league team. In their 32 best starts, Red Sox starters were 28-0. They were the only team to have 28 starter wins in those games, and the only team whose starters did not take a loss in their "A" quality games. The Red Sox team record in those games, 30-2, was the best in the baseball.
Better yet, only 13 of those 32 games were home games, and the Red Sox scored "only" 150 runs in those 32 games, well below their normal offensive output (162 runs per 32 games.) But we gave it back with very unimpressive performance in the mid-range starts.
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Blue Jays
|
A
|
32
|
243.7
|
25
|
1
|
.962
|
113
|
29
|
25
|
204
|
49
|
0.92
|
Blue Jays
|
B
|
33
|
214.7
|
17
|
5
|
.773
|
168
|
52
|
49
|
188
|
76
|
2.05
|
Blue Jays
|
C
|
32
|
193.7
|
14
|
7
|
.667
|
192
|
82
|
76
|
160
|
66
|
3.53
|
Blue Jays
|
D
|
33
|
183.3
|
6
|
15
|
.286
|
232
|
129
|
118
|
143
|
82
|
5.79
|
Blue Jays
|
F
|
32
|
123.3
|
1
|
23
|
.042
|
240
|
200
|
190
|
88
|
72
|
13.86
|
Team
|
Group
|
GS
|
IP
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
H
|
R
|
ER
|
SO
|
BB
|
ERA
|
Orioles
|
A
|
32
|
238.0
|
21
|
5
|
.808
|
128
|
30
|
25
|
159
|
57
|
0.95
|
Orioles
|
B
|
33
|
212.0
|
13
|
6
|
.684
|
175
|
63
|
60
|
145
|
63
|
2.55
|
Orioles
|
C
|
32
|
190.7
|
4
|
14
|
.222
|
205
|
97
|
91
|
116
|
59
|
4.30
|
Orioles
|
D
|
33
|
182.0
|
4
|
23
|
.148
|
230
|
148
|
138
|
102
|
83
|
6.82
|
Orioles
|
F
|
32
|
125.0
|
0
|
24
|
.000
|
247
|
189
|
178
|
70
|
76
|
12.82
|
In their 32 best games the Oriole starters were 21-5 with an 0.95 ERA, which sounds good although it really is just OK. But Oriole relievers in those 32 games gave up 43 runs, the most of any team (in the "A" starts), which, with the 30 given up by the starters, makes a total of 73; their run advantage in those 32 games was just 119-73, the weakest ratio (in those games) of any major league team.
Strike Three
Spinning off of Jayson Werth, there has been a thread in the "Hey, Bill" section about players who had very "late" careers. . .players who were late getting a shot, but had good careers anyway. In regard to this, here is a chronological chart of players who had (or are having) late careers, defined as "two-thirds of their career games played or more after the age of 30." I note that the player we have been using to define the group, Brian Downing, actually doesn’t qualify for the list; he’s at 63%.
The categories of this chart are:
Age—the year in which the player was 30 years old
Years played in the majors by the age of 30
Career Home Runs by the age of 30
Career RBI by the age of 30
Career Batting Average by the age of 30
Years played in the majors after the age of 30
Career Home Runs after the age of 30
Career RBI after the age of 30
Career Batting Average after the age of 30
Percentage of career games that are after the age-30 season (Late Pct)
First
|
Last
|
YEAR
|
Years
|
G
|
HR
|
RBI
|
Avg
|
Years
|
G
|
HR
|
RBI
|
Avg
|
Late Pct
|
Deacon
|
White
|
1878
|
3
|
186
|
3
|
138
|
.348
|
12
|
1113
|
15
|
618
|
.295
|
86%
|
Jim
|
O'Rourke
|
1881
|
6
|
441
|
10
|
216
|
.315
|
13
|
1333
|
41
|
794
|
.308
|
75%
|
Cap
|
Anson
|
1882
|
7
|
488
|
5
|
404
|
.353
|
15
|
1788
|
92
|
1475
|
.322
|
79%
|
Dave
|
Foutz
|
1887
|
4
|
302
|
7
|
0
|
.296
|
9
|
833
|
24
|
548
|
.270
|
73%
|
Chief
|
Zimmer
|
1891
|
7
|
418
|
6
|
169
|
.235
|
12
|
862
|
20
|
451
|
.285
|
67%
|
Bones
|
Ely
|
1893
|
5
|
205
|
0
|
27
|
.240
|
9
|
1136
|
24
|
559
|
.261
|
85%
|
Frank
|
Bowerman
|
1899
|
5
|
226
|
4
|
108
|
.273
|
10
|
819
|
9
|
284
|
.243
|
78%
|
Jack
|
McCarthy
|
1899
|
4
|
364
|
7
|
188
|
.292
|
8
|
727
|
0
|
286
|
.284
|
67%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doc
|
Casey
|
1900
|
3
|
172
|
1
|
61
|
.263
|
7
|
942
|
8
|
293
|
.258
|
85%
|
Jimmy
|
Austin
|
1910
|
2
|
269
|
3
|
75
|
.224
|
16
|
1311
|
10
|
315
|
.251
|
83%
|
Cy
|
Williams
|
1918
|
7
|
633
|
40
|
249
|
.256
|
12
|
1369
|
211
|
756
|
.308
|
68%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ken
|
Williams
|
1920
|
5
|
289
|
16
|
125
|
.285
|
9
|
1108
|
180
|
788
|
.328
|
79%
|
Sam
|
Rice
|
1920
|
6
|
518
|
7
|
240
|
.319
|
14
|
1886
|
27
|
838
|
.323
|
78%
|
George
|
Harper
|
1922
|
4
|
288
|
2
|
99
|
.282
|
7
|
785
|
89
|
429
|
.310
|
73%
|
Sparky
|
Adams
|
1925
|
4
|
372
|
7
|
113
|
.284
|
9
|
1052
|
2
|
281
|
.286
|
74%
|
Rip
|
Radcliff
|
1936
|
3
|
298
|
18
|
155
|
.308
|
7
|
783
|
24
|
377
|
.312
|
72%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George
|
McQuinn
|
1940
|
4
|
491
|
48
|
273
|
.299
|
8
|
1059
|
87
|
521
|
.264
|
68%
|
Walker
|
Cooper
|
1945
|
6
|
437
|
30
|
241
|
.298
|
12
|
1036
|
143
|
571
|
.279
|
70%
|
Hank
|
Majeski
|
1947
|
5
|
355
|
16
|
154
|
.262
|
8
|
714
|
41
|
347
|
.289
|
67%
|
Hank
|
Sauer
|
1947
|
3
|
47
|
7
|
29
|
.290
|
12
|
1352
|
281
|
847
|
.266
|
97%
|
Jackie
|
Robinson
|
1949
|
3
|
454
|
40
|
257
|
.312
|
7
|
928
|
97
|
477
|
.311
|
67%
|
Dave
|
Philley
|
1950
|
6
|
606
|
21
|
228
|
.270
|
12
|
1298
|
63
|
501
|
.270
|
68%
|
Minnie
|
Minoso
|
1953
|
4
|
453
|
39
|
242
|
.305
|
13
|
1382
|
147
|
781
|
.296
|
75%
|
Jim
|
Rivera
|
1953
|
2
|
306
|
18
|
126
|
.256
|
8
|
865
|
65
|
296
|
.257
|
74%
|
Dale
|
Long
|
1956
|
3
|
323
|
46
|
182
|
.271
|
7
|
690
|
86
|
285
|
.264
|
68%
|
Elston
|
Howard
|
1959
|
5
|
533
|
52
|
260
|
.279
|
9
|
1072
|
115
|
502
|
.272
|
67%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ed
|
Charles
|
1963
|
2
|
305
|
32
|
153
|
.277
|
6
|
700
|
54
|
268
|
.257
|
70%
|
Davey
|
Lopes
|
1975
|
4
|
453
|
24
|
114
|
.266
|
12
|
1359
|
131
|
500
|
.262
|
75%
|
Tom
|
Paciorek
|
1977
|
8
|
447
|
15
|
105
|
.254
|
10
|
945
|
71
|
398
|
.292
|
68%
|
The rapid expansion in this era (1961-1977) appears to have prevented deserving players from being locked in the minors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
|
Last
|
YEAR
|
Years
|
G
|
HR
|
RBI
|
Avg
|
Years
|
G
|
HR
|
RBI
|
Avg
|
Late Pct
|
Mike
|
Easler
|
1981
|
8
|
339
|
31
|
136
|
.302
|
6
|
812
|
87
|
386
|
.290
|
71%
|
Ernie
|
Whitt
|
1982
|
6
|
318
|
19
|
101
|
.240
|
9
|
1010
|
115
|
433
|
.251
|
76%
|
Jim
|
Eisenreich
|
1989
|
6
|
308
|
16
|
111
|
.268
|
9
|
1114
|
36
|
366
|
.297
|
78%
|
Otis
|
Nixon
|
1989
|
7
|
506
|
3
|
55
|
.222
|
10
|
1203
|
8
|
263
|
.280
|
70%
|
Edgar
|
Martinez
|
1993
|
7
|
563
|
49
|
217
|
.306
|
11
|
1492
|
260
|
1044
|
.314
|
73%
|
Jeff
|
Reboulet
|
1994
|
3
|
256
|
5
|
54
|
.242
|
9
|
762
|
15
|
148
|
.240
|
75%
|
Jeff
|
Conine
|
1996
|
6
|
604
|
81
|
372
|
.298
|
11
|
1420
|
133
|
699
|
.279
|
70%
|
Matt
|
Stairs
|
1998
|
6
|
401
|
64
|
226
|
.288
|
11
|
1360
|
195
|
655
|
.258
|
77%
|
Orlando
|
Palmeiro
|
1999
|
5
|
323
|
1
|
59
|
.279
|
8
|
883
|
11
|
167
|
.272
|
73%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
|
Hatteberg
|
2000
|
6
|
360
|
31
|
134
|
.273
|
8
|
954
|
75
|
393
|
.273
|
73%
|
Craig
|
Counsell
|
2001
|
6
|
457
|
11
|
116
|
.269
|
9
|
1060
|
30
|
265
|
.253
|
70%
|
Raul
|
Ibanez
|
2002
|
7
|
472
|
51
|
215
|
.270
|
8
|
1201
|
181
|
755
|
.288
|
72%
|
Paul
|
Lo Duca
|
2002
|
5
|
350
|
40
|
174
|
.290
|
6
|
732
|
40
|
307
|
.284
|
68%
|
Melvin
|
Mora
|
2002
|
4
|
475
|
34
|
160
|
.249
|
8
|
1039
|
137
|
578
|
.289
|
69%
|
Casey
|
Blake
|
2004
|
6
|
353
|
47
|
162
|
.261
|
6
|
849
|
116
|
428
|
.265
|
71%
|
The ultimate "late" career is Hank Sauer. Luke Easter is not on the list because I required a 1000-game career. Easter played only 491 major league games.