That's...interesting...I guess. But comparing JD's stats to 2018 players seems a lot more relevant.MLB Network had a graphic up yesterday (and its already outdated) Comparing Miguel Cabrera's Triple Crown run thru 109 games, and JD Martinez
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Ya, Cabrera won by one home run 11 RBI and 7 batting points. JDM is now up 4 and 12 but way behind in batting. He could very well lap the field in RBI, but they have a ton of tough games after these cupcakes.That's...interesting...I guess. But comparing JD's stats to 2018 players seems a lot more relevant.
And 3 of the top 5 guys in runs scored.I just learned: There are 18 players in all of baseball who have a .300+ average, and we have 3 of them, including (of course) the top 2. 10D is just barely above that mark.
139 games, .984 OPS, 359 total bases, and a 1.2 WAR (B-ref).EDIT: I missed Dante Bichette in 1995. Doesn't really lesson the achievement, but that name is hilarious.
1995. Also known as the year Vinny castilla launched his altitude-fueled rocketship to stardom.139 games, .984 OPS, 359 total bases, and a 1.2 WAR (B-ref).
I like his 1999 season better. 298/.354/.541 and a -2.3 WAR. He was "worth" almost -4 bWAR in the field that year. Hanley's disaster of a season was a -2.5.139 games, .984 OPS, 359 total bases, and a 1.2 WAR (B-ref).
For an OPS+ of 102. Crazy. That's back when Coors was Coors and everyone was juiced.I like his 1999 season better. 298/.354/.541 and a -2.3 WAR. He was "worth" almost -4 bWAR in the field that year. Hanley's disaster of a season was a -2.5.
Sports Illustrated has an article this week about JD and his approach to hitting. The coaching staff said that he is like a third coach out there when it comes to helping players with their swing; and it’s no coincidence that a lot of the Sox players have been hitting the ball better than they did last year when he wasn’t on the team.I guess now we know why JD held out so long for a contract this summer. We got a bargain. Wish we could take some of the Hanley/Rusney/Panda dead money and funnel it to JD to cancel his opt-out.
EDIT: And also, it seems during almost every game broadcast, there's a reference to how the Sox hitters (esp. Mookie) look up to JD and constantly ask him questions about his meticulous approach to hitting. I know this can't be quantified, but I suspect JD has had some influence on the offensive improvements of the other players as well.
1999 MLB home run leadersFor an OPS+ of 102. Crazy. That's back when Coors was Coors and everyone was juiced.
2 years chosen more or less at random: 1980 had 33, 2000 had 46. Yes, qualifiers only.I just learned: There are 18 players in all of baseball who have a .300+ average, and we have 3 of them, including (of course) the top 2. 10D is just barely above that mark.
Well, he's now within 17 points and alone in 2nd. You're right, he's probably not, but it's at least a possibility.He's probably not going to catch - what's his name? - for average.
In 2003 Bill Mueller sat the last game of the season (until a late game PH) and won the batting title. Manny needed to go 2-2 (or 3-4) to pass him* but also sat.If the Sox have a 6 game lead going into the final week of the season, and JD and Mookie are close, do we think there could exist a back room deal for Mookie to take a few '0-fers' in the final days?
Or, it could mean Mookie continues to hit reasonably well and JDM gets white-hot. We should want this.If he wins it, it probably means Mookie hit a bad slump. We shouldn’t want this.
Or, or, Mookie could get insanely hot, catch and overtake JD in HRs, and then Cora considers moving Mookie down in the order (in front of JD) in order to pad his RBI totals so he can win the triple crown himself. We should want this.Or, it could mean Mookie continues to hit reasonably well and JDM gets white-hot. We should want this.
When they are hitting .350 and .333 respectively, a slump could mean Betts hitting .320 the rest of the way while JD hits .360. They should both get around 160 more PA.If he wins it, it probably means Mookie hit a bad slump. We shouldn’t want this.
This is why I don’t play fantasy sports.If he wins it, it probably means Mookie hit a bad slump. We shouldn’t want this.
Yaz did this in 1967.I noticed this morning for the first time that JD is also leading the AL in hits. I instantly wondered if anyone had ever led the league in both hits and HRs.
I did a quick scan of the BR annual leaders pages, and unless I am mistaken the last person to do so was Rogers Fucking Hornsby in 19 fucking 22. Unbelievable.
EDIT: I missed Dante Bichette in 1995. Doesn't really lesson the achievement, but that name is hilarious.
And he led the league in triples, my all-time favorite random statAnd Rice did it in 1978.
I was curious how many of Cobb’s league leading 9 home runs in 1909 were ITPHR. According to Baseball Almanac: 9.Players who have led the league in HR & H in the same year:
- JD Martinez 2018
- Bichette 1995
- Jim Rice 1978
- Yaz 1967
- Tommy Holmes 1945
- Joe Medwick 1937
- Chuck Klein 1932 & 1933
- Gehrig 1931
- Hornsby 1922
- Gavvy Cravath 1913
- Heinie Zimmerman 1912
- Cobb 1909
- Nap Lajoie 1901
- Hugh Duffy 1894
- Jimmy Ryan 1888
- Hardy Richardson 1886
Parks aren't made for it anymore. We don't even really see triples anymore.I was curious how many of Cobb’s league leading 9 home runs in 1909 were ITPHR. According to Baseball Almanac: 9.
The overall season record for ITPHR is 12, set by Sam Crawford of Cincinnati in 1901, out of his league leading total of 16 that year. It’d be nice if we could have more of those. Very exciting play.
I always had a softspot for Castilla because of fantasy baseball reasons...my first year doing it was 1996, my lineup featured career years from Mo Vaughn, Robbie Alomar, Castilla, Mike Stanley, Bernard Gilkey, and even Kevin Elster at SS with 24 homers. Of course, my pitching staff was atrocious. my "ace" was Jimmy Key, and my number 2 ended up being Jamie Moyer plucked in like the 20th round (and he didn't rack up many points from K's). So kind of like the 96 Red Sox in general. (ok, i know, no one wants to hear about my fantasy team, especially one from 22 years ago).1995. Also known as the year Vinny castilla launched his altitude-fueled rocketship to stardom.
Seems to me that triples are up recently, from a low point (I'm guessing) around 2000.Parks aren't made for it anymore. We don't even really see triples anymore.
It's not that parks don't favor them anymore, triples are just difficult to pull off. It takes a combination of speed, placement, and often bounces for a player to advance that far without any defensive errors involved. There's a reason most people consider them the most exciting single play in baseball over the home run.Seems to me that triples are up recently, from a low point (I'm guessing) around 2000.
Edit: The low point was 1994 with 702 triples (Both leagues combined.)
Additional Edit: there were a few years in the 50's and 60's when less than 700 were hit.
And the triple isn't up as much as I thought, bouncing around year to year with an average around 850.
1983 was the last year there was over 1,000.
1921 was the all time high with 1,364.
How did you do in saves that year? Lol.I always had a softspot for Castilla because of fantasy baseball reasons...my first year doing it was 1996, my lineup featured career years from Mo Vaughn, Robbie Alomar, Castilla, Mike Stanley, Bernard Gilkey, and even Kevin Elster at SS with 24 homers. Of course, my pitching staff was atrocious. my "ace" was Jimmy Key, and my number 2 ended up being Jamie Moyer plucked in like the 20th round (and he didn't rack up many points from K's). So kind of like the 96 Red Sox in general. (ok, i know, no one wants to hear about my fantasy team, especially one from 22 years ago).
I think what I'm seeing from the numbers of triples by year, is that they're really not down much overall once you look at post WWII numbers, when most outfield dimensions became more 'normalized'.It's not that parks don't favor them anymore, triples are just difficult to pull off. It takes a combination of speed, placement, and often bounces for a player to advance that far without any defensive errors involved. There's a reason most people consider them the most exciting single play in baseball over the home run.
Why would Mookie do that?If the Sox have a 6 game lead going into the final week of the season, and JD and Mookie are close, do we think there could exist a back room deal for Mookie to take a few '0-fers' in the final days?
You can throw in:I'll settle for the team Septuple Crown where the Red Sox field the league leaders in HR, AVG, RBI, Runs, OBP, OPS, and SLG. Very possible if not probable.
I would love for some team to go bring back Braves Field-type dimensions (approximately 400-550-400). That would make for a lot of crazy extra base hits.The overall season record for ITPHR is 12, set by Sam Crawford of Cincinnati in 1901, out of his league leading total of 16 that year. It’d be nice if we could have more of those. Very exciting play.
Good luck getting any free agent hitters to sign there. Pitchers on the other hand might take a discount. Especially those looking for a pillow contract.I would love for some team to go bring back Braves Field-type dimensions (approximately 400-550-400). That would make for a lot of crazy extra base hits.
That might also lead to some new and interesting defensive alignments.I would love for some team to go bring back Braves Field-type dimensions (approximately 400-550-400). That would make for a lot of crazy extra base hits.
It's all about lost seat revenue. Tal's Hill was the best thing to come out of the new ballpark boom, and it's a crying shame they got rid of it.I would love for some team to go bring back Braves Field-type dimensions (approximately 400-550-400). That would make for a lot of crazy extra base hits.
I think the original post that sparked this discussion invoked an even more exciting play, the inside-the-park home run (though those are so rare that I can imagine many have never seen one live)It's not that parks don't favor them anymore, triples are just difficult to pull off. It takes a combination of speed, placement, and often bounces for a player to advance that far without any defensive errors involved. There's a reason most people consider them the most exciting single play in baseball over the home run.
I was at the game last month in Fenway where Mookie hit 2 triples in the first 3 innings. One of the cooler things I've seen at an MLB game.It's not that parks don't favor them anymore, triples are just difficult to pull off. It takes a combination of speed, placement, and often bounces for a player to advance that far without any defensive errors involved. There's a reason most people consider them the most exciting single play in baseball over the home run.