We all know the outcome of a playoff series is a random enough event that it’s pointless to spend 15+ hours building a model to predict the winners. So I spent 15+ hours last week building a model to predict the winners. It’s based on fangraphs’ Runs Above Replacement for pitchers and Runs Above Average for hitters, fielders, and baserunners. More after the jump.
With a few days before the “real” post-season begins (somehow, the wild card games still seem like game 163 to me), here’s a look back at the season that was, team by team. I’m guessing there may be a few surprises along the way.
More after the jump.
This post is for voting and discussion in the 109th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1880. Rules and lists are after the jump.
His election was delayed a few voting rounds but was never in doubt. As its 106th inductee, the Circle of Greats welcomes Grover Cleveland Alexander, the National League’s all-time pitching WAR leader. Alexander is also the career leader in the senior circuit in Wins (tied with Christy Mathewson) and Shutouts, and the modern era leader in Complete Games. In a career of twenty seasons, Alexander logged over 5000 IP and faced almost 21,000 batters, both second in the NL only to Warren Spahn in the modern era. More on Alexander after the jump.
This post is for voting and discussion in the 108th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1881 and 1882. Rules and lists are after the jump.
In last weekend’s showdown series with Toronto, the Yankees’ Brett Gardner became the first player of this century to record an unusual game feat. In so doing, he joined 10 others with the same feat since 1914. What is this unusual batting accomplishment?
| Rk | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brett Gardner |
| 2 | Mark McGwire |
| 3 | Mike Stanley |
| 4 | Kal Daniels |
| 5 | Bob Horner |
| 6 | Gary Roenicke |
| 7 | Frank Thomas |
| 8 | Roy Sievers |
| 9 | Bob Cerv |
| 10 | Johnny Mize |
| 11 | Jimmie Foxx |
There was no fooling Yankee aficionado Richard Chester. He knew that Gardner is the latest player to lose a 9 inning contest at home despite a monster game with 6 or more RBI on 2 or more home runs, no other hits and no strikeouts. More after the jump.
On September 5th, David Price notched the 100th win of his career against Baltimore. Nine days earlier, Yovanni Gallardo had done the same against Toronto (one of the few pitchers to beat the Blue Jays last month). Those two followed Clayton Kershaw, who collected his century win against Colorado on May 15th. What else do these three have in common? All have yet to embark on their age 30 season, making them the latest of just 92 pitchers to win 100 games since 1961 and do so before their age 30 season. More after the jump.
This post is for voting and discussion in the 107th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1883 and 1884. Rules and lists are after the jump.
I’ve fallen behind on the posts for our COG election winners, so here’s a recap post on the most recent inductees: Eddie Collins, Walter Johnson and Ty Cobb. All were deservedly no-doubters as COG honorees, so much so that Grover Cleveland Alexander, another most worthy candidate, is still waiting his turn. More on this illustrious trio after the jump.
This post is for voting and discussion in the 106th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1885. Rules and lists are after the jump.