Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
December 29, 2008
Measuring Drama

Studes looks at the drama of games to show why we believe late season games are more important than early season games. His Washington Nationals graph shows great evidence why no one was watching in 2008.


Posted by David Pinto at 07:47 AM | Statistics | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Where this article loses me is where it claims that the Rays had one of the least dramatic seasons because their post-season berth was never much, with the wild card an option throughout.

I don't think there was ANYONE who wasn't thinking that there was a strong possibility (if not a likelihood) that the Rays would lose out to both the Yankees and Red Sox (or would lose and the WC would be in the Central) right through to the middle of August, at least. Especially around that pre-ASB slide.

The drama of the Rays winning mostly mirrored the drama in the Yankees losing, right through until August.

Posted by: Rich B. at December 29, 2008 10:19 AM

But that's because people didn't believe in the Rays. The drama index makes no claims about that sort of thing -- it assumes, on a day-to-day basis, that all teams will perform equally going forward.

Posted by: studes at December 29, 2008 10:50 AM

David,

As a Nats fan, I'll be the first to admit they are a struggling franchise. After Zimmerman's Opening Day homer last season, it did seem like there was no drama at the games.

I know you've said before that the best way for teams to silence criticism is to get better (or something to that effect) That is so very true, but when someone of your caliber of knowledge says what you said about the Nationals, it comes across as a cheap shot. Plus, there are other things about that article you could have said that would have been more insightful for your listeners.

By the way, what teams do you pull for and why, and what teams do you "hate" or dislike and why?

Thanks and keep up the great work. I read your blog at least twice a day.

Posted by: Jay at December 29, 2008 01:41 PM

Sorry, I meant "for your readers."

Hey, it's Monday...

Posted by: Jay at December 29, 2008 01:46 PM

Then your Drama Index is assuming out the primary reasons for so much of the Drama! The Yankees and Rays were the most dramatic teams this season precisely BECAUSE we assumed the Yankees had a 10-game win streak and the Rays a 10-game loss streak in them somewhere.

Posted by: Rich B. at December 29, 2008 03:13 PM

I'm a fan of the game, no team in particular, although I did grow up a Yankees fan. I tend to root for good organizations now.

Posted by: David PInto at December 29, 2008 03:28 PM

Well, that was a bad assumption, wasn't it?

Got a better idea for a name? I'm open to new ideas, as I said in the article.

Posted by: studes at December 29, 2008 04:34 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?