Thursday, April 01, 2010

This Girl's Favorite Stats

Hi guys! Let me tell you something about myself: I love baseball, and I love the Dodgers. Which is why this Blue Babes gig is perfect for me!

Like a lot of you, I grew up with BA and ERA as your basic measurements of baseball success. But after reading "Moneyball" (BTW, can't wait for the movie version - Brad Pitt as Billy Beane? OMG!) I started to try to expand my statistical horizons. OBP and OPS were natural next steps - I mean, how many times have we heard a walk's as good as a hit? I mean, it's not always true, but I also don't believe in all this "clogging the bases" BS.

Anyway, a girl doesn't always have the time to browse B-R all day (I wish!), so naturally I was thrilled when adjusted stats hit the scene. OPS+ now makes a lot more sense for historical comparisons (Piazza vs. Bench? Please!) I'm also a fan of Mr. Tango's wOBA...BABIP also rocks, as it's one of the few stats that works for batters and pitchers (does it swing both ways? lol j/k!)

Pitching-wise, I still think ERA, WHIP and K/9 are a good place to start. But wins? No thank you. Instead, I've become intrigued by FIP (and it's adorable little cousin, x-FIP), although I haven't quite got a handle on relating them back to those more traditional measurements. Same with DIPS. Oh well, practice makes perfect - just like in dancing!

I have to admit, I get a little lost when it comes to defensive metrics. Kinda like when I can't decide between two different pairs of strappy black heels. Know the feeling guys? hahaha. UZR is still in its infancy, and far as I know we don't have complete enough records for historical comparisons, so how useful is it really? Maybe FRAA?

Anyway, all this talk has put this girl in the mood to dig around BP and Fangraphs. See ya there!

xoxo
Hunter

Which is the most useful stat?
OPS
WAR
EqA
VORP
  
pollcode.com free polls

17 comments:

QuadSevens said...

Hot girls and baseball stats?!? I think my head is going to explode!

rbnlaw said...

I don't understand a word of what was just written.

I voted for VOIP.

Orel said...

If a girl can understand it, certainly a guy can too?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos.

Eric Karros said...

I don't know which is my favorite but my least favorite is War! We need to end all war in the world!! No more war!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Hate to break up this lovefest, but I just found out per Jerry Crasnick that Blake DeWitt has been optioned to Triple-A. Looks like Belly 2.0 is going to be the starter.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@MLASF: Arggggggggggggg if true.

@VMA: Honey, let Dr. Neeebs explain the WAR concept to you. Thereafter, you'll want to get into weapons of mass destruction.

Orel said...

DeWitt gets the shaft AGAIN. Only hit .339/.439/.536 in ST.

Orel said...

For once I agree with Vma!

Josh S. said...

@Mr. LASF: GOD DAMMIT. I knew it. Joe had said he was waiting to see him turn a double-play ball. When he booted that one last night, I knew he was doomed.

Which is RETARDED, btw.

FREE BLAKE DEWITT!!!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Another tidbit from J-Cras: YOU'VE ALL BEEN PUNKED!

I got you guys good!

Josh S. said...

Son...

of...

a...

bitch.

*hangs head in shame*

*deletes tweet*

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Ah, I love April Fools' Day.

Now who's laug-ing? Now who's laugh-ing? Now who's laug-ing?

Orel said...

Nice one, Mr. Fan!

Eric Karros said...

Hi Neeebs. Thank you for the offer but I already understand the concept of War. The concept is the same if you are from America or Sweden or from wherever you come from.

War is bad. Boo to war!

Jason said...

What about if you are from Switzerland?