Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
February 05, 2006
Gammons Thanks Bloggers

I can't read it because I don't have ESPN Insider, but Peter Gammons gives a big boost to the baseball blogosphere today. Dan Fox quotes from the article at Dan Agonistes.

Thanks, Peter!


Posted by David Pinto at 11:27 AM | Blogs | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I read this last night when I got home and it was shockingly refreshing to read. You're the man Dave you along with others have been a great inspiration for me as well.

I'm pasting a part of Peter's column below, hopefully the ESPN-ites won't come afer me!

- Derek

Write ways to look at the game

The forum that the Internet has provided for statistics and statistical analysis is one of the biggest changes in the way we follow baseball in this century. Granted, there are what one friend calls "stat Nazis who believe there is no human element." Granted, statistics are ways to lead us all to predictable truths. But what "Bill James Baseball Abstract" and the Hirdt Brothers' "Elias Baseball Analyst" opened our eyes to nearly 20 years ago have become daily necessities.

There cannot be a better, more thoughtful Internet journal than "Baseball Prospectus," which has the invaluable and unique resource of Will Carroll's "Under the Knife," bookmarked by every front office and media member. "Hardball Times" is daily must-reading, as well as "Baseball Analysts" and the "Baseball Think Factory." Now there are countless blogs, none better than David Pinto's "Baseball Musings," which also provide several significant tools.

Look, it may kill the scout in the field to hear that one can learn a lot from statistical analysis annuals geared to Rotisserie heads, but it's certainly true, starting with the annuals published by "Baseball Prospectus" and "Hardball Times."

But take, for instance, Ron Shandler's "Baseball Forecaster." Shandler makes no bones about the fact that he gears his book to Rotisserie players. But as one pours through all the statistical data, there are fascinating statistical prognostication tools, from measures of a pitcher's dominance and command, to percentages of balls hit on the ground, in the air and on a line. Or measures of a hitter's ability to make contact.

Meanwhile, there are several other gems that remind some of us what we thought we already knew.

• Kevin Youkilis' second-half OPS -- .973
• Alfonso Soriano away from The Bandbox at Arlington -- .224, .374 slugging
• Jhonny Peralta's second half OPS -- .917
• Carlos Pena's first/second half OPS -- .682/.898
• Wily Mo Pena's first/second half OPS -- .903/.719
• Junior Griffey's second half -- 21 HR, 1.082 OPS
• Rafael Furcal's first/second half OPS -- .402/.891
• Jeff Francoeur's OPS by month -- 1.326, .878, .739, .222
• Geoff Jenkins' second-half OPS -- 1.024
• Miguel Tejada's OPS before and after Palmeiro's suspension -- .934/.704
• Javier Valentin's first/second half OPS -- .715/.965
• John Patterson, off years of arm injuries, threw 100-plus pitches in 16 of his last 18 starts.

To Joe Sheehan, Lee Sinins, David Pinto, Ron Shandler, Rob Neyer, all those tireless bloggers, thanks. You make my job far easier, and far more interesting. And changed the way we look at the game.

Posted by: Derek Hixon at February 5, 2006 11:50 AM

Ok Dave now all you need is a baseball annual. Traffic should be congested here for a few days. March is right around the corner, may be timefor another "drive" this year.

Posted by: Ed Zipper at February 5, 2006 12:41 PM

Congratulations, David. Well-deserved, as always.

Posted by: David Dean at February 5, 2006 03:26 PM

The funny part of the article to me was this line..."The Reds have explored trying to find a more appropriate ballpark for Eric Milton."

I think Louisville Slugger Field might fit the bill...

Posted by: Ethan at February 5, 2006 05:40 PM

I'm surprised that you, David, don't subscribe to ESPN.com's Insider given that you used to work for them. You must really be uninterested in their web content now.

I don't subscribe either, by the way.

Posted by: Michael at February 6, 2006 02:42 PM

Michael,

I'm very interested in their content. I just don't want to pay for it. Their site was great when all that was free.

Posted by: David Pinto at February 6, 2006 02:57 PM

Michael -

Just found your site due to the Gammons column. Looks awesome - and I'm sure I'll be back.

One small suggestion for your readers - grab a cheap subscription to ESPN the mag - I know useless - for $3.59 at budgetmags.com. With the sub - you get a year free of Insider. Just go to buy Insider on ESPN's site, and on the right there is link for the free sub. Just make sure to cancel before the year is up, or they'll hit you for 30 bucks.

Posted by: Matt Cleveland at February 6, 2006 05:17 PM
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