Walter Fulbright
Aug 20, 2009 Nov 03, 2010 7 18
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The False Lure of Parity
by Walter Fulbright on Nov 3, 2010 10:02 AM EDT
on Beyond the Box Score
I’m sure you’ve heard about this … the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers went head to head with Game 4 of the World Series, and outdrew it by 2.6 million viewers. As has been pointed out (and how), this was the first time in history a regular season NFL game had more viewers than a World Series game. Never mind that they don’t go head to head that often, and when they have recently the football game has been on cable, and probably with a fair amount of Tony Kornheiser involved – certainly all elements that aided the baseball side of this particular competition.
But this year finally broke that barrier, one that has lead to handwringing and snark as only the Internet brings to a topic. It is certain that a disappointing number of people watched the World Series. And while television analysts (and football pundits desperate to feel superior) seem shocked and amused, advertisers weren’t – they groaned as soon as the matchup was decided. No one cares about these teams, or at least not enough of them to make a television impact.
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Twins vs. Tigers: Graph of the Day
by Walter Fulbright on Oct 7, 2009 8:15 AM EDT
in Visuals Above Replacement
on Beyond the Box Score
The place won’t die. That’s how it should be, I suppose. That’s how it goes in horror movies. The killer gets burned, drowned, chopped in half, run over by a car, crushed by a tree, shot 12 times in the chest … but the killer keeps coming back, more and more ticked off with each near-death experience.
Joe Posnanski, on the Metrodome. October 6th, 2009
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The (Not so) Big Bossman (Jr.): Graph of the Day
by Walter Fulbright on Oct 5, 2009 3:32 AM EDT
in Visuals Above Replacement
on Beyond the Box Score
In 2007 and 2008, Upton posted wOBA’s of .387 and .354, respectively. This year, that mark has plummeted to just .298. Among batters taking at least 500 trips to the plate, Upton has the fourth-worst wOBA in the game. Only light-swinging middle infielders Edgar Renteria, David Eckstein and Orlando Cabrera have provided less value with the lumber. Per Batting Runs (a park-adjusted measure of offensive production), Upton has gone from +27.2 runs above average in 2007 and +15.3 in ‘08 to a wheezing -13.2 in 2009.
"What's with B.J. Upton?" Fangraphs, Sep. 20, 2009
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Cliff Lee vs. Cole Hamels: Graph of the Day
by Walter Fulbright on Oct 2, 2009 6:41 AM EDT
in Visuals Above Replacement
on Beyond the Box Score
In his last 21 starts, (Joe) Blanton is 9-4 with a 2.78 ERA, allowing only 125 hits in 139 1/3 innings. And, yeah, that might make him the Phillies' best pitcher this season.
Only it really won't. From the Philadelphia Daily News, and only 8 days ago
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Washington Nationals VOC: Graph of the Day
by Walter Fulbright on Sep 30, 2009 8:00 AM EDT
in Visuals Above Replacement
on Beyond the Box Score
"All of us at Majestic Athletic want to apologize to both the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for accidentally omitting the 'o' in two Nationals jerseys," Majestic Athletic president Jim Pisani said in a statement distributed at Nationals Park on Tuesday.
"We take 100 percent responsibility for this event and we regret any embarrassment for the Nationals organization, players and fans," the statement continued.
From ESPN.com, April 23, 2009 - Majestic Athletics must have an awful lot of regret
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The Two Sides of Adam Dunn: Graph of the Day
by Walter Fulbright on Sep 29, 2009 5:47 PM EDT
in Visuals Above Replacement
on Beyond the Box Score
’"You're not going to succeed if you don't have the talent," Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. ’"The ones with the makeup and the character are the ones who take it to the next level. I don't think Adam Dunn needs any nurturing. You just let him go."...
... Dunn is not frightened by Griffey's recent experiences in the spotlight. Neither is he the type to change his persona to fit fame. ’"I'm not going to change," he said. ’"I'm a pretty loud guy, a pretty outspoken guy."
Example: "Aaron (Boone) would be a great wife if he were a woman."
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Los Angeles Dodgers VOC and Payroll Breakdown: Graph of the Day
by Walter Fulbright on Sep 21, 2009 1:36 PM EDT
in Visuals Above Replacement
on Beyond the Box Score
"You know if the player's going to be a good player or not. That's what you really know," said Colletti, who was confident he knew that much about Ethier.
That Ethier would blossom into the top threat on the National League's best-hitting team? Or that he would become the best clutch hitter in baseball? Well, Colletti got kind of lucky there because Ethier has become historically good.
From the LA Times, taking some serious liberty with the definition of historical
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