MLB Off-Topic

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

My main beef with advanced stats in baseball is when they are used as the end all and be all to judge players value.

Definitely agree with that, defensive metrics are still a ways off and even then it comes down to opinion. There's different sites doing different versions of WAR, defensive metrics contradicting each other and themselves, you can see even looking at the stats that it just comes down to how you weigh things.

I do think they're useful though, mainly the offensive ones. I think they're more useful in comparisons than traditional stats, especially as we fluctuate between eras. They normalize different variables and make things make sense, and they still play out. Everyone thought the best hitters ever were Ruth and Ted Williams, and that's who wRC+ says they are. That stat is the one that to me is the most definitive.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Re: Sabermetrics. I think it's more important to understand the basic concepts at work than the intricacies of the advanced stats.

You don't need to know what xFIP and wOBA are. But grasping that pitchers have little control over balls put in play or the importance of getting on base is key to understanding the game better. The whole point of the sabermetrics movement is to acquire information, glean insights from that information, and put it to use.

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Their existence? The way they're used? I see this a lot and I don't get it.

Honestly, the only thing that bothers me about them is how they have caused some to thumb their noses at others who don't understand them or haven't embraced them.

There were people on this site who turned me away from this specific forum for quite some time just because of how they acted towards others all too often.

When they really started to become mainstream it turned into some weird/creepy brotherhood.


Nothing about the advanced stats themselves bothers me at all.

[Redacted01]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I used to be pretty big into sabermetrics 10-15 years ago, but lost interest when I lost time. My opinion on it these days is too many people create a stat just to make their point. Sort of a "correlation does not mean causation" argument. They manage to find one stat that says what they want so they must be right, but as I think someone discussed earlier, they should be used in combination.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Under Armour is going to be the uniform supplier starting in 2020.

[AC]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

But are we talking about predicting the future? Or are we talking about who has been better (past tense)? Or who is better (present tense)? I already conceded that Miller has been a bit better and is better, but the whole tier below (or several tiers?) thing is not a concession I wish to make.

Doesn't matter to me, I'm going to take Miller for all of the above. I was just going to say what Chip Douglass said with a Miller slant.

The things that matter to me are strikeouts, walks, and keeping the ball out of the air. Miller has been much superior at these things, and will likely continue to be superior at these things. That's all I'm really arguing, though I know you know what the stats are so I can include specific figures.

[The Kid 24]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Under Armour is going to be the uniform supplier starting in 2020.

Very interesting... Excited to see what they will come up with.

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Under Armour is going to be the uniform supplier starting in 2020.

The uni snob thread gonna be jumping during the '19 offseason.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I think they'll be pretty calm with the MLB uniforms. This is their first pro sports deal, and they don't want to screw up.

I'm excited for Fanatics making the t-shirts and whatnot.

Look at this one already made by Fanatics.

[Redacted01]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

They better not touch Toronto's uniforms. Now that they're back the way they should be, leave them alone! I could see teams like the Marlins and Diamondbacks getting more creative than they already are.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Re: Sabermetrics. I think it's more important to understand the basic concepts at work than the intricacies of the advanced stats.

You don't need to know what xFIP and wOBA are. But grasping that pitchers have little control over balls put in play or the importance of getting on base is key to understanding the game better. The whole point of the sabermetrics movement is to acquire information, glean insights from that information, and put it to use.

That sounds good, but the RBI, HR bubble gum stats etc.. were the same way. An effort to acquire information, glean insights, and put it to use.

The issue at play here that some people have alluded to, is that there are old-timers who are stuck in their Triple Crown stat world and there are new-tymers who think their [insert fancy acronym here] stat is the best stat and everyone else is stupid for not seeing it their way. Both 'factions' are off putting in the extreme.

As others have mentioned, finding a balance of multiple stats (traditional and sabr) is key to arriving at a more complete understanding. And even then, we won't all agree on everything or who is better than who or who is HoF-worthy and who isn't.

[AC]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Both 'factions' are off putting in the extreme.

I don't think it has anything to do with any stats, old or new.

I think sports fans tend to be off-putting to people who they disagree with.

[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Under Armour is going to be the uniform supplier starting in 2020.

Huge hit to Majestic.

It's amazing how the sports world is owned by like 3 companies (Nike, Addidas, UA). I still remember the NFL having Russell athletic jerseys and all the NBA starter jackets from Champion.

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Huge hit to Majestic.

It's amazing how the sports world is owned by like 3 companies (Nike, Addidas, UA). I still remember the NFL having Russell athletic jerseys and all the NBA starter jackets from Champion.

The NFL also had Champion and Pro Player as well. I distinctly remember the Bills being outfited by Champion during their SB runs.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Almost exactly 12 years ago to the minute.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EMEylcp7E7s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The most important stolen base in Red Sox history.