Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[johnk5150]

2 words. Starlin mutherfucking Castro.

[tin00can]

So of course, the Angels offense, which was totally sucking, teed off on Felix Hernandez and hit three HRs in one inning in Safeco. Bizarre. And while I thought the Angels' offense was bad, they have nothing on Seattle, whose offense is truly horrible.

[Funnelhead]

Seriously, Joe Maddon for President '12. I still feel the middle relief to be a problem, as I'd like to eventually see them shed some total pitches off the starters, but how can you really bitch. Price stayed in a bit too long last nite, A's loaded them and got a run, but the pen snuffed out that spark.

They aren't going anywhere. Saw an interesting piece that noted, in interleague play, The Sox play 3 of last years division winners. The Rays play none. If the Yanks would ever lose, the Rays could actually gain ground! Unreal!

[killeverything]

John Dewan's Stat Of The Week

A Couple of Alternatives to ERA

April 28, 2010

For years and years and years, and to this day, the standard stats to quote when talking about a player are home runs, RBI and batting average for hitters, and wins, losses and ERA for pitchers. Here are a couple of examples. From MLB.com's Player of the Month section where Carlos Lee was named NL Player of the Month last September, "Overall this season, Lee batted. 306 with 35 home runs and a career-high 111 RBIs." From today's Chicago Tribune, "With his victory Sunday, John Danks is 7-2 with a 1.73 earned-run average in 11 April starts."

More and more, however, we are starting to see usage of OPS (On-base plus Slugging). From ESPN.com today: "David Ortiz (.549 OPS this season) reportedly wants to play "2 or 3" more season in the big leagues." Hmm, not with that OPS. The trend toward using OPS is excellent. As we all know by now, OPS is a much better stat than batting average to understand a hitter's overall effectiveness, and all that's left is for fans and media to gain that frame of reference that we all know about batting average (.300 is good. 200 is horrible). For OPS, a corresponding frame of reference might be .900 is good, .600 is horrible. Looking at this, a quick rule of thumb might be "Divide by three". If you take a guy's OPS, divide it by three, and it looks like a good batting average, it's a good OPS.

Over on the pitching side, by comparison, ERA is a much better indicator of effectiveness for pitchers than batting average ever was for hitters. The need for an alternative hasn't been as great. Nevertheless, there are a couple of alternatives, favorites of mine, that I think are better that I'd like to share with you.

One is Opposing OPS. I find it very surprising how infrequently this is used. If it's a good stat for hitters, and there's no reason it shouldn't be a good stat for pitchers. Maybe people simply don't like the acronym that falls out of this one (OOPS). However, in terms of overall performance, it is a better indicator than ERA. Let's look at this year's top five ERA leaders and top five OOPS leaders

ERA Leaders
Pitcher ERA OOPS
Mike Pelfrey 0.69 0.565
Ubaldo Jimenez 0.79 0.510
Livan Hernandez 0.87 0.518
Francisco Liriano 0.93 0.485
Brad Penny 0.94 0.565

OOPS Leaders
Pitcher ERA OOPS
Barry Zito 1.32 0.419
Adam Wainwright 1.69 0.466
Jonathan Sanchez 1.85 0.482
Francisco Liriano 0.93 0.485
Carlos Silva 1.73 0.487

ERA is subject to a lot of variables that make it a much more volatile statistic. When the starter leaves the game with men on base, his ERA is in the hands of the relief pitcher. Not so with OOPS. ERA is subject to random timing of when hits take place. If a pitcher happens to give up a bloop single with a couple of men in scoring position, that hurts his ERA big time while having a much smaller effect on his OOPS. In the long run and especially in the short run, OOPS is a much better indicator of pitcher effectiveness than ERA.

One other pitcher stat I'd like to point out is Pitcher Runs Created. This was invented by David Gassko over at the Hardball Times (www.hardballtimes.com) a couple of years ago. This is a stat meant to correspond with Bill James' Runs Created for hitters. Here are the Pitcher Runs Created leaders for the current season, and for 2009. I like this stat as well. In fact, Pitching Runs Created predicted both Cy Young Award winners in 2009, 2008, and 2007. Neither ERA nor OOPS got more than one right each year.

Pitching Runs Created leaders -- 2010
Pitcher ERA OOPS PRC
Roy Halladay 1.80 0.593 33.9
Ubaldo Jimenez 0.79 0.510 29.8
Adam Wainwright 1.69 0.466 27.0
Johan Santana 2.08 0.605 26.5
Ricky Romero 1.80 0.516 25.5

Pitching Runs Created leaders -- 2009
Pitcher ERA OOPS PRC
Zack Greinke 2.16 0.609 191.4
Felix Hernandez 2.49 0.603 157.5
Tim Lincecum 2.48 0.557 155.3
Roy Halladay 2.79 0.667 154.1
Adam Wainwright 2.63 0.643 143.5

[WOLF]

Dallas Braden throws the 19th perfect game in MLB history!

[dtmfs]

Guess Braden can talk now, he's done something significant, Bet A-rod's loving that.

And to be fair I think Braden was being an Douchebag in that second rant.
But he's got a long way to go to reach A-rods status of epic douchebag.

He only needs to refer to himself as pretty,
Get off on himself in front a mirror,
Slap the ball away from a First basemen like a girl,
Scream at a SS like a little leaguer
Lie about taking roids
get busted taking roids
try throwing someone else under the bus for taking roids.

He does all that, and We're having a conversation about who the biggest douche is of the 2.

[killeverything]

Dallas Braden throws the 19th perfect game in MLB history!

Son of a.......!

I just strolled across that on MLBN. What pisses me off is I woke up this morning, well I was woken up and decided to turn on some ball. I caught the first inning, then switched to another game. Fuck.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Dallas Braden throws the 19th perfect game in MLB history!

HAHAHAHAHA!! Well done, Braden. Fuck off, ARod.


I hate my bullpen. On to the friendly confines of Wrigley...dear Lemmy let the Fish win this series.

[killeverything]

Dallas Braden throws the 19th perfect game in MLB history!

HAHAHAHAHA!! Well done, Braden. Fuck off, ARod.


I hate my bullpen. On to the friendly confines of Wrigley...dear Lemmy let the Fish win this series.

I just picked up some funny news on Braden's perfect game.

Susan Slusser Dallas Braden’s grandmother is speaking to the press. She says, “Stick it, A-Rod.”

Even grandmother's hate ARod? You gotta be an awful human being to make a fucking grandmother hate you.

Jeff Passan Inside NY clubhouse dozen players cheered perfect game. M. Thames yelled 209

[dtmfs]

about a decade ago A-rod was one of my favorite players, then he just became a total Ass, as good as he is I still wouldn't want him on the Phils.

to his credit he said something like "Good for him, especially since it was against the Rays" when hearing about Bradens perfect game.

[killeverything]

I hate ESPN Baseball. Now I have to listen to Joe Morgan's retarded ass. He's fucking worse than Micheal Kay.

[JakeYonkel]

Christ, this is gonna extend this scrub's 15 minutes. Oy.

A-Rod certainly is exhibiting class towards this douche, though.

You know he's bad when everybody is against Braden. I seriously don't know a single person that thinks A-Rod is in the wrong here, even Mets and Red Sox fans agree.

But damn, it had to be this d-bag?

[killeverything]

Christ, this is gonna extend this scrub's 15 minutes. Oy.

A-Rod certainly is exhibiting class towards this douche, though.

You know he's bad when everybody is against Braden. I seriously don't know a single person that thinks A-Rod is in the wrong here, even Mets and Red Sox fans agree.

But damn, it had to be this d-bag?

Actually all that I've heard about it, both sides are being fucking stupid.

I laugh about Braden's "that's how we do it in the 702" comment. In CA they say an area code instead of a city a lot, but are you fucking kidding me?

Keep it real, peckerwood.

[JakeYonkel]

The only people that talk in area codes are white trash... it transcends geography because the rednecks here do it just as much as the douchebags from the ghetto in New Jersey did when I lived there.

[dtmfs]

they're both Douchebags, but A-rod happens to have the better career at both baseball and being a douchebag.

[killeverything]

they're both Douchebags, but A-rod happens to have the better career at both baseball and being a douchebag.

Well if they make roids for being a douchebag, and Braden takes them? I don't know......





*edit*

On Tuesday 7ET they're going to interview Rivera on ESPN. Hate the MFY all you want, that's Mariano. I think a large portion of baseball fans would love to hear what he has to say.

[Machado]

saw this on ESPN.COM
very funny line from A.J. after the perfect game;


But the best line came from A.J. Burnett, who after watching Braden hug a woman on the field after the game, muttered to no one in particular, "I love you, grandma. But don't you cross my mound.''

[JakeYonkel]

Hahahaha...

Ken Griffey Jr. could be released this month, reports Larry LaRue of The Tacoma News Tribune. The Mariners would prefer retirement, but at any rate, LaRue believes "the end is near" for Junior.

The link isn't working at the moment, but LaRue's story details Griffey's problems beyond his lack of offensive production. Apparently he is not proving valuable as a teammate either. For instance, LaRue says Griffey was unavailable to pinch-hit recently because he was asleep in the clubhouse during a game.

------

Good riddance. Fuck this guy.

[Machado]

Hahahaha...

Ken Griffey Jr. could be released this month, reports Larry LaRue of The Tacoma News Tribune. The Mariners would prefer retirement, but at any rate, LaRue believes "the end is near" for Junior.

The link isn't working at the moment, but LaRue's story details Griffey's problems beyond his lack of offensive production. Apparently he is not proving valuable as a teammate either. For instance, LaRue says Griffey was unavailable to pinch-hit recently because he was asleep in the clubhouse during a game.

------

Good riddance. Fuck this guy.

WOW-That is hard to believe.
Even still, Jr. should have retired years ago. His body has been failing him for years. Those injuries took a HUGE toll on his production at the plate.
He proved himself as a HOF in Seattle.
As a red he was nothing more than an avg ML outfielder.
Was sad to see him deteriorate.

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

Not Sleepless In Seattle?

[TawnyVonJagger]

FUCK GABY SANCHEZ!!!!

PLEASE hurry, Logan Morrison! Fucking Sanchez is KILLING me. Wooo Tommy Hutton is pissed too!

[killeverything]

Hahahaha...

Ken Griffey Jr. could be released this month, reports Larry LaRue of The Tacoma News Tribune. The Mariners would prefer retirement, but at any rate, LaRue believes "the end is near" for Junior.

The link isn't working at the moment, but LaRue's story details Griffey's problems beyond his lack of offensive production. Apparently he is not proving valuable as a teammate either. For instance, LaRue says Griffey was unavailable to pinch-hit recently because he was asleep in the clubhouse during a game.

------

Good riddance. Fuck this guy.

Wow that would blow my fucking mind if it happened. It was a feel good story. One last "hurrah" for Griffey and the fans. Memorabalia, tix, etc.

Seattle just fired their hitting coach and promoted their AAA Tacoma coach in his place. They have an upcoming DH dilema when Bradley returns, They're 10-10 when he starts and 2-9 without him.

Researching Jake's news led me to these two links ( one of which was the one that wasn't up for Jake ). Both aren't too happy with him right now. To put this in perspective for those in the dark. Griffey has the status in Seattle, that Ortiz does in Boston. It's funny they're both kinda in the same boat too. The comparison of their decline, wasn't my intention.

The Tacoma link that was down for Jake:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/05/1 ... iners.html

This one is from Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times. Breaking no new ground here, discussing Griffey just looking for fastballs ( which he ironically can't catch up to anymore ) at this point in his career.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/s ... ley19.html

Jack Z has stated Seattle is looking for a bat. This early from the trade deadline, they have some great pieces in Tacoma to make a trade. So we'll see.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Well, I feel a lil better, Marlins get the W, but Gaby needs fucking HELP with that glove.

~NICE double steal by Maybin and Cody Ross, with Cody stealing home. First home steal since 06!

~Ronny Paulino's bat continues to surprise and delight me.

~Holy shit our pen pitched well~@!!

~NOT a nice home debut for young Starlin Castro. Welcome back to earth, kiddo.

John, did you go, or are you going at all this series? Thoughts/opinions?

[killeverything]

Well, I feel a lil better, Marlins get the W, but Gaby needs fucking HELP with that glove.

~NICE double steal by Maybin and Cody Ross, with Cody stealing home. First home steal since 06!

~Ronny Paulino's bat continues to surprise and delight me.

~Holy shit our pen pitched well~@!!

~NOT a nice home debut for young Starlin Castro. Welcome back to earth, kiddo.

John, did you go, or are you going at all this series? Thoughts/opinions?

I just saw the ending. The bullpen getting it done. I thought "I wonder if Tawny's watching this?"

[TawnyVonJagger]

killer, if I'm not working, or I'm actually at the game, Ima watching. Unless it's really bad, then I gptta leave the room.

~*Programming note*~!

Mets vs. Marlins, Thursday night baseball, 7pm on MLBN. My ass will be in my seat at Joe Robbie!
WATCH! Santana vs. JJ!

[killeverything]

killer, if I'm not working, or I'm actually at the game, Ima watching. Unless it's really bad, then I gptta leave the room.

~*Programming note*~!

Mets vs. Marlins, Thursday night baseball, 7pm on MLBN. My ass will be in my seat at Joe Robbie!
WATCH! Santana vs. JJ!

He ain't the Minnesota Santana anymore, so it's not like you're facing Lincecum.

[SkyDog112046]

The scouting report on Ortiz is that his bat speed has slowed down to the point where he can't catch up on fastballs any more. So to compensate he is cheating on his swing by swinging early, leaving him vulnerable to breaking stuff. It certainly explains the amount of strikeouts and lack of production.

If this is the case then it is not going to get better. All pitchers have to do is throw fastballs inside so he can't catch them and then throw breaking stuff once he has 2 strikes and he will continue to flail away and look bad.

[Machado]

oakland a's hurler
dallas braden will be gracing
the next cover of SI.


here comes the jink;

rotator cuff

elbow strain

line drive off his grill

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

oakland a's hurler
dallas braden will be gracing
the next cover of SI.


here comes the jink;

rotator cuff

elbow strain

line drove off his grill

Drive by in tha 209

[JakeYonkel]

I keep seeing of that guy and thinking of Seth Green in Can't Hardly Wait.