The New Ballgame: Understanding Baseball Statistics for the Casual Fan by Glenn Guzzo Page B
Authors: Glenn Guzzo
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three games,
a timely graphic appears.
MOST STOLEN BASES / N.L. THIS SEASON
Hutton excuses what looks like stat-conscious selfishness by Pierre on
that last steal: "The Marlins have to manufacture runs, because over their
last 21 games, they've hit just six home runs, four by Carlos Delgado, two
by Miguel Cabrera." In fact, the Marlins' first run today was scored without
benefit of a hit in the inning and the second crossed the plate on a hit batter.
Sure enough, Cabrera grounds out and the Marlins have another zero
on the scoreboard.
Ninth inning:
Maddux dispatches the Marlins easily and it's noteworthy: "Maddux goes
nine.
Bottom of the ninth inning:
Is Maddux going to win this game? Not unless the Cubs rally. Willis pitched just
as well, and though he left in the eighth inning after throwing his 106th pitch, the
Marlins lead 2-1 and Willis will get the win if the score doesn't change.
If there's going to be a time when pure baseball will trump the parade
of statistics, it's now.
Not a chance.
A graphic shows the Marlins with a chance to improve their position
in the NL East standings and something more-all the teams in this division
have winning records.
"This is the latest date in NL history where an entire division was above
.500," Albert informs us. "It happened once in the American League."
Marlins closer Todd Jones has been wearing a Fox microphone while
in the bullpen, but now that he's in the game, the microphone wired to him is
silent. His stats speak for him:
Again, it's left for you to decipher. Despite the losing record (not uncommon for closers who inherit leads and therefore can seldom win their
games), Jones has otherwise impressive numbers.
Garciaparra strikes out, but Burnitz doubles off the glove of first baseman Conine, who has just moved there this inning for better game-preserving defense. When Neifi Perez hits a fly to left for the second out, Albert notes
that "Todd Jones has thrown seven pitches in the inning, for seven strikes."
The Cubs' last chance resides with the weak-hitting Corey Patterson
and the odds favor the Marlins. Patterson is 0-for-3 today, 1-for-5 lifetime
against Jones.
Hutton: "One of the things that got Corey Patterson sent to the minors
this year: 95 strikeouts, just 19 walks."
Now, hundreds of stats into this game, it's time for Albert to thank the
production crew and two men for "crunching the numbers for us today for
Jeff Charboneau here in the booth."
That is not a signoff on stats, however.
Time to remind us that "Todd Jones has 30 saves, 20 in a row including here at Wrigley yesterday" and that Willis allowed a run on six hits in 7'/3
innings.
Finally, Patterson's weak grounder to Conine at first base ends the game
and we get a double signoff, first orally:
"Dontrelle Willis has tied Carl Pavano... and Chris Carpenter for the
lead ..."
Then graphically-today's scoreboard, headlined:
Willis ']8th win, tied for most in NL this season
BASEBALL TONIGHT
At 10:30 on a Saturday night people all over America are sitting entranced in
front of movie screens, dodging flashing lights on dance floors, and savoring
their best meal of the week in restaurants. But on this Saturday night, just a
week before October Baseball, fans in hundreds of thousands of homes are
sitting entranced in front of their television sets, keeping pace with fast talk
and flashing graphics, and savoring the statistics feast known as Baseball
Tonight.
The ESPN show ostensibly is about all matters baseball, heavy on video highlights and rapid-fire banter between a host, a former ballplayer, and a
baseball journalist, showcasing today's games.
It's all a disguise. This is a show where tonight's talent-host Rece Davis, former big-league pitcher Jeff Brantley, and scribe-turned-talking-head
Tim Kurkjian-get their street cred with guys who hang around street corners
jazzing on statistics. Well, maybe guys whose date on a Saturday night is their
home
a timely graphic appears.
MOST STOLEN BASES / N.L. THIS SEASON
Hutton excuses what looks like stat-conscious selfishness by Pierre on
that last steal: "The Marlins have to manufacture runs, because over their
last 21 games, they've hit just six home runs, four by Carlos Delgado, two
by Miguel Cabrera." In fact, the Marlins' first run today was scored without
benefit of a hit in the inning and the second crossed the plate on a hit batter.
Sure enough, Cabrera grounds out and the Marlins have another zero
on the scoreboard.
Ninth inning:
Maddux dispatches the Marlins easily and it's noteworthy: "Maddux goes
nine.
Bottom of the ninth inning:
Is Maddux going to win this game? Not unless the Cubs rally. Willis pitched just
as well, and though he left in the eighth inning after throwing his 106th pitch, the
Marlins lead 2-1 and Willis will get the win if the score doesn't change.
If there's going to be a time when pure baseball will trump the parade
of statistics, it's now.
Not a chance.
A graphic shows the Marlins with a chance to improve their position
in the NL East standings and something more-all the teams in this division
have winning records.
"This is the latest date in NL history where an entire division was above
.500," Albert informs us. "It happened once in the American League."
Marlins closer Todd Jones has been wearing a Fox microphone while
in the bullpen, but now that he's in the game, the microphone wired to him is
silent. His stats speak for him:
Again, it's left for you to decipher. Despite the losing record (not uncommon for closers who inherit leads and therefore can seldom win their
games), Jones has otherwise impressive numbers.
Garciaparra strikes out, but Burnitz doubles off the glove of first baseman Conine, who has just moved there this inning for better game-preserving defense. When Neifi Perez hits a fly to left for the second out, Albert notes
that "Todd Jones has thrown seven pitches in the inning, for seven strikes."
The Cubs' last chance resides with the weak-hitting Corey Patterson
and the odds favor the Marlins. Patterson is 0-for-3 today, 1-for-5 lifetime
against Jones.
Hutton: "One of the things that got Corey Patterson sent to the minors
this year: 95 strikeouts, just 19 walks."
Now, hundreds of stats into this game, it's time for Albert to thank the
production crew and two men for "crunching the numbers for us today for
Jeff Charboneau here in the booth."
That is not a signoff on stats, however.
Time to remind us that "Todd Jones has 30 saves, 20 in a row including here at Wrigley yesterday" and that Willis allowed a run on six hits in 7'/3
innings.
Finally, Patterson's weak grounder to Conine at first base ends the game
and we get a double signoff, first orally:
"Dontrelle Willis has tied Carl Pavano... and Chris Carpenter for the
lead ..."
Then graphically-today's scoreboard, headlined:
Willis ']8th win, tied for most in NL this season
BASEBALL TONIGHT
At 10:30 on a Saturday night people all over America are sitting entranced in
front of movie screens, dodging flashing lights on dance floors, and savoring
their best meal of the week in restaurants. But on this Saturday night, just a
week before October Baseball, fans in hundreds of thousands of homes are
sitting entranced in front of their television sets, keeping pace with fast talk
and flashing graphics, and savoring the statistics feast known as Baseball
Tonight.
The ESPN show ostensibly is about all matters baseball, heavy on video highlights and rapid-fire banter between a host, a former ballplayer, and a
baseball journalist, showcasing today's games.
It's all a disguise. This is a show where tonight's talent-host Rece Davis, former big-league pitcher Jeff Brantley, and scribe-turned-talking-head
Tim Kurkjian-get their street cred with guys who hang around street corners
jazzing on statistics. Well, maybe guys whose date on a Saturday night is their
home
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