Research & Articles – Page 8 – Society for American Baseball Research, Rogers Hornsby Chapter

Arbitration Wrap-up – 2010

Bill Gilbert’s analysis of the 2010 salary arbitration "season" may be downloaded here.

Barzilla’s Presentation Part II

Scott Barzilla’s Presentation Part II

at the 4^th Annual SABR Rogers Hornsby Chapter Winter Meeting, Jan. 23, 2010

at Texas State University-San Marcos

Centerfield

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Ty Cobb	240.67	158.5	159.3	139.67	100.4	97.3	895.84
Willie Mays	214	177.6	154.7	129.67	111.1	99.7	886.77
Tris Speaker	210	143.7	132.8	129.33	94	86.2	796.03
Mickey Mantle	188.33	124.9	120.2	133	95.5	90.9	752.83
Joe DiMaggio	129	101.2	83.4	108.33	85.8	66.1	573.83
Ken Griffey Jr	134.33	79.7	79.2	92	64.6	68.2	518.03
Billy Hamilton	112.33	78.3	69.6	94.33	69.6	61.7	485.86
Duke Snider	117.33	66.8	67.2	96.33	58.8	60.4	466.86
Jim Edmonds	97.67	82.5	66.6	83	73.5	61.4	464.67
Richie Ashburn	109.67	76.2	58	84.67	65.9	53.4	447.84
Jimmy Wynn	101.67	68.2	59.8	89.67	66.9	58.3	444.54
Bernie Williams	104	78.9	47.1	82.67	71.2	45.3	429.17
Cesar Cedeno	98.67	70.6	52.1	78.67	61.6	47.5	409.14
Brett Butler	98.33	76.9	46.5	76.33	63.2	43.1	404.36
Andruw Jones	85	61.3	58.4	77	59.1	58.5	399.3
Max Carey	117	59.1	50.6	81.67	48.4	41.3	398.07
Vada Pinson	107	57.7	49	82	51.9	45.9	393.5
Tommy Leach	109.33	60	51	82	49.9	40.4	392.63
Kirby Puckett	93.67	66.5	45	82.33	61.4	42.2	391.1
Larry Doby	89.33	57.7	47.4	85.67	56.7	47.1	383.9
High Duffy	98.33	55	49.6	83.67	49.3	44.4	380.3
George Van Haltren	114.67	52.3	45.9	80	45.1	37.5	375.47
Earl Averill	93.33	49.8	45.2	89.33	50.2	45.2	373.06
Dale Murphy	98	50.1	44.4	83	48.9	45.9	370.3
Edd Roush	104.67	49.4	46.8	83.33	44.6	41	369.8
Hack Wilson	74.67	42.8	38.8	73.33	43.4	39.8	312.8
Earle Combs	75.67	39	44.6	72.33	37.6	43.5	312.7
Lloyd Waner	81.67	38.6	24.1	69	34.8	25.4	273.57

Right Fielders

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Babe Ruth	252	198.7	190	153.33	125	122	1041
Hank Aaron	214.33	159.4	141.5	118.67	98.7	84.3	816.9
Mel Ott	176	141.4	109.2	111.67	95.5	73.6	707.37
Frank Robinson	173	126.1	107.1	105.33	81.9	69.3	662.73
Reggie Jackson	148	93.5	74.4	98.67	70.9	61.7	547.17
Al Kaline	147.67	89.5	90.8	89.33	65.5	63.9	546.7
Paul Waner	141	90	73.8	101.33	69.6	58.2	533.93
Sam Crawford	148.67	80.6	76.3	101	61.1	55	522.67
Roberto Clemente	125.67	82.7	83.6	89.67	63.4	65.4	510.44
Tony Gwynn	132.67	97.6	68.5	89.67	70.6	50.1	509.14
Gary Sheffield	143.33	79.7	63.3	100	61.7	51.5	499.53
Dave Winfield	138.33	85.2	59.7	86.33	57.2	47.1	473.86
Harry Heilmann	118.67	67.7	69.3	90.33	57.7	57.7	461.4
Willie Keeler	111	76.9	60.7	82	66.6	52	449.2
Elmer Flick	97	72.8	56.6	93.33	72.1	55.7	447.53
Sammy Sosa	107	69.6	59.5	84.67	59.8	55.2	435.77
Dwight Evans	115.67	70.5	61.7	78	54.8	46.2	426.87
Bobby Bonds	100.67	65.2	56.9	88	60	51.8	422.57
Reggie Smith	108.33	63.5	63.2	83.33	50.8	50.5	419.66
Enos Slaughter	107.67	72.1	54.1	82	59.1	44.2	419.17
Andre Dawson	113.33	66.1	56.8	78	57	47.2	418.43
Larry Walker	102.67	63.8	67.1	78	53	53.3	417.87
King Kelly	92.67	85.1	47.4	73	69.8	45.6	413.57
Rusty Staub	119.33	63.9	45	84.67	50.3	40.1	403.3
Vladimir Guerrero	100.33	53.3	57.1	88.67	49	53.2	401.6
Bobby Abreu	104	57.1	57	81	51.1	51.3	401.5
Kiki Cuyler	97.33	57.1	49.7	81.33	51.2	46	382.66
Harry Hooper	107	57.4	52.3	73.67	47.4	40.6	378.37
Sam Rice	109	50.6	51	76	40.7	40	367.3
Sam Thompson	78.67	65.5	46.5	71	60.1	43	364.77
Chuck Klein	79.33	44.4	39.2	72.33	45.2	38	318.46
Ross Youngs	68.67	43.5	36.2	68.67	43.5	36.2	296.74
Tommy McCarthy	56.67	15.9	18.2	56	24.8	21.8	193.37

Pitchers

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Walter Johnson	186.67	172	127.7	126.67	119	91.8	823.84
Cy Young	211.33	140.3	146	128.33	89.7	94.9	810.56
Roger Clemens	145.67	164.5	128.4	86.67	101.4	80.6	707.24
Pete Alexander	158.67	132.2	104.9	110.33	96.4	76.3	678.8
Greg Maddux	132.67	155.6	96.8	82	101.8	67.2	636.07
Kid Nichols	159.33	82.1	102.3	130.33	69.9	87.6	631.56
Christy Mathewson	142	107.9	87.7	111.67	92.5	79.2	620.97
Lefty Grove	130.33	113.9	98.3	100.33	91.4	78.1	612.36
Warren Spahn	137.33	132.4	93.4	86.33	87.9	60.1	597.46
Tom Seaver	129.33	117.9	105.3	85	75.9	70.7	584.13
Phil Niekro	124.67	121.5	96.8	78.33	85.7	68.6	575.6
Tim Keefe	137.67	78.1	82.5	123	71.9	78.9	572.07
John Clarkson	132	74	82.1	128	73.3	81.8	571.2
Randy Johnson	108.67	115	91.8	76.33	87.1	72.1	551
Gaylord Perry	123	91.9	96.3	81	63.4	71.3	526.9
Bob Gibson	105.67	94.9	85.6	86	79.7	73.5	525.37
Steve Carlton	122	100.3	84.4	80	72.9	64.6	524.2
Robin Roberts	113	100.6	80.9	82	74.5	62.2	513.2
Pud Galvin	134.33	59.8	70.5	118.67	55.5	68.6	507.4
Charles Radbourn	130.33	52.7	71.6	127.33	52.9	71.3	506.16
Eddie Plank	120.33	83.3	76.3	86.33	66.2	55.8	488.26
Bert Blyleven	113	90.6	90.1	72.67	58.9	61.2	486.47
Pedro Martinez	85.33	98.4	75.9	69	80.6	65.6	474.83
Tom Glavine	104.67	118.5	67	68	65.6	47.1	470.87
Fergie Jenkins	107.67	83.8	81.3	77.67	63.4	55.5	469.34
Carl Hubbell	101.67	88.6	64.4	82.67	74.3	55.9	467.54
Mike Mussina	90	101.9	74.8	62	75.5	54.3	458.5
Tony Mullane	133	34.4	65.1	122.33	39.1	62.8	456.73
Bob Caruthers	112.33	43.2	71.4	112.33	43.2	71.4	453.86
Nolan Ryan	111.33	83.5	84.8	63.67	54.4	55.3	453
Bob Feller	97.33	75.4	66	79.67	68.6	61.3	448.3
Jim McCormick	111.33	48.1	64.7	111.33	46.3	63.2	444.96
John Smoltz	96.33	106.2	63.9	61.67	69	45.5	442.6
Amos Rusie	97.67	61.3	60.6	97.67	61.3	60.6	439.14
Curt Schilling	84	89.6	69.7	63.67	70.9	55.9	433.77
Hal Newhouser	88	81.4	56.3	78	72.7	52.6	429
Ted Lyons	104	85.5	58.8	70	63.1	46.4	427.8
Mickey Welch	118	36.2	56.5	113	38.9	62.6	425.2
Don Drysdale	86	75.2	65.7	73.67	65.5	58.2	424.27
Jim Palmer	104	61.2	63.5	84	53.4	57.4	423.5
Juan Marichal	87.67	68.4	64	76.33	64.1	59.7	420.2
Ed Walsh	88.33	65.8	54.8	86.33	66	55.2	416.46
Jim Bunning	85.67	70.8	60.1	73.67	65.7	58.5	414.44
Rick Reuschel	80	88.6	66.3	60.33	66.9	52.1	414.23
Kevin Brown	80.67	79.6	64.8	64.67	68	55.1	412.84
Dennis Eckersley	100.33	91.1	58.7	61	56.5	43.9	411.53
Early Wynn	103	79.9	52	72.33	59.2	44.5	410.93
Red Ruffing	107.33	78.6	53.6	70.67	55	43	408.2
Dazzy Vance	80.33	72.3	56.4	72.67	68.2	53.7	403.6
Vic Willis	97.67	55.6	57.2	85.67	51.8	55.6	403.54
Don Sutton	106.33	69.9	70.8	62	43.8	45.7	398.53
Stan Coveleski	81.67	67.6	54	77	64.8	52.9	397.97
Charlie Buffinton	94.33	45.6	56.1	93.67	47.3	58.4	395.4
Eppa Rixey	105	71.7	51.2	72.33	51.2	42.3	393.73
Mariano Rivera	75.67	94.4	49.9	58.33	71.9	40.2	390.4
Joe McGinnity	89.67	51.7	53.7	89.67	51.7	53	389.44
Mordecai Brown	98.67	49.2	56.1	88	44	51.6	387.57
Clark Griffith	91	61.1	49	79.67	56.6	47.4	384.77
Red Faber	97.33	67.8	55.2	68.67	50.8	42.8	382.6
Tommy John	96.33	76.7	59	55.33	51.1	41	379.46
Luis Tiant	85.33	64.3	60.1	66	52.6	50.8	379.13
Burleigh Grimes	95.33	68	37.2	77	58.4	40.2	376.13
Jack Quinn	95.67	71.5	49.7	65	49.5	39.2	370.57
Rube Waddell	80	56.6	50.2	77	55.5	49.6	368.9
David Cone	68.33	72.7	57.5	57.67	60.1	51	367.3
Larry Jackson	75	64.4	55.6	62	56.1	51.1	364.2
Whitey Ford	87	61.5	55.3	67.33	48.7	44.2	364.03
Billy Pierce	82.67	62.4	53.5	64.33	51.8	47.3	362
Jack Powell	95.67	59.4	44.5	75.67	46.9	38	360.14
Frank Tanana	80.33	71.3	55.1	54.67	52.4	46.3	360.1
Jerry Koosman	80	60.7	58.8	60.33	48.5	48	356.33
Wilbur Cooper	88.67	50.5	43.7	79.67	49.7	42.9	355.14
Bob Lemon	77.33	60	42.4	74.33	58.6	41.9	354.56
Eddie Cicotte	82.33	55.1	49.7	70.33	50	45.8	353.26
Silver King	87.67	33.7	53.8	87.67	34.5	55.4	352.74
Tommy Bridges	75	63.8	50.7	63	53.9	44.7	351.1
Bret Saberhagen	64.33	69.1	54.7	55	59.5	48.1	350.73
Orel Hershiser	70	68	51.5	57	58	44.7	349.2
Gus Weyhing	86	40.8	46.3	83	38.8	52.2	347.1
Dizzy Trout	76	62.6	43.6	66.33	57.5	39.4	345.43
Chuck Finley	71.33	65.8	55	54.67	51.3	46.7	344.8
Sandy Koufax	64.67	54.3	54.5	63.33	53.5	54.1	344.4
Urban Shocker	75	55.7	47	70	51.7	44.5	343.9
Dutch Leonard	77.67	69.8	45.6	57	55.8	37.6	343.47
Bob Friend	69	66.8	48.9	56.33	57	45	343.03
Bobo Newsom	79	58.2	45.9	63.67	50	44	340.77
Dave Steib	70	53.4	53	62.33	50.2	51	339.93
Waite Hoyt	87.33	58.4	47	63	44.9	38.9	339.53
Kevin Appier	63	60.1	50.4	55.33	57.9	50.3	337.03
Babe Adams	81	47.6	45.2	68.67	46.8	47.5	336.77
Mickey Lolich	74.67	54.8	45.6	63	51	45	334.07
Hoyt Wilhelm	85.33	70.4	41.3	56	48.2	29.6	330.83
Frank Viola	62.33	60.6	43.9	59.33	58.2	44.8	329.16
Dwight Gooden	62.33	65.4	47.6	52	57.6	43.6	328.53
Dennis Martinez	77.67	59.9	46.9	53	48.8	42.2	328.47
Kenny Rogers	68.33	69	46.7	49.33	53.5	40.5	327.36
Jamie Moyer	73.67	66.9	47.9	49.33	49.2	38.5	325.5
Wilbur Wood	63.33	57	45	58.67	55.4	45.2	324.6
Rich Gossage	74.33	62.1	40	57.67	51.5	37.2	322.8
Mark Langston	61.33	60.1	47.1	54.67	53.6	43.8	320.6
Herb Pennock	80	51.5	36.9	62.67	49.3	38	318.37
Dizzy Dean	60.33	56.9	39.6	60	56.9	40.5	314.23
Chief Bender	77	47.1	38.5	62	40.6	38.4	303.6
Lefty Gomez	61.67	43	43	60.67	44.2	44.3	296.84
Addie Joss	63.67	42.3	40.9	63.67	42.3	40.9	293.74
Jack Chesbro	69.67	40.4	33.2	69.67	42	36.8	291.74
Catfish Hunter	68.67	32.5	32.5	61.33	33.6	33.5	262.1
Jesse Haines	69	43.4	33.8	51.67	31.9	28.5	258.27
Bruce Sutter	56	48.8	25	54.33	47.4	25.9	257.43
Rube Marquard	69.33	33.3	28.5	60	33.2	32.7	257.03
Rollie Fingers	62.67	48.5	24.4	48.67	43.2	24.3	251.74

Barzilla’s Presentation Part I

Scott Barzilla’s Presentation Part I

at the 4^th Annual SABR Rogers Hornsby Chapter Winter Meeting, Jan. 23, 2010

at Texas State University-San Marcos

Catchers

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Johnny Bench	118.67	105.9	71.2	92.33	89.1	59.5	536.7
Gary Carter	112.33	98.9	66.2	87.67	85	58	508.1
Yogi Berra	125	90.1	61.6	92	70.1	49.2	488
Ivan Rodriguez	108.67	100.5	66.6	76	82.1	50.1	483.97
Carlton Fisk	122.67	93.4	67.5	80	62.2	47.5	473.27
Mike Piazza	109	77.4	59.1	90	69.1	51.9	456.5
Bill Dickey	104.67	88.5	54.3	78.33	67.9	44.2	437.9
Joe Torre	105	80.4	55.5	81.33	66.5	45.4	434.13
Gabby Hartnett	108.33	91.2	50.1	76.33	67.8	39.5	433.26
Mickey Cochrane	91.67	70.1	51.1	83.33	65.6	47.2	409
Ted Simmons	105	63.5	50.8	80	53.8	46.2	399.3
Buck Ewing	80.33	83.4	51.4	65.33	71.7	43.8	395.96
Jorge Posada	81.67	63.9	44.3	74.67	61	43.1	368.64
Gene Tenace	77	58.6	48.6	69	54.4	45.1	352.7
Bill Freehan	89	57.6	43.4	74.67	48.9	38.9	352.47
Lance Parrish	82.67	67.9	35.6	64.67	56.6	32.1	339.54
Thurman Munson	68.67	57.9	43.3	68	57.1	42.9	337.87
Jason Kendall	79.33	54.7	37.1	65.33	52.8	36.4	325.66
Roy Campanella	69	56.1	36.3	69	56.1	36.3	322.8
Roger Bresnahan	77	52.7	42.2	65.33	45.9	37.8	320.93
Wally Schang	81.67	57.4	43.7	57.33	40.2	33	313.3
Darrell Porter	74	53	40.7	60.33	46.6	35.9	310.53
Charlie Bennett	52.33	70.2	37.7	43.67	63.5	33.9	301.3
Ernie Lombardi	72.67	55.1	39	55.67	44.9	30.9	298.24
Ray Schalk	63.67	54.2	22.6	55.67	51.5	22.6	270.24
Rick Ferrell	68.66	45.8	22.9	50	35.4	20.1	*242.86*

First Basemen

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Lou Gehrig	163	113.7	118.3	128	92.6	96.4	712
Jimmie Foxx	145	94	94	108.33	74.1	76.1	591.53
Frank Thomas	135	105.3	75.9	100	83.1	60.2	559.5
Jeff Bagwell	129	97.2	79.9	99.33	80.8	65.7	551.93
Cap Anson	127	115	99.2	76	66.2	59.3	542.7
Roger Connor	121	102	87.1	86.33	74.7	66.6	537.73
Dan Brouthers	118.33	92.8	83.7	89.33	75.5	67.5	527.16
Eddie Murray	145.67	96.4	66.7	91	69.2	51.8	520.77
Johnny Mize	112.67	80.2	70.1	98.67	72.6	64.4	498.64
Rafael Palmeiro	131.33	96.1	65.7	85.67	61.3	49.9	490
Willie McCovey	136	74	65.1	95	63.9	54.8	488.8
Mark McGwire	114	79.9	63.2	94.33	68.1	55.3	474.83
Dick Allen	114	70	61.1	101.33	65.4	58.5	470.33
Harmon Killebrew	123.67	70.9	61.2	93	58.5	51.2	458.47
Jim Thome	117.33	69	66.9	87.67	53.9	55	449.8
Keith Hernandez	110.33	69.1	61	86	62.1	53.7	442.23
Will Clark	110.33	74.4	57.4	89.67	61.9	47.3	441
John Olerud	100.33	80	56.6	79	63.9	49.2	429.03
Tony Perez	116.33	69.1	50.3	83	55.1	44.9	418.73
Fred McGriff	114	65.6	50.5	81	52.5	45.3	408.9
Hank Greenberg	89	58.9	56.9	87.33	58.3	56.2	406.63
Orlando Cepeda	103.33	65.1	46.6	83.67	57.4	42.6	398.7
Jason Giambi	103	51.2	52.7	89.67	48.7	50.7	395.97
Bill Terry	92.67	53.9	55.3	86.33	51.7	54.4	394.3
Jake Beckley	106	67.4	61.4	64.67	48.5	43.4	391.37
George Sisler	97.33	50.3	50.4	79.67	53.3	51.9	382.9
Frank Chance	79	47.7	49.4	71	42.9	45.1	335.1
Jim Bottomley	86	38.5	32.3	71.33	37.9	33.1	299.13
George Kelly	64.33	23.6	24.1	59.33	25.7	26.3	223.36

Second Basemen

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Eddie Collins	191.33	137.8	126.7	125.33	96.3	87.6	765.06
Rogers Hornsby	167.33	128.6	127.7	127	101.3	100.8	752.73
Joe Morgan	170.67	127.4	103.5	113.67	91.8	78.1	685.14
Nap Lajoie	165.33	125.9	104.1	111.33	93.1	75.4	675.16
Charlie Gehringer	127.67	84.7	80.9	97	69.7	67	526.97
Craig Biggio	142.67	90	65.9	98	67.8	52.4	516.77
Rod Carew	128	85.8	79.3	87	67	61.3	508.4
Frankie Frisch	122	83.3	74.7	85.33	65.3	60	490.63
Bobby Grich	109.67	92.4	67.6	84.33	79.1	55.9	489
Lou Whitaker	117	103.3	69.6	77.33	69.9	48.1	485.23
Roberto Alomar	123.67	81	63.6	92.67	69.9	53.1	483.94
Ryne Sandberg	115.33	75.8	61.8	93	68.8	53.9	468.63
Jeff Kent	113	80	59.4	83.33	61.4	47.1	444.23
Jackie Robinson	85.67	67.9	63	85.67	67.9	63	433.14
Billy Herman	99.33	77.8	55.5	81	66.5	46.4	426.53
Willie Randolph	104	70.7	60.4	73.67	56.4	45.8	410.97
Bid McPhee	101.67	77.7	57.8	67.33	53.5	46.2	404.2
Joe Gordon	80.67	67.4	54.9	77.67	65.8	53.6	400.04
Bobby Doerr	93.67	72.7	48	78	62.2	43.3	397.87
Nellie Fox	101.33	63.4	44.6	73.33	60.2	42.6	385.46
Tony Phillips	89.33	69.1	47.8	66.33	59.4	40.1	372.06
Cupid Childs	79.67	58.4	47.1	75.33	55.9	46.4	362.8
Tony Lazzeri	84	57.9	48.1	71.67	54.2	42.6	358.47
Chuck Knoblauch	78	57.4	41.1	73	57.8	41.8	349.1
Larry Doyle	96.33	41.7	47.3	80	37.7	40.5	343.53
Johnny Evers	89.33	46	48.3	75.33	42.5	39.4	340.86
Red Schoendienst	87.33	57.9	40.3	68	48	35.9	337.43
Bill Mazeroski	73	51.5	27	57.67	46.2	25.9	281.27

Third Basemen

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Mike Schmidt	155.67	122.7	108	122	92.5	81.9	682.77
Eddie Mathews	150	122.2	98.2	111	96	75.8	653.2
Wade Boggs	131.33	116.6	89	97	90.4	71.1	595.43
George Brett	144	112.4	84.9	98.67	82.6	67.7	590.27
Paul Molitor	138	108.8	74.9	90	75.1	54.2	541
Chipper Jones	123	72.4	76.7	83.67	59.6	60.9	476.27
Ron Santo	108	72.7	66.4	91.67	70.5	63.4	472.67
Edgar Martinez	101.67	88.2	67.2	81.67	72.4	58.1	469.24
Brooks Robinson	118.67	70.3	69.2	82.33	58.1	54.8	453.4
Frank Baker	100.33	69.6	63.7	93.33	65.6	60.3	452.86
Robin Ventura	91.33	96.6	55.1	77.76	80	46.7	447.49
Graig Nettles	107	80.2	61.3	74.67	59.2	49.9	432.27
Darrell Evans	121	62.1	57	84.33	53.1	51.9	429.43
Stan Hack	105.33	74.4	54.8	85.33	61.9	45.7	427.46
Jimmy Collins	91.33	68.7	52.9	80.67	64.7	49.5	407.8
Scott Rolen	91	74.7	62.2	81.33	63.5	53.3	426.03
Sal Bando	94.33	56.3	60.5	83.67	54.3	57.2	406.3
Ken Boyer	93	62	58.3	78.33	56.2	53.7	401.53
Bob Elliott	95.67	66.3	52.2	78.67	58.2	45.7	396.74
Buddy Bell	100.33	63.2	60.7	70	53.6	45.3	393.13
Heinie Groh	90.67	68.8	46.4	81	59.3	43.8	389.97
Ron Cey	93.33	55	51.8	74	51.7	46.2	372.03
Toby Harrah	95.67	54.7	47	75.67	52	42.5	367.54
Pie Traynor	91.33	63.9	37	76	56.1	38.1	362.43
John McGraw	69	54.5	49.1	66.67	53.6	48	340.87
George Kell	76.33	40.4	33.5	64	36.1	31.8	282.13

Shortstop

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Honus Wagner	218.33	158.7	134.7	140.67	104	92.6	849
Alex Rodriguez	140.67	101	99.1	109.67	81.6	82.1	614.14
Cal Ripken Jr.	142.33	113.5	89.8	92	76.1	67.5	581.23
Robin Yount	141	104.5	76.8	92.67	80.5	59.2	554.67
Arky Vaughan	118.67	100.3	75.6	102.67	87.7	66.7	551.64
George Davis	132.67	94.4	90.7	85	68.5	63.1	534.37
Barry Larkin	115.67	98.8	68.8	86	83	54.8	507.07
Luke Appling	126	86.7	68.9	91.67	68.4	56.1	497.77
Bill Dahlen	131.33	88.5	75.9	83.33	60.6	53	492.66
Monte Ward	136.33	73.7	64.5	102.67	60.3	49.3	486.8
Ozzie Smith	108.33	105.5	64.7	75.33	78.2	50.4	482.46
Alan Trammel	106	93.6	66.8	79.33	74	56	475.73
Joe Cronin	111	78.7	62.6	91.67	69.7	54	467.67
Ernie Banks	110.67	74.8	64.3	82.33	67.6	60	459.7
Derek Jeter	116	61.4	68.7	91	51	57.6	445.7
Lou Boudreau	92.33	82.6	55.9	85	75.9	53	444.73
Bobby Wallace	115	72.8	65.8	75.67	60.4	50.5	440.17
Pee Wee Reese	104.67	71.3	66.4	82	57.7	55.1	437.17
Jack Glasscock	87	74.1	58.1	67.67	60.4	47.8	395.07
Joe Sewell	92.33	62.7	48.1	77.67	55.8	42.7	379.3
Tony Fernandez	93.33	71.6	39.4	73	59.3	34.6	371.23
Luis Aparicio	97.67	57.4	49.8	64.33	49	39	357.2
Dave Bancroft	89.67	51.7	46.3	74	47	44.1	352.77
Vern Stephens	88.33	50.5	43.4	79.67	47.9	39.5	349.3
Hughie Jennings	71.33	56.5	47.9	68	55.7	48.4	347.83
Joe Tinker	86	51.8	49	70.33	45	41.4	343.53
Phil Rizzuto	77	53.2	41.6	72.67	50.5	40.8	335.77
Rabbit Maranville	100.67	49.6	38	69	41.8	34.3	333.37
Travis Jackson	70.33	47.3	43.3	63.67	49.1	43.5	317.2

Left Fielders

	WS	WARP3	WAR	PWS	PWARP3	PWAR	Total
Barry Bonds	234.67	192.6	171.4	142	119.6	106.6	966.87
Stan Musial	201.33	152.8	127.9	126	100.6	86.2	794.83
Ted Williams	185	128.2	125	131.33	97.2	93.4	760.13
Rickey Henderson	178.33	155.8	113.1	102.67	95	74.1	719
Pete Rose	182.33	106.4	75.4	102.33	73.7	58.5	598.66
Carl Yastrzemski	162.67	94.8	88.5	95.33	63	64.5	568.8
Ed Delahanty	118.33	84.7	74.6	97.67	77	70.9	523.2
Tim Rains	130	94.2	64.9	91.67	65.3	51.4	497.47
Fred Clarke	133.33	81.1	73.4	91.33	57.4	53.8	490.36
Jesse Burkett	129.67	73.3	63.8	94.33	60.9	52.8	474.8
Manny Ramirez	132.33	73.1	66.2	95	53.3	50.7	470.63
Al Simmons	125	71.4	63.5	95.33	59.2	55.5	469.93
Willie Stargell	123.33	82.2	57.5	87.67	66.4	47.8	464.9
Joe Jackson	98	60.1	62.9	96.67	56.4	61.6	435.67
Goose Goslin	118.33	61.8	62.9	87.67	52.9	51	434.6
Billy Williams	124.67	59.3	57.2	93	49.5	48	431.67
Sherry Magee	118	59.4	59.1	90.67	51.4	49	427.57
Joe Medwick	104	67	56	89	60	50.5	426.5
Zack Wheat	126.67	61.8	57.7	88	48	43.5	425.67
Jose Cruz	104.33	72.7	52.3	79.67	60.6	44.2	413.8
Jim O’Rourke	101.67	94.4	54	65.67	62.4	35.1	413.24
Jimmy Sheckard	113	63.9	51.7	85.67	55	42.6	411.87
Joe Kelley	101.67	59.9	55.4	80.67	56.6	49.8	404.04
Lou Brock	116	54.4	39.1	85.67	46.6	35.7	377.47
Albert Belle	81	61.9	37.1	79	62.1	37.6	358.7
Jim Rice	94	55.1	41.5	77.67	50.2	39.9	358.37
Ralph Kiner	80.67	47.9	45.8	80.67	47.9	45.8	348.74
Heinie Manush	95	31.1	43.9	78.67	31.9	39.3	319.87
Chick Hafey	62	31.8	29.4	58.67	32.2	30.2	244.27

Analyzing the 2010 Hall of Fame Vote

Bill Gilbert’s analysis of the 2010 Hall of Fame voting may be downloaded here: 2010 HOF Win Share Ratings

Bottom of the Ninth

Bottom of the Ninth

Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the

Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Michael Shapiro

A Baseball Book Review

Monte Cely

cely@swbell.net

(512) 310-9777

Bottom of the Ninth is the story of the ill-fated Continental League, and how its conception and ultimate demise led to Major League Baseball expansion in the early 1960s.

The main story-lines revolve around Branch Rickey and Casey Stengel, focusing mainly on a 1958 – 1960 timeline. Rickey is portrayed as the aging genius reaching for one more innovation with his proposed third major league. Stengel’s role is to represent baseball’s past and resistance to change. Supporting characters are Walter O’Malley (as the NL strongman), Del Webb (AL strongman), Bill Shea (Rickey’s “man in New York” for the Continental League), and expansion interests in Houston, Minneapolis, Denver, Toronto, and LA.

The book did a good job of bringing the planning, politics and intrigue of the Continental League back into the daylight. The machinations of the National and American Leagues to first block the Continentals, and then co-opt the new league by agreeing to expansion, are both intriguing and mind-bending. The profiles of baseball power brokers of this era are insightful (although the Stengel sub-plot seems off-point and superfluous; he seems to have had no involvement with the Continental League). The book also highlights the concurrent founding of the American Football League, and discusses how the AFL succeeded where the Continentals failed.

SABR members interested in 1950s-1960s baseball history and the “business of baseball” should enjoy this book.

Here are the key statistics:

Book: Bottom of the Ninth

Author: Michael Shapiro

Authors Credentials: Shapiro is a professor at the Columbia School of Journalism, has authored five previous books including The Last Good Season, and has had articles published in the New York Times and Sports Illustrated.

Published: 2009, Times Books, ISBN 978-0-8050-8247-0

Length: 303 pages

Price: Retail list – $26.00; Online: from $6.95 (used) + shipping.

Sixty Feet, Six Inches

Sixty Feet, Six Inches

A Hall of Fame Pitcher & a Hall of Fame Hitter

Talk about How the Game is Played

by Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson, with Lonnie Wheeler

Monte Cely

cely@swbell.net

(512) 310-9777

Sixty Feet, Six Inches is a conversation between Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson about their approaches to playing baseball, their recollections of their careers, and their thoughts on current baseball topics.

The two Hall of Famers are “in character” throughout the book. Jackson is articulate and self-centered; Gibson blunt and focused. On a particular topic, Jackson may speak for four paragraphs, Gibson for two sentences. Both still display their fierce competitiveness, while effectively relaying their insight about the game on the field.

The bulk of the book is devoted to in-game tactics surrounding the pitcher-hitter confrontation, and the authors’ approach to that battle. Other chapters are devoted to the authors’ relationships and thoughts on other players, umpires, and owners; the atmosphere around the ballpark and specifically during the World Series; the characteristics of good player “makeup”; and the changes that baseball has gone thru over the decades since the authors have retired from the field.

For those SABR members that like in depth discussion about game tactics, this book is for you. If extended discussion of the pitcher-hitter confrontation isn’t your cup of tea, Sixty Feet, Six Inches still has much to offer, especially if you’re a fan of either of the authors.

Here are the key statistics:

Book: Sixty Feet, Six Inches

Author: Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson, with Lonnie Wheeler

Authors Credentials: Gibson and Jackson need no introduction to SABR members. Wheeler is a veteran sportswriter who has collaborated on several baseball books, including I Had a Hammer with Hank Aaron.

Published: 2009, Doubleday, ISBN 978-0-385-52869-6

Length: 273 pages

Price: Retail list – $26.00; Online: from $15.00 (used) + shipping.

Rating the 2010 Hall of Fame Candidates Based on Win Shares

Bill Gilbert’s 2010 analysis of Hall of Fame Candidates based on win shares may be downloaded here.

Working at the Ballpark

Working at the Ballpark

The Fascinating Lives of Baseball People

by Tom Jones

A Baseball Book Review

Monte Cely

cely@swbell.net

(512) 310-9777

Working at the Ballpark, The Fascinating Lives of Baseball People is based on a series of interviews of fifty folks that work at major league ballparks. The author covers a broad range of baseball people, from GMs and team presidents, to players, coaches, clubhouse workers, vendors, media, and even a “ticket hustler.”

The interviewees were asked three questions: “What is your job?”, “”How did you get into this line of work?”, and “What does this job mean to you?” The book consists of a recollection of these conversations, in the subjects’ own words. Some of the personnel are familiar names to a baseball fan: Johnny Pesky, Sandy Alderson, Bob Watson, Leo Mazzone, Omar Vizquel, among others. Others are not familiar, but in most cases just as enlightening: umpire Fieldin Culbreth, “Bernie the Brewer” mascot Chris Hanson, Tampa official scorer Jim Ferguson, San Diego groundskeeper Luke Yoder, and many more.

The Astros and Rangers are well-represented by current and former employees Ron Jackson (Express hitting coach), Doug Mansolino (Astros coach), Phil Merkord (Rangers ball boy), Woody Williams (Astros pitcher), Arnie Murphy (the “Peanut Dude” vendor at MinuteMaid), and Bruce Wilson (Rangers scoreboard operator).

The broad range of personnel and their duties provides great insight into the many efforts that go on behind the scenes so that we can enjoy a major league baseball game. I was impressed by the long hours that many worked, as well as their dedication and attachment to the game.

For those SABR members interested in “the business of baseball”, I would highly recommend this book.

Here are the key statistics:

Book: Working at the Ballpark

Author: Tom Jones

Author Credentials: He has worked for thirty years as a legislative director in the administrations of the last five California governors. This is his first book.

Published: 2008, Skyhorse Publishing, ISBN 978-1-60239-226-7

Length: 361 pages

Price: Retail list – $17.95; Online: from $2.00 (used) + shipping.

Who Were the Most Productive Offensive Players in 2009?

By Bill Gilbert

Numerous methods have been devised to measure offensive performance. The most common are batting average, on-base percentage and slugging average. Since none of these averages provides a complete picture by itself, a more comprehensive measure of offensive performance is useful. Such a measure would include the following elements:

1. The ability to get on base.

2. The ability to hit with power.

3. The ability to add value through baserunning.

The first two elements are measured by on-base percentage and slugging average. A measure of offensive performance, which encompasses both as well as baserunning achievements, is Bases per Plate Appearance (BPA). This measure accounts for the net bases accumulated by a player per plate appearance. It is calculated as follows:

BPA = (TB + BB + HB + SB – CS – GIDP) / (AB + BB + HB + SF)

Where: BPA = Bases per Plate Appearance

TB = Total Bases

BB = Bases on Balls

HB = Hit by Pitch

SB = Stolen Bases

CS = Caught Stealing

GIDP = Grounded into Double Plays

AB = At Bats

SF = Sacrifice Flies

The numerator accounts for all of the bases accumulated by a player, reduced by the number of times he is caught stealing or erases another runner by grounding into a double play. The denominator accounts for the plate appearances when the player is trying to generate bases for himself. Sacrifice hits are not included as plate appearances, since they represent the successful execution of the batter’s attempts to advance another runner.

Major league BPA for the past fifteen years are shown below along with the number of players with BPA over .550 and .600:

Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

BPA .463 .471 .463 .463 .479 .481 .468 .457 .461 .468 .456 .470 .463 .458 .461

.550 37 41 34 41 50 50 46 39 42 33 34 46 34 41 42

.600 15 21 15 22 29 30 26 17 15 18 13 14 15 11 16

Offensive production peaked in 2000 before declining in the early years of this decade. BPA in 2009 was up slightly from 2008.

In the 1990s, there were 14 individual .700 BPA seasons. In the ten year period from 2000 to 2009, there have been 18. The highest BPA in the 1990s was recorded by Mark McGwire in 1998 (.799). Barry Bonds shattered that with .907 in 2001, the highest figure ever recorded, topping Babe Ruth’s best two years (1920 and 1921). Bonds followed that with .869 in 2002, .818 in 2003 and .882 in 2004. There were no hitters with a BPA of .700 in 2008 and 2009 and the only player to make it in 2007 was Alex Rodriguez (.702). Surprisingly, Albert Pujols has not had a .700 BPA in his nine seasons. However, he was the major league leader in 2009 by a large margin with a BPA of .696, the highest figure of his career, and the second time he has finished on top.

The .700 BPA seasons in 2000-2007 are listed below:

Player Team Year BPA

Barry Bonds San Francisco 2001 .907

Barry Bonds San Francisco 2004 .882

Barry Bonds San Francisco 2002 .869

Barry Bonds San Francisco 2003 .818

Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs 2001 .758

Barry Bonds San Francisco 2000 .745

Jim Thome Cleveland 2002 .728

Manny Ramirez Cleveland 2000 .726

Todd Helton Colorado 2000 .720

Luis Gonzalez Arizona 2001 .713

Todd Helton Colorado 2001 .709

Carlos Delgado Toronto 2000 .707

Larry Walker Colorado 2001 .707

Jason Giambi Oakland 2000 .706

Travis Hafner Cleveland 2006 .703

Alex Rodriguez NY Yankees 2007 .702

Jason Giambi Oakland 2001 .700

Ryan Howard Philadelphia 2006 .700

The yearly leaders since 1992 are as follows:

1992 Bonds .734 1993 Bonds .740 1994 Bagwell .768

1995 Belle .692 1996 McGwire .765 1997 Walker .770

1998 McGwire .799 1999 McGwire .735 2000 Bonds .745

2001 Bonds .907 2002 Bonds .869 2003 Bonds .818

2004 Bonds .882 2005 D. Lee .699 2006 Hafner .703

2007 A. Rodriguez .702 2008 Pujols .685 2009 Pujols .696

The benchmark for an outstanding individual season is .600. Following is a list of 16 players with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title and with a BPA of .600 in 2009.

Bases per Plate Appearance (BPA) of .600+ in 2009

————————————————-

No. of

2009 2008 .600+

Player BPA BPA LG Seasons Comments

1 Pujols, A. .696 .685 N 7 Clearly the top offensive player.

2 Fielder, P. .640 .552 N 2 Only Pujols had a better year.

3 Mauer, J. .619 .484 A 1 Career year so far.

4 Zobrist, B. .617 .555 A 1 Exceptionally versatile player.

5 Votto, J. .616 .547 N 1 Getting better every year.

6 Lee, D. .611 .484 N 2 Bright spot for the Cubs.

7 Utley, C. .611 .593 N 2 Top offensive second baseman.

8 Howard, R. .610 .577 N 3 Pure power.

9 Bay, J. .610 .581 A 1 Best offensive outfielder in AL.

10 Youkilis, K. .609 .591 A 1 Consistently productive.

11 Reynolds, M. .607 .511 N 1 Big home run bat.

12 Rodriguez, A. .604 .623 A 11 Good recovery after slow start.

13 Ramirez, H. .604 .629 N 3 Has emerged as a top player.

14 Pena, C. .604 .567 A 2 Good power but poor contact.

15 Braun, R. .603 .578 N 1 Provides strong 1-2 punch with Fielder. 16 Teixeira, M. .603 .593 A 4 Hasn’t had a bad year yet.

The only repeaters from last year’s list are Pujols, Alex Rodriguez and Hanley Ramirez. Eight other players had a BPA over .600 in 2008 but fell short in 2009. Most of these players had strong seasons in 2009 but not up to their exceptional performance in 2008.

No. of

2009 2008 .600+

Player BPA BPA LG Seasons Comments

1 Ramirez, M. .596 .636 N 11 Wasn’t the same after suspension.

2 Berkman, L. .573 .633 N 5 An off-year.

3 Jones, C. .505 .625 N 4 Worst year of career.

4 Holliday, M. .560 .624 A/N 2 Came on strong after trade.

5 Bradley, M. .507 .617 N 1 Major disappointment.

6 Ludwick, R. .485 .615 N 1 2008 looks like career year.

7 Quentin, C. .496 .612 A 1 Injury riddled season.

8 Sizemore, G. .517 .611 A 2 Injuries took toll.

Five players who had a BPA over .600 and qualified for the batting title in 2009 also have a career BPA over .600. These are the top offensive players in the major leagues who are currently performing at a peak level.

2009 Career

Player Age BPA BPA Comments.

———— — —- —- ——–

Albert Pujols 29 .696 .651 Consistently great.

Alex Rodriguez 33 .604 .627 Led majors in homers 2000-09.

Ryan Howard 29 .610 .624 198 homers in last 4 years.

Hanley Ramirez 25 .604 .608 Building solid credentials.

Another list of interest is one containing the names of players with a BPA of over .600 in 2009 who did not have enough plate appearances (PA) to qualify for the batting title. Three veteran minor leaguers with a minimum of 100 PA made the list in 2009 with strong performances after promotion to the majors.

Player Age BPA PA Comments

————— — —- — —————————

Randy Ruiz 31 .623 130 Too old to be a prospect

Garrett Jones 28 .617 358 Another late bloomer.

Andres Torres 31 .609 170 Not consistent with prior performance.

Looking at the other end of the spectrum, nine players who earned enough playing time to qualify for the batting title had a BPA less than .400 in 2009. As usual most are middle infielders and catchers.

Player BPA Comments

—————– —- ——————————

Russell Martin .398 Disappointing season.

Orlando Cabrera .396 Sub-par season.

Jhonny Peralta .390 Power disappeared.

Cristian Guzman .390 Career BPA of .411.

David Eckstein .378 Lowest year ever.

Jason Kendall .375 Fifth straight year under .400.

Emilio Bonafacio .369 Career BPA of .373.

Edgar Renteria .354 Worst year of career.

Yuniesky Betancourt .340 Career BPA of .384.

The following five players compiled a batting average over .300, an on-base average over .400, a slugging percentage over .500 and bases per plate appearance over .600 in 2009:

Player (2009) BAVG OBA SLG BPA OPS

Albert Pujols .327 .443 .658 .696 1.101

Joe Mauer .365 .444 .587 .619 1.031

Joey Votto .322 .414 .567 .616 .981

Kevin Youkilis .305 .413 .548 .609 .961

Hanley Ramirez .342 .410 .543 .604 .954

Three active players have these numbers for their careers, although Helton and Manny Ramirez fell short in 2008:

Player (Career) BAVG OBA SLG BPA OPS

Albert Pujols .334 .427 .628 .651 1.055

Manny Ramirez .313 .411 .591 .621 1.002

Todd Helton .328 .427 .567 .608 .994

Bill Gilbert

11/20/09

bpa2009.doc

Triple Milestones – 2009

Triple Milestones – 2009

By Bill Gilbert

Offensive production in the major leagues in 2009 was down slightly in 2009. The number of runs per game has declined each year from 9.72 in 2006 to 9.22 in 2009. The home run rate of 2.02 was essentially unchanged from the 2.01 rate in 2008. The league batting average of .262 was the lowest since 2002. All offensive categories are significantly below the peak year of 2000 as illustrated in the following table:

Year Runs/Game HR/Game BAVG OBA SLG OPS Triple Milestone Hitters

—- ——— ——- —- —- —- — ————————

1990 8.51 1.58 .258 .324 .386 .710 2

1991 8.62 1.61 .255 .323 .384 .707 3

1992 8.23 1.44 .256 .322 .377 .699 2

1993 9.20 1.78 .266 .332 .404 .736 5

1994 9.85 2.07 .270 .339 .424 .763 3

1995 9.69 2.02 .267 .338 .417 .755 8

1996 10.07 2.19 .270 .340 .427 .767 21

1997 9.53 2.05 .267 .337 .419 .756 7

1998 9.58 2.08 .266 .335 .420 .755 14

1999 10.17 2.28 .271 .345 .434 .779 19

2000 10.28 2.34 .271 .345 .437 .782 26

2001 9.55 2.25 .264 .332 .427 .759 21

2002 9.24 2.09 .261 .331 .417 .748 12

2003 9.46 2.14 .264 .332 .422 .754 8

2004 9.63 2.25 .266 .335 .428 .763 12

2005 9.18 2.06 .265 .330 .419 .749 10

2006 9.72 2.22 .269 .336 .432 .768 13

2007 9.59 2.04 .268 .336 .423 .759 8

2008 9.30 2.01 .264 .333 .417 .750 7

2009 9.22 2.02 .262 .333 .418 .751 6

No players hit 50 home runs again in 2009. Five players hit 40 or more home runs in 2009 compared to only two in 2008. All of the players with 40 home runs were in the National League. The last American League player to hit 40 home runs was Alex Rodriguez (54) in 2007. The 30 home run level was reached by 30 players in 2009 compared to 28 in 2008.

A useful indicator for tracking offense is the number of players who hit for both power and average by achieving a .300 batting average, 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in. A record 26 players reached all three milestones in 2000, but that figure has dropped significantly in recent years. Only six players reached all three milestones in 2009, down from 7 in 2008. 8 in 2007 and 13 in 2006. Albert Pujols was the only player who made it in both 2008 and 2009.

Three players from each league achieved all three milestones in 2009. Pujols became the only player to do it in his first 9 seasons. There were three newcomers to the .300-30-100 club in 2009, Ryan Braun, Kendry Morales and Adam Lind, all born in 1983, bringing the total to 164 players who have registered at least one .300-30-100 season starting with Babe Ruth in 1920.

Following is a listing of players who achieved triple milestones

in 2009:

Player Times BAVG-HR-RBI Comments

National

Albert Pujols 9 .327-47-135 One of the all-time greats.

Derrek Lee 2 .306-35-111 One of few bright spots for Cubs.

Ryan Braun 1 .320-32-114 Came close in two previous years.

Player Times BAVG-HR-RBI Comments

American

Miguel Cabrera 3 .323-33-101 Consistent production every year.

Kendry Morales 1 .306-34-108 Big-time breakout season.

Adam Lind 1 .305-35-114 Came out of nowhere.

Six players achieved triple milestones in 2008 but fell short in 2009:

Player Times BAVG-HR-RBI BAVG-HR-RBI

In Past 2008 2009 Comments

Manny Ramirez 10 .332-37-121 .290-19- 63 50 game suspension hurt.

Alex Rodriguez 8 .302-35-103 .286-30-100 Late start after surgery

Mark Teixeira 3 .308-33-121 .292-39-122 Good recovery after slow start.

Aubrey Huff 2 .304-32-108 .241-15- 85 Not even close.

David Wright 2 .302-33-124 .307-10- 72 Power down in new park.

Josh Hamilton 1 .304-32-130 .268-10- 54 Too many injuries.

The biggest obstacle in reaching triple milestones in 2009 was batting average. Thirteen players had 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in 2009 but fell short of a .300 batting average.

Prince Fielder .299-46-141 Only Pujols had a better year.

Mark Teixeira .292-39-122 Led AL in HR and RBIs.

Ryan Zimmerman .292-33-106 Bright future ahead.

Aaron Hill .286-36-108 Surprising power this year.

Alex Rodriguez .286-30-100 Two HR and 7 RBIs in last game.

Evan Longoria .281-33-113 Still getting better.

Ryan Howard .279-45-141 Four straight years with 40+ HR.

Justin Morneau .274-30-100 Injury cut season short.

Andre Ethier .272-31-106 Power up: average down.

Jason Bay .267-36-119 Best hitting outfielder in AL.

Adam Dunn .267-38-105 Hit 40+ HR in each of last 5 years.

Mark Reynolds .260-44-102 Too many strikeouts to hit for average.

Carlos Pena .227-39-100 Tied for AL lead in HR.

Jason Kubel (.300-28-103) and Carlos Lee (.300-26-102) had the batting average and RBIs but fell short on home runs. Joe Mauer batted .365 but fell short on home runs (28) and RBIs (96). However, he had a more impressive accomplishment by leading the American League in batting average, on-base percentage (.444) and slugging average (.587).

A growing list contains the names of players, active in 2009, who have had multiple .300-30-100 seasons in the past but have not done it in the last three years. Many have been limited by injuries. Some are still very productive players but not at the same level they were in their peak years. Since this list was started in 2004, not one player has come back with another .300-30-100 season.

Last

.300-30-100 .300-30-100

Player Seasons Season 2009 Comments

Vladimir Guerrero 8 2006 .295-15- 50 Had 13 straight .300 seasons.

Gary Sheffield 6 2003 .276-10- 43 Now a part-time player.

Todd Helton 5 2003 .325-15- 86 Strong comeback in 2009.

Chipper Jones 5 2001 .264-18- 71 Hit .364 in 2008.

Jason Giambi 4 2002 .201-13- 51 Close to Mendoza line.

Magglio Ordonez 4 2002 .310- 9- 50 Has lost power.

Ken Griffey, Jr. 3 1997 .214-19- 57 Winding down HOF career.

Carlos Delgado 3 2005 .298- 4- 23 Missed most of season.

Lance Berkman 3 2006 .274-25- 80 May be in decline.

Brian Giles 2 2000 .191- 2- 23 End of the line.

Jim Thome 2 2002 .249-23- 77 Strikes out, walks or homers.

Aramis Ramirez 2 2004 .317-15- 65 Season wrecked by injuries.

Miguel Tejada 2 2004 .313-14- 86 Still hits but not with power.

Jermaine Dye 2 2006 .250-27- 81 Slowing down.

Travis Hafner 2 2006 .272-16- 49 Can’t regain power.

Vernon Wells 2 2006 .260-15- 66 Major disappointment.

In his 1988 Baseball Abstract, Bill James referred to triple

milestone seasons as "Hall of Fame Seasons". This was because all of the

eligible players with 5 or more triple milestone seasons had been

elected to the Hall of Fame. This correlation has continued to hold but is likely to break down when Juan Gonzalez becomes eligible in 2011.

No teams had two players with triple milestones in 2009. Twenty eight of the thirty major league teams have had at least one triple milestone hitter in the decade beginning with the year 2000. Of the two teams that haven’t, Cincinnati has the longest dry spell. Their last triple milestone hitter was George Foster in 1977. Kansas City has not had a triple milestone hitter since Danny Tartabull in 1991.

Only one minor league player recorded triple milestone seasons in 2009.

Player Team (Level) Organization Age BAVG-HR-RBI

Randy Ruiz Las Vegas (AAA) Toronto 31 .320-25-106

Toronto (AL) .313-10- 17

.319-35-123

Three others came close:

Chris Carter Midland (AA) Oakland 22 .337-24-101

Sacramento (AAA) .259- 4- 14

.329-28-115

Garrett Jones Indianapolis (AAA) Pittsburgh 28 .307-12- 50

Pittsburgh (NL) .293-21- 44

.299-33- 94

Mitch Jones Albuquerque (AAA) Los Angeles 31 .297-35-103

Los Angeles (NL) .308- 0- 0

.298-35-103

No college players achieved triple milestones in 2009

Pitchers also strive for triple milestones – 20 wins, 200 strikeouts and an ERA under 3.00. Esteban Loaiza was the only pitcher to do it in 2003 (21-9, 207, 2.90). Johan Santana (20-6, 265, 2.61) did it in 2004 and Chris Carpenter (21-5, 213, 2.83) was the only one to do it in 2005. After no pitchers made it in 2006 and 2007, Roy Halladay of Toronto broke through in 2008 with a triple milestone season (20-11, 206, 2.78). No pitchers made it in 2009 but if the Cardinals had not blown a 6-0 lead in Adam Wainwright’s last start he would have made it (19-8, 212, 2.63).

TRIP2009.DOC

11/4/09