SB Nation User Blog: Schaefer

Dollar Value of a Run

Schaefer — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:18:09 -0000

Since we can estimate how many dollars a win is worth in baseball, is it possible to determine the dollar value of a specific run? I'm not talking about a run in the more abstact sense, like "Ichiro is X runs above replacement, which equates to X wins," because that would theoretically be easy to convert from $/win to $/run. I mean if you look at a play in a specific game, can you determine how much money that run was worth? Or is this difficult because of the variable amount of runs it takes to win a specific game?

Example: A pitcher intentionally beans a hitter. Let's say the run value of a HBP is around .3 runs. From that, can you determine how many dollars the pitcher cost his team by hitting the guy?

I'm curious because this would be an interesting way to address the question, "how stupid is it to 'retaliate' or 'stand up for your teammate' by hitting an opposing team's player?" I don't know much about the math behind WPA and related stats, so any details people would be willing to share would be helpful. Thanks.

LCS poll

Schaefer — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:49:44 -0000

Since the majority of those who voted in the LDS poll were rooting for the Cubs and Brewers, we need a new poll for the LCS:

In my opinion it's hard not to root for the Rays to win the ALCS. Many Red Sox fans have become increasingly incorrigible and their games in Safeco are quite unenjoyable. Plus, the Rays are awesome in just about every way.

In the National League, I've always had a soft spot for the Dodgers. I know that's not a commonly held sentiment around here though, and in this series I don't think I can help but root for Jamie Moyer and the rest of the Phillies squad.

Poll

Who are you rooting for in the League Championship Series?

Red Sox, Phillies

2 votes

Red Sox, Dodgers

10 votes

Rays, Phillies

106 votes

Rays, Dodgers

55 votes

173 votes | Poll has closed

Strasburg vs. Netherlands

Schaefer — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:54:29 -0000

For insomniac Lookout Landing readers who are either optimistic or pessimistic about the Mariners' future:

Stephen Strasburg was pitching for team USA versus the Netherlands earlier today.

He's the lone college player on the US national team.

Matthew Brown is an infielder on the team who is from Bellevue and plays for Salt Lake City. He hit a solo homerun in the 2nd inning.

There are no players from the Mariners organization on the team.

His final line: 7 IP 1 H 1 BB 11 K

Update: The game was called on account of rain in the 9th inning with the USA leading 7-0 and the Netherlands having the bases loaded with no outs. None of this involves Strasburg but it's still an odd way to end a game.