Upon a Note of Condolence

Among New York baseball fans there has long been a rivalry between those who support the Yankees and those who back the Mets. It reached the height of acrimony in the year 2000 when the teams squared off in the World Series (or "Subway Series" as it came to be known). The Yankees came out on top that year, capping a dominant stretch that saw them win 4 Championships in 5 years. Depending on who you ask, the rivalry is either fierce or playful. The teams play in different divisions, and are limited to a handful of games against each other during inter-league play, which barely affect the records of either team. The real competition usually centers around which team graces the back page of the newspaper and whose fans have the upper hand in barroom and website arguments.

Last year, the Mets went a long way toward dispelling the big-brother/little-brother complex which had plagued them of late as they competed with the rich and powerful boys from the Bronx. While the Yankees went home in the first round while the Mets came within a game of the World Series. During this season, the Mets came on like gangbusters (who apparently come on pretty strongly) and lead their division almost from the beginning. At the same time, the Yankees were in the tank, and many Mets fans let us hear all about it. Flash-forward to approximately two weeks ago. On September 12th, the Mets had a 7 game lead over their nearest competitor, the Philadelphia Phillies. Plans were being made for which pitchers would be the best for what game of the playoffs, and how to best be prepared. Soon after began what seemed like an inexorable tailspin, which culminated today. I will spare you the gory details, as I am sure they will be spilled across whatever website you go to for sports news. Suffice it to say that the Mets will be accused of one of the larger gag jobs in recent memory.

As a fan of baseball, and a New Yorker, I have got to feel for the Mets and their fans. There is no schadenfreude in seeing them drop not only out of their division championship, but out of the playoffs altogether. The Mets losses were extremely painful to watch when I did tune in, replete with blown leads, sweeps by lowly opponents, and today's "over before it even began" loss in a must win game.

To whatever Mets fans might see this blog, and in particular to one fan who I know does, I feel for you guys. No trash talk today. This was a team that should have been in the playoffs, and it sucks that they won't be there. Were the roles reversed, I can only imagine how I would feel. I just hope my boys can go win one for NY.

Upon the NL MVP- Part Three

In regard to the David Wright vs Matt Holliday arguement, I think that the offensive number comparison bears repeating. I know offense does not determine the MVP, but again, if a tie has to be broken....

Batting Average: Matt Holliday- 2nd NL David Wright- 7th NL

Home Runs: MH- 4th DR-13th

RBI: MH-1st DR- 9th

Runs: MH- 4th DR- 6th

2B- MH- 1st DR- tie-10th

OBP- MH-8th DR- 4th

SLG- MH-2 DR- 11th

Hits- MH- 1st DR- 6th

Thats not even close. All the offensive numbers favor Holliday. Plus. Wright's team is in the crapper, and Holliday's is surging. Sure Holliday got hurt recently, but he's still got league leading numbers. And he's and average of 7 places better than Wright in terms of NL rankings, and top 5 in everything but OBP. Wright isn't top 5 in anything. There are at least 5 players better than Wright in every offensive category. I can't say thats an MVP. You couldn't say it about Jeter last year, you can't say it about A-rod this year. If the Rockies make it, Holliday should win the award.

How about fielding you say?

David Wright ranks 9th in fielding % among NL 3b. Only 2 3b have made more errors, and only by 2. (23 to 21). He ranks 8th in zone rating among NL 3b. His Range factor is squarely in the middle. Are these MVP defensive numbers that make-up for an offensive game that overall is not top 5?

Holliday has the #1 Zone rating at his position. I know that third and LF are not comprable, but #1 is #1.

So, sell me on Wright's candidacy again?

Upon the 2007 MVP- Part 2

OK, so my commenter thinks that David Wright is the NL MVP thus far. I think that the case is strong, but I have to wonder: Why does Matt Holliday get disregarded? Nearly every statistic that can be measured based on performance favors him over Wright. Wright has more steals, but the same number of runs scored, so the stat becomes moot. If you are not crossing the plate more, or driving guys in more, steals don't do much for your value over another player.

Win shares, VORP...etc, are made- up stats. If you use them to "break the tie" between equal players, it makes sense as another level of comparison. However, there is no tie in terms of performance:

Batting Average:
Holliday- 2nd in NL (.334)
Wright- 9th in NL (.316)

RBI:Holliday- 2nd in NL (113)
Wright-9th in NL (95)

OBP:Wright- 6th in NL (.411)
Holliday- 9th in NL (.394)

OPS:Holliday- 6th in NL (.970)
Wright- 8th in NL (.954)

HR:Wright (28)Holliday (27)
Runs:Wright (98)Holliday (97)

Slugging:Holliday- 3rd in NL- (.576)
Wright- 11th in NL- (.544)

Even if you want to throw steals in, Holliday bats 30 points better with 20 more RBI and the same number of runs scored and HR. If you like made up stats, Holliday's season vs his Marcels batting is superior. (didn't think I followed fake stats?)

Upon the MVP- 2007 Version- Part 1

AVG .315 HR 27 RBI 93 OBP .410 SLG .539 HITS 165 RUNS 97

AVG .336 HR 19 RBI 84 OBP .421 SLG .549 HITS 152 RUNS 78

AVG .292 HR 23 RBI 91 OBP .365 SLG .492 HITS 143 RUNS 92

AVG .288 HR 43 RBI 104 OBP .387 SLG .613 HITS 147 RUNS 95

AVG .318 HR 52 RBI 140 OBP .424 SLG .672 HITS 165 RUNS 132

AVG .331 HR 26 RBI 111 OBP .391 SLG .568 Hits 186 Runs 96


So if I were to tell you that the above numbers were from 6 potential candidates for league MVP, whose numbers look the best? One person is fairly obvious, but deserves to be there as a reflection of what MVP numbers should look like. However, what about the rest? The best average is the second guy. The second most HR are in the middle. RBI belong to the bottom guy. OBP is the second guy again. Slugging is in the middle as well. Hits are the bottom guy, and runs are the first guy.

So who would be your MVP with these offensive numbers? Be honest.
Now, venture a guess as to who each player is. I have more on the topic after some comments.