Remember there used to be a MLB statistic for GWRBI - Game Winning RBI's? The
one that gives your team a lead it never relinquishes. Because players could
get the GWRBI conceivably (and in reality) in the first inning @MLB junked it
after 1988 which was about 8 years too long. One of our 'Almost' guys Keith
Hernandez has been in no way helped by the stat that he has the all time record
for GWRBIs. Because and rightly so, it's a dumb stat!
Are pitcher starts as important as they used to be? How about appearances? Are
RBI's an overvalued statistic? How about Sacrifice Flies which have changed a
few times over the years. With better analytics and data baseball statistics
have become more complicated and difficult to understand. Do you know how to
calculate WAR (wins above replacement)? Or the difference between fWAR and
bWAR? Or FIP (fielding independent of pitching)? Few fans do or are
necessarily all that interested.
Fans still like some of the old fashioned stats - HRs, BA, RBI's, K's. We do
too but the modern game of baseball calls for modernized stats and progress will
not be halted in the ever present search for better players and better player
production.
This is our longest episode so far. We did not expect it but once we get to
talking it's hard to stop!
Correction: Hack Wilson had 191 RBI's in 1930. David Peterson (not Doug) is
the potential #5 starter for the Mets.
Thanks for listening and if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us
a line via email at Almostcooperstown@gmail.com. You can also follow us on
Twitter @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page.
Thu Mar 11 2021
