tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932285159851204335.post4770411907183707582..comments2024-03-29T00:20:29.561-04:00Comments on IT IS HIGH! IT IS FAR! IT IS... caught.: A Sad StoryStanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17758839786688249648noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932285159851204335.post-16257745863992671322014-04-26T03:34:41.030-04:002014-04-26T03:34:41.030-04:00There are different kinds of idiots: modest, feckl...There are different kinds of idiots: modest, feckless idiots and brazen, stubborn idiots. John M. is clearly of the latter variety in his thuggish ad hominem attacks on reason and fact--this time as regards the myths of protection and clutch hitters.<br /><br />John M. cites David Ortiz as an example of a "clutch" hitter. Here is his overall lifetime slash line:<br /><br />.286/333/449<br /><br />Here's his lifetime slash line in late and close situations:<br /><br />.259/.373/.499<br /><br />That's a lower batting average but a slight uptick in on-base and slugging--but overall, not a dramatic difference.<br /><br />Look up the same numbers for any and all clutch situations for anyone you want: Mantle, DiMaggio, Williams, Mays, Jeter, etc.--you will see the same pattern: the lifetime clutch-situation numbers do not diverge markedly from the overall lifetime numbers.<br /><br />These are all traditional stats--so I wonder what John M. makes of the fact that these kinds of numbers show no difference in offensive performance in clutch situations for nearly all hitters--even those players reputed to be clutch--and show no consistent difference with and without "protection."<br /><br />Nevertheless, John M. urges us to share his faith that there are clutch hitters and that lineup protection is real. Yet he has no more evidence for these claims than a belief in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. I guess we'll just have to take his word for it--or the word of one of his favored flathead daily sportswriters, his fellow enrollees in the Baseball Confederacy of Dunces.<br /><br />So here's your chance, John M.--show us any examples of clutch hitters or lineup protection over a large, meaningful sample size. If you can't, try some discreet silence. Your infantile whining is becoming a bit grating.Sandynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932285159851204335.post-17237358720970382432014-04-25T11:36:07.278-04:002014-04-25T11:36:07.278-04:00While writers feel the need to harp on Teix or tal...While writers feel the need to harp on Teix or talk about how Solarte will "return to earth", there is an article annointing Bradley best CF. I wonder what hole people have been living to not have heard of Trout.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932285159851204335.post-90378171324007772662014-04-25T09:00:06.611-04:002014-04-25T09:00:06.611-04:00I know from personal experience that those extra p...I know from personal experience that those extra pounds do not need an engraved invitation to return. They just sort of sneak back in there, and, well, if they somehow help CC stay afloat, he can have mine, too.Parson Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09312179928176617912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932285159851204335.post-21450557165051665462014-04-25T08:18:56.859-04:002014-04-25T08:18:56.859-04:00KD had a point earlier, and my wife said it last n...KD had a point earlier, and my wife said it last night: CC has put the weight back on. He's no longer Jenny Craiging. el duquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263977201552650862noreply@blogger.com