Everyone who says Pujols should be the MVP..

[EastonBlues22]

No,Derrek made a fundamental change in his batting approach that has contibuted to his success this year. I think the days of Derrek being a .270 hitter are over. He won't hit .370 every year, but for the next few seasons, I'd be surprised if he didn't hit .300+.

I agree with you...the adjustment that Lee made was outstanding. There are a few other hitters this year who've closed some holes in their swings who have also taken their game to accompletely new level.

 

Still, eventually pitchers will figure out a way to limit the damage with adjustments of their own...or confidence will be lost for some reason...or an injury will nag and force a hitter to change their mechanics. Players always have some lows to go with their highs. Ichiro batted .266 though May and June over 222 ABs...who ever would have thought that was possible? Brian Roberts is batting .258 in July after three torrid months. It's just the nature of the game.

 

Brian Roberts is not a physically gifted as Derrek Lee, and that does count for something.

 

But you can hope. The reality is that the chances of Albert catching Lee for the batting title are remote at best. Derrek had a torrid first half, and he is a second half player, and always has been. He has showed no signs of slowing down, and has a massive lead.

Eh, I'm not hoping at all...I really don't give two farts about the triple crown race. I just want my team to win, get in the playoffs, and have a shot at the Series.

 

I was just trying to point out that the BA race wasn't as over and done as a lot of people seem to think it is. Anytime someone can bat their career average the rest of the way out and finish at a point lower than your main competitors career average, it's not all but over. Especially when the "second half" player in question batted .249 in the second half last year after a .304 start.

[Catman61]

But you can hope. The reality is that the chances of Albert catching Lee for the batting title are remote at best.

Not all that remote, a .300 avg for Lee and Pujols continuing at his career avg pace makes for a neck in neck race.

 

 

Derrek had a torrid first half, and he is a second half player, and always has been. He has showed no signs of slowing down, and has a massive lead.

Lee did have a torrid 1st half but saying he is a 2nd half player and always has been is a bit of a misnomer. His 3 year splits show a 10 point lower avg in the 2nd half (.277 - .267) His career splits show a 7 point higher avg (.273 - .280) but 16 point lower OPS (.866 - .850)

 

June & July have historically been Lee's 2 best by a good margin, June being 28 points better than July and July being 18 points better than the 3rd best month of Sep. So it is not a surprise that he hasn't slowed down much in July.

 

Pujols is a 2nd half player with a higher AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS in the 2nd half (+17/+16/+25/+41)

 

Albert may or may not catch Derrek in the batting race but with 68 games and approx 250 AB, I wouldn't say the chances are "remote at best"

[UK1679666180]

All of those figures would have never predicted Lee to perform as well as he has thru 95 or so games. What are the odds of a .275 hitter hitting at a .375 clip for this period of time? Odd how baseball works...

[vaball]

The fact that Lee is keeping up this absurd season astounds me. I don't think Pujols will be able to win the batting title. Nor do I think Lee will win the triple crown, though he doesn't seem to be slowing down. But he can't stay this hot for an entire season, can he?

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

Sammy Sosa says hi.

[vaball]

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

Sammy Sosa says hi.

 

Ah, yes, forgot about Sammy. I saw him in that Orioles game yesterday. He looks tiny now compared to a few years ago.

[TruffleShuffle]

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

Sammy Sosa says hi.

 

Ah, yes, forgot about Sammy. I saw him in that Orioles game yesterday. He looks tiny now compared to a few years ago.

 

That's because him and Giambi stopped going to all those fast food places together.

[vaball]

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

Sammy Sosa says hi.

 

Ah, yes, forgot about Sammy. I saw him in that Orioles game yesterday. He looks tiny now compared to a few years ago.

 

That's because him and Giambi stopped going to all those fast food places together.

 

Don't forget Pudge Rod. Yes, there is no proof, but is there any doubt these guys were on steroids? McGwire got all that heat for "not wanting to talk about the past," but the rest of those guys just straight up lied in front of Congress and seemed to get off scott free in the media.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The fact that Lee is keeping up this absurd season astounds me. I don't think Pujols will be able to win the batting title. Nor do I think Lee will win the triple crown, though he doesn't seem to be slowing down. But he can't stay this hot for an entire season, can he?

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

While I don't expect Lee to be this good next season, he does seem to have made adjustments which lead me to believe that he could perform at a very high level next season and beyond.

[The Voice of Reason]

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

Sammy Sosa says hi.

 

Ah, yes, forgot about Sammy. I saw him in that Orioles game yesterday. He looks tiny now compared to a few years ago.

 

What's been McGwire's secret to his lost bulk? Slimfast?

[vaball]

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

Sammy Sosa says hi.

 

Ah, yes, forgot about Sammy. I saw him in that Orioles game yesterday. He looks tiny now compared to a few years ago.

 

What's been McGwire's secret to his lost bulk? Slimfast?

 

Haven't you been banned yet?

[The Voice of Reason]

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

Sammy Sosa says hi.

 

Ah, yes, forgot about Sammy. I saw him in that Orioles game yesterday. He looks tiny now compared to a few years ago.

 

What's been McGwire's secret to his lost bulk? Slimfast?

 

Haven't you been banned yet?

 

Mr. Vaball - I'd appreciate it if you weren't inflammatory. Thanks.

[vaball]

 

Anyone think this is going to carry over into next year? I don't think so. But if it does, it will probably mark the greatest career turnaround in history.

 

Sammy Sosa says hi.

 

Ah, yes, forgot about Sammy. I saw him in that Orioles game yesterday. He looks tiny now compared to a few years ago.

 

What's been McGwire's secret to his lost bulk? Slimfast?

 

Haven't you been banned yet?

 

Mr. Vaball - I'd appreciate it if you weren't inflammatory. Thanks.

 

Deadpan humor at its finest.

[treebird]

ive got to start coming to rivalries more often

 

keep the sassy repartee coming

[PujolsPower]

The reality is that the chances of Albert catching Lee for the batting title are remote at best. Derrek had a torrid first half, and he is a second half player, and always has been. He has showed no signs of slowing down, and has a massive lead.

 

What kind of odds would you be willing to against Pujols finishing ahead of Lee in batting average?

[Brian]

I believe Lee has really turned it around, and has become a true great hitter (as in .300 - .325 every year). He had a well documented hole in his swing, and he's closed it up and made it a strength.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I believe Lee has really turned it around, and has become a true great hitter (as in .300 - .325 every year). He had a well documented hole in his swing, and he's closed it up and made it a strength.

 

I agree. Last year, he was susceptible (sp?) to the inside pitch on his hands. This year, he's driving those balls hard. I think that unless pitchers can find another weakness, he will have a couple of years well above the career norms he had going into this season.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Just curious... so what does everyone think Lee will do next year?

 

I'm thinking .310 (with walk pretty much same as this year)-40-110ish?

 

Speaking of players who seem to blow up out of nowhere... how about Melvin Mora?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Just curious... so what does everyone think Lee will do next year?

 

I'm thinking .310 (with walk pretty much same as this year)-40-110ish?

 

Speaking of players who seem to blow up out of nowhere... how about Melvin Mora?

 

I'm thinking Lee will hit in the 315-325 range, with a 380-400 OPS, and a 550-600 SLG.

[SouthSideRyan]

Just curious... so what does everyone think Lee will do next year?

 

I'm thinking .310 (with walk pretty much same as this year)-40-110ish?

 

Speaking of players who seem to blow up out of nowhere... how about Melvin Mora?

 

Mora whatever, he must be on steroids. He'll probably start to become unproductive when he becomes an old man too. CHEATER.

[vaball]

.296/.382/.550 41 HR

[vaball]

Just curious... so what does everyone think Lee will do next year?

 

I'm thinking .310 (with walk pretty much same as this year)-40-110ish?

 

Speaking of players who seem to blow up out of nowhere... how about Melvin Mora?

 

I'm thinking Lee will hit in the 315-325 range, with a 380-400 OPS, and a 550-600 SLG.

 

Hey we're pretty close except for the BA

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Just curious... so what does everyone think Lee will do next year?

 

I'm thinking .310 (with walk pretty much same as this year)-40-110ish?

 

Speaking of players who seem to blow up out of nowhere... how about Melvin Mora?

 

I'm thinking Lee will hit in the 315-325 range, with a 380-400 OPS, and a 550-600 SLG.

 

Hey we're pretty close except for the BA

 

creepy :shock:

[vaball]

Just curious... so what does everyone think Lee will do next year?

 

I'm thinking .310 (with walk pretty much same as this year)-40-110ish?

 

Speaking of players who seem to blow up out of nowhere... how about Melvin Mora?

 

I'm thinking Lee will hit in the 315-325 range, with a 380-400 OPS, and a 550-600 SLG.

 

Hey we're pretty close except for the BA

 

creepy :shock:

 

A little bit.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Just curious... so what does everyone think Lee will do next year?

 

I'm thinking .310 (with walk pretty much same as this year)-40-110ish?

 

Speaking of players who seem to blow up out of nowhere... how about Melvin Mora?

 

I'm thinking Lee will hit in the 315-325 range, with a 380-400 OPS, and a 550-600 SLG.

 

Hey we're pretty close except for the BA

 

Which means you think he'll get on more via walks and I think he'll walk less but hit more. It's all about the same.