SBNation.com: All Posts by Jason Brannonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2014-01-09T11:32:19-05:00https://www.sbnation.com/authors/jason-brannon/rss2014-01-09T11:32:19-05:002014-01-09T11:32:19-05:00Same-sex marriage and the steroids mess
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0gX3UIuTIIKcWoRMW3rXMBzS95c=/13x0:563x367/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26527991/gyi0061136249.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim McIsaac</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Bill James has an incredible knack for clarifying an idea. Take, for example, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tangotiger.net/wiki/index.php?title=Defensive_Spectrum">the defensive spectrum</a>. Almost every baseball fan intuitively grasps, on some level, that first basemen and right fielders hit more than shortstops and second basemen. But it was Bill who untangled this fuzzy notion and turned it into this:</p>
<h4 align="center">DH - 1B - LF - RF - 3B - CF - 2B - SS</h4>
<p>Bill understood, better than anyone else, and <i>before </i>anyone else, that offense and defense are inextricably linked. What's more, he understood <i>how </i>they were linked, why this was true, and what the consequences of it were. And he explained all this in a way everyone could understand.</p>
<p>Yesterday, Bill appeared on <i>Clubhouse Confidential</i> to discuss the Hall of Fame election:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Brian Kenny:</b> What do you think should happen with where you draw that steroid line?</p>
<p><b>Bill James:</b> Well, I'm not asking people to set aside what's right and wrong. If you think there's a right and a wrong here, and you want to vote on that, that's great, I don't have a problem with that. But I'm saying, for sake of understanding, set aside what's right and what's wrong. History doesn't coalesce around a compromise. History coalesces only around an extreme position. And there are two extreme positions: (1) the steroid users can't go in, or (2) it doesn't matter. It's impossible for history to coalesce around the position that steroid users can't go in, because, frankly, there's already steroid users in [the Hall of Fame], and as time passes, more and more of us are going to be using more and more steroids for more and more things. It's impossible for history to coalesce around that position, therefore it has to coalesce around the other extreme position, that [steroid use] doesn't matter. And I would argue that [given] enough time, it isn't going to matter, and that all the guys we think are permanently banned, they're actually all going in.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I think this is a brilliant observation, and I immediately tried to think of other instances where this was true, where history coalesced around one of two extreme positions and rejected the compromise position. And it hit me right away that this was true of the gay marriage debate in the United States. The compromise position, that gay couples should be granted the same legal rights as married straight couples with regard to inheritance and hospital visitation and the like, but that we won't call it "marriage," that we'll call them civil unions or some such, or the federalist argument that gay marriage should be legal in California but not in Utah, has basically no traction. Anyone who holds that position is not on solid footing. And as more states and jurisdictions legalize same-sex marriage via the ballot box or judicial rulings, it seems obvious — has been obvious for a long time now — that history absolutely will <i>not</i> coalesce around the position that there won't be gay marriage in the United States. And so therefore there <i>will</i> be gay marriage in the United States.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Brian Kenny:</b> How long do you think that will take? Does that take a whole generational shift?</p>
<p><b>Bill James:</b> It takes a generation, yes.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It was almost exactly a generation ago that Andrew Sullivan, writing in <i>The New Republic</i>, first <a target="_blank" href="http://www.newrepublic.com/article/79054/here-comes-the-groom">argued</a> for gay marriage as a superior alternative to "domestic partnerships." And while same-sex marriage isn't legal everywhere in America, it's fast becoming so. Too fast for some, not fast enough for others; but it is coming, even in Utah.</p>
<p>I think the idea that same-sex marriage is inevitable, precisely because the alternative is practically and politically impossible, is something we've all sort of intuitively grasped, though perhaps only vaguely so. I would bet Bill James figured it out twenty years ago.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2014/1/9/5290850/bill-james-steroids-and-same-sex-marriageJason Brannon2014-01-06T16:48:57-05:002014-01-06T16:48:57-05:00The Unrewarded
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mSlsReBSOI3qXG17ldku9hunEk4=/0x262:2663x2037/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26377321/20120723_jel_ah2_180.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here's an All-Star team made up of the best players who never:</p>
<p>a) Played for a World Series champion.<br>b) Won an MVP or Cy Young award.<br>c) Won election to the Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>Oh, they played on All-Star teams and won Gold Gloves and such. But let's face it: In baseball's hierarchy of awards, MVPs are the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballnation.com/2012/2/26/2825300/academy-awards-2012-oscars-mvp-voting">Oscars</a>, and Gold Gloves are the <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nerve.com%2Fentertainment%2Franked%2Franked-best-new-artist-grammy-winners-from-least-to-most-deserving&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2F2014%2F1%2F6%2F5281264%2Fthe-unrewarded" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Grammys</a>.</p>
<p>Adrian Beltre is still active, of course, and may yet fulfill one or all three criteria to get kicked off this team. <strike>And Tim Raines will surely be inducted into the Hall someday, right? (RIGHT?!?!)</strike> [<i>Edit: Raines won a ring with the '96 and '98 Yankees.</i>] Otherwise, I think these gents have received all the rewards they'll ever get, save for being on this list.</p>
<p>
<style>
</style></p>
<table cols="4" border="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup width="38"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="106"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="45"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="480"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17"><b>Pos</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Player</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>WAR</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Notes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="16">C</td>
<td align="LEFT">Ted Simmons</td>
<td align="RIGHT">50.3</td>
<td align="LEFT">Hit .303/.383/.483 with 138 OPS+ from 1975-80.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">1B</td>
<td align="LEFT">Rafael Palmeiro</td>
<td align="RIGHT">71.8</td>
<td align="LEFT">Grace in '90s: 121 OPS+. Palmeiro: 139. Cubs made the wrong trade.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">2B</td>
<td align="LEFT">Bobby Grich</td>
<td align="RIGHT">70.1</td>
<td align="LEFT">Was a rookie on '70 WS champs, but didn't play in postseason. Not counting it!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">3B</td>
<td align="LEFT">Adrian Beltre</td>
<td align="RIGHT">70.7</td>
<td align="LEFT">Maybe he'll get his ring this year. He's five years younger than you think.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">SS</td>
<td align="LEFT">Jim Fregosi</td>
<td align="RIGHT">48.6</td>
<td align="LEFT">Managed <a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE9Lf249C84/Ub-8UeZ_0XI/AAAAAAAARoE/4WkZnFK_jlk/s1600/1993+Medford+Phillies+All-Stars.jpg">these guys</a>. What's Kruk wearing around his ankles?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">LF</td>
<td align="LEFT">Bob Johnson<br>
</td>
<td align="RIGHT">57.2</td>
<td align="LEFT">Bad luck: He never played for a team that came within 11 games of winning a pennant.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">CF</td>
<td align="LEFT">Kenny Lofton</td>
<td align="RIGHT">67.9</td>
<td align="LEFT">Failed to reach 5 percent in his first year of Hall eligibility. Crazy.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">RF</td>
<td align="LEFT">Dwight Evans</td>
<td align="RIGHT">66.9</td>
<td align="LEFT">They elected the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphsw.aspx?players=1003865,1010897&wg=1">wrong Red Sox outfielder</a>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="16"><br></td>
<td align="LEFT"><br></td>
<td align="LEFT"><br></td>
<td align="LEFT"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">SP</td>
<td align="LEFT">Rick Reuschel</td>
<td align="RIGHT">68.2</td>
<td align="LEFT">Hit 4 triples and stole 3 stolen bases in his career, which a lot for a pitcher.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">SP</td>
<td align="LEFT">Luis Tiant</td>
<td align="RIGHT">65.9</td>
<td align="LEFT">Started <a target="_blank" href="http://youtu.be/SQzL34qH7uo">Game Six</a>. Wasn't brilliant, but was in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=tiantlu01&t=p&post=1">rest of postseason</a>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="16">SP</td>
<td align="LEFT">Tommy John</td>
<td align="RIGHT">62.2</td>
<td align="LEFT">5 years before surgery: 1056 IP, 113 ERA+; 5 years after: 1182 IP, 121 ERA+.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">SP</td>
<td align="LEFT">Chuck Finley</td>
<td align="RIGHT">58.4</td>
<td align="LEFT">Best LHP of the '90s, after Randy Johnson and Tom Glavine.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.sbnation.com/2014/1/6/5281264/the-unrewardedJason Brannon2014-01-02T09:30:02-05:002014-01-02T09:30:02-05:00The All-Switch-Hitter Team
<figure>
<img alt="No way a bullet can do that!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uljRwJzfjo8A9T3nv7fvXSVpxv4=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26113573/171825731.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>No way a bullet can do that! | Daniel Shirey</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Most people are right-handed. You can depend on a right-handed person. A right-handed person is a good neighbor, definitely not a bomb-thrower.</p>
<p>A lefty, on the other hand, you have to watch out for. You wouldn't let a left-handed person do your taxes or babysit your kids, for instance. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.</p>
<p>But the worst type, by far, are the ambidextrous. A left-handed person you can at least trust to be himself. A switch-hitter, though, can't make up his mind. He's a squish. God save us if one of these gutless losers ever attained high office.</p>
<p>Anyway, here are the best switch-hitters in baseball history, as chosen by the Commissioner's blue ribbon panel of experts:</p>
<table cols="5" border="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup width="38"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="111"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="92"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="47"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="460"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="18"><b>Pos</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Player</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Years</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>WAR</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Notes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">C</td>
<td align="LEFT">Ted Simmons</td>
<td align="LEFT">1968-1988</td>
<td align="RIGHT">50.3</td>
<td align="LEFT">Probably the best catcher not in the Hall of Fame, after Piazza.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">1B</td>
<td align="LEFT">Eddie Murray</td>
<td align="LEFT">1977-1997</td>
<td align="RIGHT">68</td>
<td align="LEFT">One of only <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/season_finder.cgi?type=b#gotresults&as=result_batter&offset=0&sum=1&min_year_season=1901&max_year_season=2013&min_season=1&max_season=-1&min_age=0&max_age=99&is_rookie=&lg_ID=lgAny&lgAL_team=tmAny&lgNL_team=tmAny&lgFL_team=tmAny&lgAA_team=tmAny&lgPL_team=tmAny&lgUA_team=tmAny&lgNA_team=tmAny&isActive=either&isHOF=either&isAllstar=either&bats=any&throws=any&exactness=anypos&pos_1=1&pos_2=1&pos_3=1&pos_4=1&pos_5=1&pos_6=1&pos_7=1&pos_8=1&pos_9=1&pos_10=1&pos_11=1&games_min_max=min&games_prop=50&games_tot=&qualifiersSeason=nomin&minpasValS=502&mingamesValS=100&qualifiersCareer=nomin&minpasValC=3000&mingamesValC=1000&orderby=HR&c1criteria=H&c1gtlt=gt&c1val=3000&c2criteria=HR&c2gtlt=gt&c2val=500&c3gtlt=eq&c3val=0&c4gtlt=eq&c4val=0&c5gtlt=eq&c5val=1.0&location=pob&locationMatch=is&pob=&pod=&pcanada=&pusa=&saved_query=&ajax=1&submitter=1&z=1&z=1">four players with 3,000 hits, 500 homers</a>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="18">2B</td>
<td align="LEFT">Frankie Frisch</td>
<td align="LEFT">1919-1937</td>
<td align="RIGHT">70.1</td>
<td align="LEFT">He and Chipper are only players to hit .300 from each side of plate.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">3B</td>
<td align="LEFT">Chipper Jones</td>
<td align="LEFT">1993-2012</td>
<td align="RIGHT">85.2</td>
<td align="LEFT">Only switch-hitter to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RealCJ10/statuses/268921854255828994">see through Warren Report hoax</a>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">SS</td>
<td align="LEFT">Ozzie Smith</td>
<td align="LEFT">1978-1996</td>
<td align="RIGHT">78.5</td>
<td align="LEFT">Had the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballnation.com/2012/8/16/3247921/no-homers-club">best season without any home runs</a> in the post-dead-ball era.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="18">LF</td>
<td align="LEFT">Tim Raines</td>
<td align="LEFT">1979-2002</td>
<td align="RIGHT">68.8</td>
<td align="LEFT">Stole 808 bases with 85% success rate. Greatest base stealer ever?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">CF</td>
<td align="LEFT">Mickey Mantle</td>
<td align="LEFT">1951-1968</td>
<td align="RIGHT">109.7</td>
<td align="LEFT">Reached base at .512 clip in 1957 and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1957-batting-leaders.shtml">still didn't lead the league</a>!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="18">RF</td>
<td align="LEFT">Carlos Beltran</td>
<td align="LEFT">1998-present</td>
<td align="RIGHT">67.6</td>
<td align="LEFT">Had 1.557 OPS across two postseason series in 2004.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">UT</td>
<td align="LEFT">Pete Rose</td>
<td align="LEFT">1963-1986</td>
<td align="RIGHT">79.4</td>
<td align="LEFT">Played during six different presidential administrations.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17"><br></td>
<td align="LEFT"><br></td>
<td align="LEFT"><br></td>
<td align="LEFT"><br></td>
<td align="LEFT"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">SP</td>
<td align="LEFT">Kid Nichols</td>
<td align="LEFT">1890-1906</td>
<td align="RIGHT">116.6</td>
<td align="LEFT">The first great overhand pitcher? Was youngest ever to 300 wins.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">SP</td>
<td align="LEFT">Robin Roberts</td>
<td align="LEFT">1948-1966</td>
<td align="RIGHT">83.1</td>
<td align="LEFT">Led NL pitchers in WAR every year from 1950 thru 1954.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="17">SP</td>
<td align="LEFT">Ted Lyons</td>
<td align="LEFT">1923-1946</td>
<td align="RIGHT">67.2</td>
<td align="LEFT">Only Hall of Fame pitcher with more walks than strikeouts.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="18">SP</td>
<td align="LEFT">Mordedai Brown</td>
<td align="LEFT">1903-1916</td>
<td align="RIGHT">55.1</td>
<td align="LEFT">Some incredible century-old footage of him pitching <a target="_blank" href="http://youtu.be/FzkyW7WcybU">here</a>.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.sbnation.com/hot-corner/2014/1/2/5265388/the-all-switch-hitter-teamJason Brannon2013-12-19T14:22:58-05:002013-12-19T14:22:58-05:00The best and worst seasons of the 21st century
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S6jhODTi0NhLobYNfJIoppva_CU=/0x60:4000x2727/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25408191/169988769.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Duane Burleson</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>... by position and according to Wins+*. First, the best:</p>
<p>
<style>
</style></p>
<table cols="7" border="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup width="37"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="43"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="104"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="69"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="50"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="52"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="366"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Pos</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Player</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Team</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>wRC+</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Wins+</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Notes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">C</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2009</td>
<td align="LEFT">Joe Mauer</td>
<td align="LEFT">Twins</td>
<td align="RIGHT">170</td>
<td align="RIGHT">15.5</td>
<td align="LEFT">Virtual tie with Buster Posey in 2012.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">1B</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2009</td>
<td align="LEFT">Albert Pujols</td>
<td align="LEFT">Cardinals</td>
<td align="RIGHT">180</td>
<td align="RIGHT">18.4</td>
<td align="LEFT">Would you take the over or under on an .810 OPS in 2014?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">2B</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2009</td>
<td align="LEFT">Ben Zobrist</td>
<td align="LEFT">Rays</td>
<td align="RIGHT">152</td>
<td align="RIGHT">17.1</td>
<td align="LEFT">The <a href="http://www.baseballnation.com/2013/3/11/4088616/the-underratedest">underratedest</a>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">3B</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2004</td>
<td align="LEFT">Adrian Beltre</td>
<td align="LEFT">Dodgers</td>
<td align="RIGHT">161</td>
<td align="RIGHT">19.3</td>
<td align="LEFT">Comfortably over the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_3B.shtml">standards for HoF third basemen</a>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="16" align="LEFT">SS</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2002</td>
<td align="LEFT">Alex Rodriguez</td>
<td align="LEFT">Rangers</td>
<td align="RIGHT">158</td>
<td align="RIGHT">18.6</td>
<td align="LEFT">Still has more innings at SS than 3B.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">LF</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2001</td>
<td align="LEFT">Barry Bonds</td>
<td align="LEFT">Giants</td>
<td align="RIGHT">235</td>
<td align="RIGHT">24.4</td>
<td align="LEFT">"Pete in. <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/paul_daugherty/04/15/rose.ramirez.hall/">Juicers out</a>."</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="16" align="LEFT">CF</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2012</td>
<td align="LEFT">Mike Trout</td>
<td align="LEFT">Angels</td>
<td align="RIGHT">166</td>
<td align="RIGHT">20.9</td>
<td align="LEFT">Like a comic book version of a ballplayer. In a good way.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="16" align="LEFT">RF</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2001</td>
<td align="LEFT">Sammy Sosa</td>
<td align="LEFT">Cubs</td>
<td align="RIGHT">186</td>
<td align="RIGHT">20.2</td>
<td align="LEFT">Amazing season overshadowed by Bonds.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>... and the least best:</p>
<p>
<style>
</style></p>
<table cols="7" border="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup width="38"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="43"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="106"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="69"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="51"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="54"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="385"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Pos</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Player</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Team</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>wRC+</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Wins+</b></td>
<td align="LEFT"><b>Notes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">C</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2001</td>
<td align="LEFT">Michael Barrett</td>
<td align="LEFT">Expos</td>
<td align="RIGHT">63</td>
<td align="RIGHT">-2.4</td>
<td align="LEFT">Was envy of MLB when he socked Pierzynski in the jaw.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="16" align="LEFT">1B</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2009</td>
<td align="LEFT">Aubrey Huff</td>
<td align="LEFT">2 Teams</td>
<td align="RIGHT">77</td>
<td align="RIGHT">-3.9</td>
<td align="LEFT">Two rings, four or five All-Star type seasons. Great career.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">2B</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2007</td>
<td align="LEFT">Craig Biggio</td>
<td align="LEFT">Astros</td>
<td align="RIGHT">70</td>
<td align="RIGHT">-3.1</td>
<td align="LEFT">Farewell tour. He didn't fare too well.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="16" align="LEFT">3B</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2001</td>
<td align="LEFT">Geoff Blum</td>
<td align="LEFT">Expos</td>
<td align="RIGHT">66</td>
<td align="RIGHT">-2.3</td>
<td align="LEFT">No video on the web of his game-winning HR in 2005 WS.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">SS</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2002</td>
<td align="LEFT">Neifi Perez</td>
<td align="LEFT">Royals</td>
<td align="RIGHT">39</td>
<td align="RIGHT">-5.0</td>
<td align="LEFT">"Push Neifi out now? This guy has <i>saved</i> us." - Dusty Baker</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">LF</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2011</td>
<td align="LEFT">Raul Ibanez</td>
<td align="LEFT">Phillies</td>
<td align="RIGHT">90</td>
<td align="RIGHT">-3.8</td>
<td align="LEFT">Just turned down 7-year offer from Jack Z.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">CF</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2005</td>
<td align="LEFT">Bernie Williams</td>
<td align="LEFT">Yankees</td>
<td align="RIGHT">85</td>
<td align="RIGHT">-3.8</td>
<td align="LEFT">Already enshrined in Hall of Fame for <a href="http://youtu.be/6KdVmqbEGX0">smooth jazz</a>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="17" align="LEFT">RF</td>
<td align="RIGHT">2012</td>
<td align="LEFT">Jeff Francoeur</td>
<td align="LEFT">Royals</td>
<td align="RIGHT">76</td>
<td align="RIGHT">-3.8</td>
<td align="LEFT"><a href="http://si.com/vault/cover/featured/10098/index.htm">"The Natural."</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><i>* Composite Wins Above Replacement. FanGraphs WAR plus Baseball-Reference WAR. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballnation.com/2012/11/16/3651520/wins-above-replacement-sabermetrics-war-stats">Invented by Rob Neyer</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/hot-corner/2013/12/19/5226822/the-best-and-worst-seasons-of-the-21st-centuryJason Brannon2013-12-17T19:14:22-05:002013-12-17T19:14:22-05:00My favorite rumor
<figure>
<img alt="BIZARRO WORLD - The Boston Expos host the New York Mets in their home opener, 2003." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hoBGzeE6KoM7D3tmPIbhxV98sFI=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25329257/143173662.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>BIZARRO WORLD - The Boston Expos host the New York Mets in their home opener, 2003. | Elsa</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><span>This</span> would have been <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/expos-fenway-share-park-sox-article-1.505178">a blast</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2002 -- The Daily News has learned that there have been preliminary discussions at the highest levels of baseball about having the MLB-owned Montreal Expos share Fenway Park with the Red Sox next season. According to a source with knowledge of the discussions, the Expos would play in Fenway for one year while MLB continues to search for a buyer - and a suitable permanent location for them. Under the discussed deal, MLB would pay the Red Sox rent for the Expos as Fenway tenants.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Larry Lucchino quickly <a href="http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/1450403/red-sox-expos-share-fenway-season" target="_blank">shot down</a> the rumor, and nothing came of it, of course. But for a fleeting moment one October afternoon, this Cub fan living in Boston was elated at the possibility. But it's likely no one was more excited by the prospect of National League baseball at Fenway Park than the <a href="http://www.baseballnation.com/2011/4/23/2128257/bostons-lost-cause" target="_blank">Boston Braves Boosters</a>.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/hot-corner/2013/12/17/5221812/my-favorite-rumorJason Brannon2013-12-16T17:32:49-05:002013-12-16T17:32:49-05:00An unintended side effect of banning collisions
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Without the tried-and-true option of colliding with the catcher, baserunners will be forced to perform awkward, aesthetically unpleasant "hook slides," never envisioned by the founders of our great pastime. Watch this fancy play by Willie "Mays" Hayes and weep for our future:</p>
<p><iframe height="480" frameborder="0" width="853" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nPH9cWTJgdU?rel=0"></iframe></p>
<p>A couple observations:</p>
<p>• Calling your shot and then laying down a bunt is bush. That is bush league.</p>
<p>• Snipes got a terrible jump off second base. Getting terrible jumps is probably how <a href="http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2013/04/wesley-snipes-is-out-of-prison" target="_blank">the IRS finally caught up to him</a>.</p>
<p>• If this had happened in real life, Clu Haywood, the Yankee first baseman, would have been blamed for hesitating before throwing home, much as Johnny Pesky was criticized for <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/23/sports/baseball/23vecsey.html" target="_blank">"holding the ball"</a> in the 1946 World Series. The <i>New York Post</i> headline writes itself ("Get a Clu, Haywood").</p>
<p>• Haywood was played by <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vuckope01.shtml" target="_blank">Pete Vuckovich</a>, who won the Cy Young award with the Brewers in 1982.</p>
<p>• In the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110442/" target="_blank">sequel</a> it's revealed that the Indians lost the ALCS to the White Sox. So this whole sequence likely would have been forgotten, just as no one remembers <a href="http://www.baseballnation.com/hot-corner/2013/9/30/4787544/the-forgotten-game" target="_blank">this game</a>. Such is the price of expanded playoffs and the Wild Card (I capitalize it out of respect for the institution).</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/hot-corner/2013/12/16/5217476/an-unintended-side-effect-of-banning-home-plate-collisionsJason Brannon2013-12-12T11:30:02-05:002013-12-12T11:30:02-05:00Baseball in the time before agents
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Bill Veeck explains how he negotiated Bob Feller's salary:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GbfG18nM6EU?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="640" frameborder="0" height="480"></iframe></p>
<p><i>"When it actually came down to agreeing on a figure, [Feller] would write what he thought [he was worth] on one slip of paper, I would write what I thought on another slip of paper, we'd exchange them and agree to split the difference. First time we did that, he thought he was worth $2500 less than I did. The second time, I think he was $1200 higher."</i></p>
<p>The following year, Veeck sold the Indians to pay for his divorce, which I suspect was just in time before Feller discovered the catastrophic flaw in his boss's plan.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/hot-corner/2013/12/12/5203098/baseball-in-the-time-before-agentsJason Brannon2013-12-11T18:04:39-05:002013-12-11T18:04:39-05:00There is no such thing as a second baseman
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Pwhg_-GhQ_C9LJK9N3cVpKVAHCk=/20x0:980x640/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24968775/20120417_ajw_aa6_105.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Bill James, from the <a href="http://www.billjamesonline.com/hey_bill/" target="_blank">"Hey Bill"</a> section of his website:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>...if you look at the history of the amateur draft, there has almost never been a second baseman drafted in the first round. I think in the entire 48-year history of the draft, 1200 or 1300 first-round draft picks, there are only a handful listed at the time of the draft as second basemen, whereas there are dozens and dozens listed at every other position.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I've never seen such an obvious case of blatant discrimination. [Chant] SECOND BASE, NOT SECOND CLASS! SECOND BASE, NOT SECOND CLASS!</p>
<blockquote>The reason that is true is that the drafting organization gets to decide how to list the player, and everybody does the same thing we do: they don't ASSUME that a player can't play shortstop. Lots of players drafted in the first round were actually playing second base in college, but their teams still drafted them as shortstops, just on the theory that if they COULD play shortstop, that would be good.</blockquote>
<p>Second basemen are really just a subspecies of shortstop. Ian Kinsler and Dustin Pedroia were both shortstops at Arizona State, but Kinsler was behind Pedroia on the depth chart, and ended up playing second and riding the bench. So he transferred to Missouri and starred there before being drafted by the Rangers as a shortstop.</p>
<p>Both Kinsler and Pedroia played more games at shortstop in the minors than second base. Well, Pedroia was about half and half. Essentially, every major league second baseman began life as a shortstop until his team was forced to play him at second base, either because he didn't have the arm for short, or, more often, because he was blocked by another player. Robinson Canó is a rare star second baseman who played more second than short in the minors. But when you've got a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldingbible.com/jeter.asp">defensive dynamo</a> manning shortstop for the big club, you don't change horses in midstream. No, you ride the horse until he dies, even though he can't go to his left anymore.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/hot-corner/2013/12/11/5201110/tinstaasb-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-second-basemanJason Brannon2013-12-10T09:30:02-05:002013-12-10T09:30:02-05:00But did Tony La Russa know Van Lingle Mungo?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>At the beginning of his managerial career, Tony La Russa — who was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2013/12/9/5191832/baseball-hall-fame-tony-larussa-joe-torre-bobby-cox">just elected to the Hall of Fame</a> — appeared on <i>To Tell the Truth</i>, a game show wherein two impostors ... here, you can figure it out.</p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/i1frmXdSUcU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>A few observations:</p>
<p>1) Rita Moreno is one of the few legitimate <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_have_won_Academy,_Emmy,_Grammy,_and_Tony_Awards">EGOT</a> winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). No bullshit spoken-word Grammys or honorary Tonys on her resumé. <i>I'm looking in your direction, James Earl Jones ...</i></p>
<p>Baseball's version of the EGOT is the MCR (MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year), which has been won by just two players: Don Newcombe and Justin Verlander.</p>
<p>2) Nipsey Russell, who was sort of a professional game show panelist in the '70s and '80s, obviously confused the White Sox with the Cubs, who still didn't have lights in 1980.</p>
<p>3) One of the impostors says Bill Veeck was the owner, president, and general manager of the club. In fact, the White Sox general manager who <strike>both hired and</strike> fired La Russa was Hawk Harrelson. I'm pretty sure they hate each other's guts, so here's hoping La Russa brings it up at his Hall of Fame induction next summer.</p>
<p>4) Any one of us would quickly expose the impostors with a few pointed questions about personnel, rules, etc. Imagine being a panelist and new Cubs manager Rick Renteria was one of the contestants. Even if you didn't recognize him on sight, you'd probably suss out the frauds in about ten seconds. Honestly, the state of baseball knowledge among B-list celebrities in the 1970's was appalling.</p>
<p>5) I'm guessing Moreno probably knew <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Lingle_Mungo">Van Lingle Mungo</a> from <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Lingle_Mungo_%28song%29">this super weird song</a>:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZAKHV6mUUaU" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640"></iframe></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/hot-corner/2013/12/10/5195268/but-did-tony-la-russa-know-van-lingle-mungoJason Brannon2013-12-09T09:15:01-05:002013-12-09T09:15:01-05:00Get hired the Jack Zduriencik way
<figure>
<img alt="Jack Zduriencik, Chuck Armstrong, Felix Hernandez, and Howard Lincoln" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GCjsiYHezMz2GuCZwrtl2WHBO6Y=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24777917/20120817_mje_sn8_162.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jack Zduriencik, Chuck Armstrong, Felix Hernandez, and Howard Lincoln | Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the post-<i>Moneyball</i> era, there are lots of paths to becoming a general manager. You can work your way up through a major league organization, all the while gaining valuable experience in all facets of the job, including scouting and advanced statistical analysis.</p>
<p>Or you can do <a target="_blank" href="http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2022420240_mariners08xml.html">what Jack Zduriencik did</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Jack portrayed himself as a scouting/stats hybrid because that’s what he needed to get the job," Blengino said. "But Jack never has understood one iota about statistical analysis. To this day, he evaluates hitters by homers, RBI and batting average and pitchers by wins and ERA. Statistical analysis was foreign to him. But he knew he needed it to get in the door."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Look, we all lie on our resumés. I told Rob I wrote for <i>Sports Illustrated</i> in the '60s under the name "Scoop" McAllister. When he found out the truth, he demoted me to "Hot Corner blogger." That was three happy years ago.</p>
<p>Anyway, the key to getting hired in baseball these days is to constantly use buzzwords like "analytics" and "blend" during your job interview, as in the sentence: <i>"I will seamlessly blend traditional scouting with modern analytics."</i> You don't have to actually believe it, and you certainly don't have to do it, you just have to <i>pretend</i> to believe it. And don't worry if you don't know Bill James from Bill Madlock; your prospective boss isn't going to ask you any tough questions like "What does OBP stand for?" That's a <i>detail</i>, and big-time CEOs don't get rich enough to own baseball teams by sweating the details.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en">
<p>Having zero knowledge of statistical analysis but lying and saying that you do is the new market inefficiency. <a href="http://t.co/I6IhcwUh9l">http://t.co/I6IhcwUh9l</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%236org&src=hash">#6org</a></p>
— Eric Simon (@AmazinAvenue) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmazinAvenue/statuses/409802530588483584">December 8, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/hot-corner/2013/12/9/5190254/get-hired-the-jack-zduriencik-wayJason Brannon