Comments on: Is Jeter The Straw That Stirs The Drink?

By: John C

John C — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:28:31 +0000

and totally spelled “your” wrong. yoru?? i must have still been confused from your post.

By: John C

John C — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:27:51 +0000

whoa steve too deep. totally missed yoru point

By: Steve Lombardi

Steve Lombardi — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:15:34 +0000

Good points guys. And, I can understand the logic of looking at it as a 32% haircut across the board.

Still, there’s a concept of good and bad that needs to be considered, no? For example, think of it in terms of rain and sun instead of wins and losses.

Everyday it’s sunny, I agree to give you a prize from two wallets. The prize from the first wallet is $100 and the prize from the second one is $25. That’s pretty good, right.

Now, if it’s raining, I’m going to give you 75% less from each wallet. So, from wallet one, you get $25 - which is still pretty good. But, from wallet two, you now get $6.25 - which is worthless, just about.

Still with me?

Jeter is the rainy day prize from the 2nd wallet when the team loses. Yes, he’s producing at the rate that one would expect, percentage-wise, as compared to the 4th batter. But, it’s not a good production - and, therefore has less help to the team that the $25 from the first wallet.

Hey, it’s just a thought.

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:30:26 +0000

I had the exact same thought as Raphy when I saw the data. I don’t think the analysis is so straightforward, either. Keep in mind, for example, that run production out of the 4th spot is heavily linked to how well the 2nd spot gets on base.

By: Raphy

Raphy — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:35:01 +0000

I was not actually comparing Arod and Jeter, but rather your numbers for the 2 hitter and 4 hitter (in the same way that you did).

By: Raphy

Raphy — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:32:42 +0000

“This is interesting. When Alex Rodriguez batted well last season, the Yankees either won or lost. And, when Derek Jeter batted well last season, the Yankees won. But, when Derek Jeter didn’t bat well in 2007, the Yankees lost.”

“Well” is relative.
Alex’s OPS was 32.369% better in Yankees wins than losses.
Jeter’s was 32.287%.

Sounds pretty even to me.