Hitting in the Silliest Ball Era
Posted by Chris J. on October 5, 2007
Here's a completely random one for you:
In 1893, baseball moved the pitcher back 10 feet and 6 inches. In the process of adjustment, that lasted until 1900, baseball had it's all-time greatest run scoring environment (no, I'm not counting the National Association as a real league).
Wanna know who played in it and how they did? Well, with PI you can find out who had the best and worst batting averages of those years. Really puts into perspective what an effing terrible hitter Monte Cross was, don't it?
October 6th, 2007 at 11:34 am
I like how Cross had an amazing 1894 (just like the rest of the league), although it was statistically insignificant.
He hit .442/.520/.837 with 5 triples in 42 ABs. Take that, Jimmy Rollins!
I also find it amusing that the process of adjustment is listed as lasting until 1900, and in 1901 Cross was .197/.281/.236. Yikes.
October 6th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
What were the best ERA+ in that span?
October 6th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Poor Bones Ely: A lifetime 69 OPS+ and a lifetime 54 ERA+ (with 52 IP).
October 6th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Best ERA+ 1893-1900:
A. Rusie 147 (actual ERA 3.08)
K. Nichols 145
C. Young 139
C. Griffith 129
N. Cuppy 128