Volume IV Issue 4 Special Season Opening Issue!
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The Baseball Report Volume IV Issue 3
From The Editor,
Hey, unfortunately the website is temporarily down. It will be up soon, with
some new featues, somewhat of a new look, and possibly a new server. Staff
apologies to all of you who regularly check out the site for news, games, and
other things. People are currently working on the site to get it up and running
again.
In the mean time, I hope this issue keeps you entertained. In case you were
looking for some of the links on the page, they are intersperesed in this
report and you are all encouraged to click on them and check out some
interesting stuff. I personally recommend ubid, as I frequently use it.
Also of note, The Baseball Report is still looking for writers and publicists
so if you'd like to cover your favorite team, baseball in general, or anything
else, or do some publicity for TBR, drop me an email.
Similarly, if you'd like to advertise in TBR or on the website, email me as
well.
Finally, check out this issue! We've got another staff member's predictions for
all those of you who were unsatisfied with Issue 4's picks, as well as an
article on the art of comparing players of different eras, and even players of
the same time. Now, onto the issue...
Michael Frankel
Editor-in-Chief
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2000 Finishes by Terry Monroe
AL East
New York
Boston
Toronto
Baltimore
Tampa Bay
*Note: Look out for Boston here. The Yanks and Sox are the only legit
contenders in this division, and if NY slips at all, Boston could steal this
division.
AL Central
Cleveland
Chicago
Kansas city
Detroit
Minnesota
*Note: This hunt is canned. Cleveland will stroll to the division title, even
if they cannot address their glaring deficiency of left-handed relievers. No
other team in this division could contend unless the White Sox get a big year
from the Big Hurt, and tons of over achieving pitching.
AL West
Texas
Seattle
Oakland
Anaheim
*Note: Seattle will need to impress on the mound to contend here. Texas could
run away with it. Oakland played well last season, but they'll have to do it
again before I can take them too seriously. Should be a fun division to watch
since none of these teams is a real powerhouse.
NL East
Atlanta
New York
Philadelphia
Montreal
Florida
*Note: Atlanta will overcome John Rocker and their other key injuries (Chipper
Jones' elbow and John Smoltz who is out for the season) to win this division.
This isn't to count the Mets out. They look strong on paper, but will have to
get big years from everyone to beat out the Braves.
NL Central
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
Houston
St. Louis
Chicago
Milwaukee
*Note: that this division is up in the air. The top team will certainly be the
Reds, but the next three could finish in any order. Should be a fun year in the
NL Central.
NL West
Arizona
San Francisco
San Diego
Los Angeles
Colorado
*Note: No big surprises here. Arizona is the real deal, and San Francisco loves
to underachieve. We'll have to wait and see if Barry Bonds can lead this team
into the playoffs, we all know he can't lead them IN the playoffs.
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The Art of Comparing Players by Michael Frankel
Comparing individual players, including different kinds of players over
different eras is not a certain thing. When Babe Ruth hit 60 homeruns, he out-homered
many teams. Now, when at least 20 players hit 40 in a season, comparably 60 is
not as impressive.
Furthermore, everyone, ESPN, MLB fan voters, etc. use different criteria when
judging players. Take a pitcher for example. Wins are a huge category no doubt,
but is not also a function of what team you play on? Similarly, era is a common
stat, but if you have a 2.30 era, does it matter if you go 5-10?
Point is, judging players is a subjective matter. Different people value
different things. Tony Gwynn's function is to hit. Ruth was put cleanup to
homer. People always said Wade Boggs had amazing power, 30 homerun power, yet
he maxed at somewhere in the teens I believe. Why? Because he chose to get hits
more than homeruns.
Let me ask you all something. If you were building a sports team right now,
disregarding money whom would you take first? Truth be told, I rather have Alex
Rodriguez over Ken Griffey Jr. for the simple fact of ss vs. of. Mike
Francesca, host of a radio sports talk show on WFAN and one of the most
respected people in the business answers that question with Derek Jeter,
because unlike Arod, Jeter has shown he can win and win frequently.
Different people value different things. To compare players from different eras
who were different kinds of players is absurd (just one of the reasons the all
century team was idiotic, though a great marketing idea). If you want to break
it down and go best power hitter, pure hitter, base runner etc, that in my mind
is a much better way to go about it. To argue over the top 100 all around is
ridiculous because baseball has changed in many ways, just look at the 80s and
the 90s.
Remember when Cecil fielder was amazing because he hit 50 hrs, yet batted just
.250? Now, it's not nearly as impressive as Shawn green hitting .340, with 40
hrs is it? The game simply changes over time.
Lets think about it - when Bernie Williams batted 2nd in 95, his job was to get
on base. Now batting 4th, his job is to produce runs. Is it the same player?
Yes. Is it a different role? Yes. Did he change his approach? Yes. Who's to say
if he was on a different team his role and stats wouldn't be different?
Comparing players without taking these things into account is something
everyone does, yet in reality it is like comparing apples and oranges. You
cannot judge a player without context; to do so would be a mistake.
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Email baseballreport@aol.com with any comments, suggestions, or opinions you may
have.
That's all for this issue.
Till next time,
Michael Frankel
Editor-in-Chief
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