|
|
|
|
Baseball Primer Newsblog— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand
Monday, November 21, 2011
Can You Take Another Dose of PERCEPTO?...for Furman Bisher Has Been Unleashed Once Again!
This is, of course, a reflection of my vintage, but it strikes me as being totally sinful that the Rookie of the Year in the National League is a pitcher who played only one inning at a time. True indeed, that Casey Kimbrel played his part in the Braves’ charge toward the National League pennant, but consider where they might have finished without Freddie Freeman’s daily appearance at first base. This “closer” thing has become a baseball disease. Freeman was in the lineup every day, with a .282 batting average, 76 RBI—only Dan Uggla drove in more — 21 home runs, 32 doubles and a bulwark of defense at first base. Kimbrel—an inning at a time, nicely done. I’m repeating myself, I know, but I never have, and never will cast my Hall of Fame vote for a “closer.” Never.
|
Bookmarks
You must be logged in to view your Bookmarks.
Hot Topics
Newsblog: OMNICHATTER for MAY 20, 2013 (81 - 9:29pm, May 20)Last: Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious TwiddleNewsblog: OT: NBA Monthly Thread - May 2013 (980 - 9:28pm, May 20)Last:  Der_KNewsblog: [OTP-May] Politico: Congressional baseball game, May 1, 1926 (3519 - 9:28pm, May 20)Last:  Joe KehoskieNewsblog: Hal Steinbrenner calls tickets 'affordable' (27 - 9:27pm, May 20)Last: madvillainNewsblog: Joe Maddon calls ump's position 'baseball anarchy' (5 - 9:25pm, May 20)Last: Double-Spin MechanicNewsblog: OT: NHL is finally back thread (352 - 9:18pm, May 20)Last:  Borussia, Du bist so wunderschön! (Mark Edward)Newsblog: Sherman: Mets' roster of rubbish makes it impossible to evaluate Collins (37 - 9:16pm, May 20)Last: ConorNewsblog: Draft Features Rarest of Prospects: Redheads (106 - 8:43pm, May 20)Last:  Voros McCracken of PinkusNewsblog: Rosenthal: Ax to fall soon for LA's Mattingly (82 - 8:42pm, May 20)Last: Eric J can SABER all he wants toNewsblog: Cafardo: Dustin Pedroia the best second baseman in MLB? (116 - 8:25pm, May 20)Last:  Darnell McDonald had a farmNewsblog: BBTF SOFTBALL GAME IN NEW YORK--AUG 17 (309 - 8:04pm, May 20)Last:  AndrewJNewsblog: Heyman: Miggy-Trout debate rages on, but Cabrera wins all here (147 - 8:02pm, May 20)Last:  FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substanceNewsblog: Hochman: Dallas Green still tells it like it is (14 - 5:53pm, May 20)Last: Mike EmeighNewsblog: OT: The Soccer Thread, May 2013 (975 - 5:47pm, May 20)Last:  Crispix Attacks 2: Swag AirlinesNewsblog: Williams: Discover one of baseball's forgotten streaks (17 - 5:44pm, May 20)Last: Steve Treder
|
|
Reader Comments and Retorts
Go to end of page
Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.
1. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: November 21, 2011 at 12:54 PM (#3998343)Troy Percival: 96
Trevor Hoffman: 97
Billy Wagner: 97
Jonathan Papelbon: 105+
Casey Kimbrel: 113+
Mariano Rivera: ?
Great Martha's Garters! How could they give ANY award to someone from the AL?!?!? None of those bastards play real baseball!
Furthermore, is ROY supposed to be "most-valuable rookie" or "best rookie"?
Not sure what you're asking. It's quite clear that RoY is awarded based on "best-performing rookie" which is close to "most valuable" but the whole "has to be from a contending team" thing doesn't play much of a role. "Potential" plays virtually no role at all.
If you're going for an argument that Kimbrel performed at a higher level while being less valuable, I suppose there's a reasonable argument there but I don't think it's one that's been employed often in RoY voting.
But, yeah, I see nothing to disagree with in that excerpt.
he was something like 7 runs better than Collmenter over 70-80 innings, then Collmenter also pitched another 70 innings as a league average pitcher. Not comparable, Collmenter was better.
Agreed. I am quite ok with prioritizing "top performer" over "most value" in the Rookie of the Year voting. I don't think the Rookie of the Year voting has to follow the MVP award's focus on production and value.
That being said, I don't disagree with Bisher at all here. He is completely right. Freeman's role was certainly more valuable and it is probably more difficult for a rookie to adjust to playing 9 innings every day over a 162 game season than it is for a reliever to throw an inning every few days, though of course Fredi tried his damnedest to have Kimbrel throw every darn day. And Freeman was pretty darn good this year.
There is nothing wrong with either approach, but I think we should be giving Bisher credit for being completely right about the "closer as a baseball disease" thing. So many "old school" sportswriters get blasted on here, sometimes rightfully so, for worrying too much about "proven closers" but Bisher is so damn old school that he still treasures baseball without 'em. I love it.
You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.
<< Back to main