No Paul Sullivan, you are not correct

[kroth1342]

Trib:

 

The Cubs entered Tuesday's game with a .276 batting average in the second half, best in the National League. Yet they still ranked only 15th for the season in runs scored, due largely to a consistent lack of clutch hitting.

 

It could be that, but I think the more likely culprit for our lack of run scoring ability is our .326 OBP during that time, ranking 14th in the NL. Our SLG is not a problem, .449 good for 3rd in the league.

 

To recap:

 

2nd BA

3rd SLG

14th OBP

15th Runs Scored

 

Getting the point, Jim?

[goonys evil twin]

Trib:

 

The Cubs entered Tuesday's game with a .276 batting average in the second half, best in the National League. Yet they still ranked only 15th for the season in runs scored, due largely to a consistent lack of clutch hitting.

 

It could be that, but I think the more likely culprit for our lack of run scoring ability is our .326 OBP during that time, ranking 14th in the NL. Our SLG is not a problem, .449 good for 3rd in the league.

 

To recap:

 

2nd BA

3rd SLG

14th OBP

15th Runs Scored

 

Getting the point, Jim?

 

Those 2nd half numbers mirror the numbers for the past several years, and during that time, the Cubs have fluctuated between good and bad "in the clutch". It is astonishing to me how many people are either incapable, or unwilling, to see the correlation between the lack of OBP (due entirely to a lack of walks) and the lack of runs scored. It's mind bogglingly ignorant on their part.

[CubinNY]

Trib:

 

The Cubs entered Tuesday's game with a .276 batting average in the second half, best in the National League. Yet they still ranked only 15th for the season in runs scored, due largely to a consistent lack of clutch hitting.

 

It could be that, but I think the more likely culprit for our lack of run scoring ability is our .326 OBP during that time, ranking 14th in the NL. Our SLG is not a problem, .449 good for 3rd in the league.

 

To recap:

 

2nd BA

3rd SLG

14th OBP

15th Runs Scored

 

Getting the point, Jim?

 

I see a correlation! Bill James made the point a few years ago with a mountain of data. Any one with an once of critical thinking could see it.

 

The Cubs BA w/RiSP is only .10 points lower than their overall BA (.259/.269)

Edited September 20, 2006 by CubinNY

[Fred Hornkohl]

Our "clutch hitting" since the all start break has been significantly better than the first half of the season........

 

CUBS               AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS  BDI  LOB   RBI%
04/03 - 07/09    3007  357  795  134   24   77 1208  324  215  477  0.264  0.316  0.402  0.718  247 1119  0.181
07/14 - 09/19    2226  302  613  115   15   80  998  291  157  377  0.275  0.326  0.448  0.775  211  814  0.206

04/03 - 09/19    5233  659 1408  249   39  157 2206  615  372  854  0.269  0.320  0.422  0.742  458 1933  0.192

 

Before the ASG we scored 4.06 R/G, after the ASG...... 4.71 R/G.

 

Before the ASG we scored 0.346 R/baserunner, after the ASG..... 0.384.

 

Our offense produced more in almost every category after the all-star break as compared to the first half..... but our .326 OBP still sucks !!!

[halplm]

no, you just don't get it! Walks "CLOG" the bases. That makes it harder for fast guys to score runs. You can't advance with your speed if there's a guy on the base in front of you.

 

If two guys walk, how's a speedy guy going to be able to lay down a bunt for a single? I mean, they can go to any base in that situation! You have to leave the bases open so speedy guys can get around them.

 

And don't forget, the most likely guys to get walks are the power hitters, who get "pitched around" We need those guys hitting home runs, or knocking our speedy guys in from first after they get their bunt singles. We can't afford for them to just be hanging out on first base, waiting for the speedy guys to come up to bat again!

 

All this team needs is better clutch hitting. WE need to hit those doubles and triples after our speedy guys get on first. We can't afford to just hit singles and knock guys that have walked over to second in. No, that doesn't score enough runs. We need more timely hitting, like home runs with the bases empty (so the guy doesn't get slowed up in his home run trot), or sac fly's when a speedy guy has stolen third!

[KingCubsFan]

Trib:

 

The Cubs entered Tuesday's game with a .276 batting average in the second half, best in the National League. Yet they still ranked only 15th for the season in runs scored, due largely to a consistent lack of clutch hitting.

 

It could be that, but I think the more likely culprit for our lack of run scoring ability is our .326 OBP during that time, ranking 14th in the NL. Our SLG is not a problem, .449 good for 3rd in the league.

 

To recap:

 

2nd BA

3rd SLG

14th OBP

15th Runs Scored

 

Getting the point, Jim?

This seems to disprove Jim's theory that hitters have a high OBP because they're good hitters and hit for a high batting average.

Where are we in stolen bases? Maybe we just need more speed...

[BigbadB]

BA with runners on or in scoring position does factor into the big picture, but how anyone can ignore that:

 

The Cubs rank 29th in MLB in plate appearances with runners on base.

 

The Yankees have had 413 more plate appearances with runners on base than the Cubs, yet only 30 more total at bats than the Cubs.

 

The walk is quite huge in the big picture. And it doesn't take a 200m payroll to build a roster with a good OBP.

[BeerHere]

It is so frustrating to love this team.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That is just a fantastic thread title. Someone should photoshop that onto a Dr. Seuss book or something.

[kroth1342]

That is just a fantastic thread title. Someone should photoshop that onto a Dr. Seuss book or something.

 

Thank you.

[TruffleShuffle]

Morons like Sullivan are part of the reason that the general public lets Hendry get away with nonsense like placing more emphasis on BA w/RISP than on OBP.

[kroth1342]

Trib:

 

The Cubs entered Tuesday's game with a .276 batting average in the second half, best in the National League. Yet they still ranked only 15th for the season in runs scored, due largely to a consistent lack of clutch hitting.

 

It could be that, but I think the more likely culprit for our lack of run scoring ability is our .326 OBP during that time, ranking 14th in the NL. Our SLG is not a problem, .449 good for 3rd in the league.

 

To recap:

 

2nd BA

3rd SLG

14th OBP

15th Runs Scored

 

Getting the point, Jim?

This seems to disprove Jim's theory that hitters have a high OBP because they're good hitters and hit for a high batting average.

Where are we in stolen bases? Maybe we just need more speed...

 

We're 5th in SB, but with the 4th most CS, leaves us with a SB% of 71% 8th best in the NL.

 

You're right, we probably need more speed. Lots and lots of speed.

[Sammy Sofa]

Lack of clutch hitting.

 

Not enough hustle.

 

Need more guys who put the ball in play.

 

Walks clog the bases.

 

The list keeps on growing...

[JGalt73]

Right behing the Cubs with the 13th worst BA w/RISP are the Phillies who lead the league in runs scored, and oh yeah, have a 25 point higher OBP.

[A New Era]

That is just a fantastic thread title. Someone should photoshop that onto a Dr. Seuss book or something.

 

No Paul Sullivan, you are not correct.

There's one thing I've come to expect

Your words I must deflect

You surely get no respect

 

Can you stand erect?

Can your thoughts, you reflect?

You write your columns with neglect.

They come out with no effect.

[TruffleShuffle]

Right behing the Cubs with the 13th worst BA w/RISP are the Phillies who lead the league in runs scored, and oh yeah, have a 25 point higher OBP.

 

This is the kind of information that needs to be thrown at the Cubs management on a daily basis.

[Soriano12]

I'm gonna defend Sullivan here.

 

You have to understand he is writing these columns with Hendry and Mc.Failures looking over his shoulder. Don't you remember the reports

that these two chastized him earlier this year?

 

The lack of clutch hitting excuse has been used by both Hendry and Failure on the radio.

 

Paul knows damn well the OBP ranking is huge issue with this team.

 

 

So the only thing I can bag on him for is not standing up to the jerks

at the the Tribune company. But consider, its a good gig for him. He is probably pulling in close to 6 figures. For that kinda money I would have no problem writing Cubs puff piece articles for the Tribune.