2014 Team Firsts – AL Edition

Here’s a look back at the 2014 season, identifying singular statistical accomplishments for each team. This first installment looks at the American league.

More after the jump.

Starting in the East

Baltimore had no pitchers with 10 losses for the second season in a row. Those are the first such back-to-back campaigns for the Orioles in non-strike shortened seasons. Since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954, the Orioles have had no more than one pitcher with 10 losses in every season with a league or divisional championship.

New York had no players under 30 who qualified for the batting title. That had happened only once before, in 1983. The 2014 team gets the tie break, though, as none of its under 30 players had even 300 PA, the first such team in Yankee history.

Toronto got 11 or more wins from each of 5 starting pitchers (R.A. DickeyMark BuehrleDrew HutchisonJ.A. HappMarcus Stroman), the most in franchise history and the first time the Blue Jays have had four such starters since its two world championship teams in 1992 and 1993.

Tampa Bay had no players on its roster who batted .300, regardless of ABs, a franchise first. It’s also the first Rays team without a position player batting .300, regardless of ABs.

Boston got 50 games and 200 PA from two players (Xander Boegarts, Mookie Betts) aged 21 or younger, tied for the most in franchise history. It’s the first such Red Sox team since the bonus baby era when Tony Conigliaro and Dalton Jones turned the trick in consecutive seasons (1964-65). Of the three earlier teams, two featured a pair of HOFers: Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr in 1939; and Harry Hooper and Tris Speaker in 1909.

In the Central

Detroit had three players (Miguel CabreraJ.D. MartinezVictor Martinez) with 145 OPS+ in 400+ PA, tied for the most in franchise history, and the first such Tigers team since Ty Cobb was patrolling center-field. Among pitchers, Ian Krol appeared in 45 games, the most for a Tiger reliever without a decision.

Kansas City was the first league champion team in a non-strike shortened season to have no players with 20 home runs, none with 75 RBI, and none with 15 pitching wins.

Cleveland‘s Michael Brantley recorded 200 hits and exceeded 150 OPS+, the first such season by an Indian left-fielder. On the pitching side, Corey Kluber was the first Indian right-hander with 250 strikeouts and a SO/9 ratio exceeding 10.

Chicago had four players (Alejandro De AzaAdam DunnTyler FlowersDayan Viciedo) who batted under .250 with 100 strikeouts, twice as many as any previous White Sox team. On the pitching side, Chris Sale became the first Sox hurler since Wilbur Wood in 1971 to lead the AL in ERA+.

Minnesota had ten players with 200 PA and OPS+ of 100 or more, the most in franchise history. But, the Twins also had eight pitchers with 5 starts and ERA+ under 90, the third straight season with 7 or more such pitchers, a level achieved only once before then, way back in 1904.

And out West

Los Angeles had four relievers (Kevin JepsenMike MorinCory RasmusJoe Smith) with 50 IP and a 125 ERA+, tied with three other teams for the most in franchise history. Huston Street breaks the tie for the 2014 club, handily meeting those criteria for his full season of work, with an ERA+  exceeding 200 for both the Padres and Angels.

Oakland had no players on its roster who batted .280 in 100+ PA, only the fifth As team to reach that low-water mark and the first to do so while qualifying for the post-season. On the mound, Oakland boasted four relievers (Sean DoolittleDan OteroLuke GregersonFernando Abad) with 50 IP and a 135 ERA+, a franchise high and the third team with that many, all in the past six seasons (despite the proximity of those seasons, the twelve such pitchers on those three teams are all different).

Seattle catcher Mike Zunino stroked 22 home runs, more than twice the number hit by Gorman Thomas in 1986, the previous team high by a player batting under .200. Outfielder James Jones swiped 27 bags and was caught just once, the most stolen bases in a rookie season with fewer than 4 times caught stealing. On the mound,  Felix Hernandez became the first Mariner (and just the fifth live ball era pitcher) aged 28 or younger to surpass 2000 IP with a 130 career ERA+.

Houston second baseman Jose Altuve‘s 225 hits obliterated the previous Astro team record of 210, set by Craig Biggio in 1998. Altuve also became the first Astro to lead his league in Hits, BA and stolen bases, and the youngest to do so for any team since Ty Cobb.

Texas third basemen Adrian Beltre posted a 147 OPS+, just edging out Rafael Palmeiro for the highest mark in 400+ PA by a Ranger aged 35 or older. As a team, Texas hit just 111 home runs, their lowest total in almost 25 years and the lowest mark for any Ranger team with a BABIP exceeding .300.

What team accomplishments caught your eye in 2014?

22 thoughts on “2014 Team Firsts – AL Edition

  1. Paul E

    Doug,
    Not to spoil your imminent Phillies entry but I believe I heard or read somewhere that Utley, Rollins, Howard, and Byrd were the first foursome in MLB history over the age of 34 to attain 600 PA’s….that might help explain a less than .500 record

    Reply
    1. Doug Post author

      Actually, you read that here at HHS, when I pointed it out as a strong possibility heading into the final month of the season.

      Reply
  2. Artie Z.

    It has probably been commented on a bunch, but while looking at the Royals page during the playoffs the durability of their players always struck me as amazing. The Royals tied a record with 9 players having 130+ games and 500+ PAs. Only 3 other teams in history (2007 Red Sox, 2005 Indians, and 1982 Angels) did both.

    Only 3 other teams in history had 9 players with 500+ PAs (but not 130+ games), and only 8 other teams had 9 players with 130+ games (but not 500+ PAs).

    The 1982 Angels were probably the most remarkable of the teams to accomplish the 130 games and 500 PAs feat. The youngest regular player on that team was Fred Lynn, who was 30. They won the AL West that year; naturally, the next year they collapsed. What’s also interesting about that team is that not one player was homegrown – they weren’t all free agent signings, but it seems like many of them might have been Finleyesque “let’s move them before free agency” trades.

    Reply
    1. Doug Post author

      That Angels team looked like it was cruising to the World Series after it easily handled the Brewers at home in the first two games of the best-of-five ALCS (which I remember because I attended those games). Looked like a completely different team when the Brewers swept them in Milwaukee.

      But, I guess it shouldn’t have been a surprise – the Angels were 52-29 at home, but only 41-40 on the road. Which is surprising, given all the veterans on that team, which had four new starters (Foli at SS, DeCinces at 3B, Boone at C, Jackson in RF) from the 1981 squad.

      Reply
  3. PaulE

    Sorry, there, Doug. My balding pate and silver hair are a testimony to the senility that lurks within.
    How about this one:
    Bossman Junior Upton had the worst EVER combined age 28–29 seasons per OPS+amongst all OFers with 900 or more PAs……..EVER

    Reply
  4. brp

    That Twins information ins crazy… I thought Target Field was a pitcher’s park, but apparently not. Likely I’m just associating Mauer’s power outage with the move there and assumed it applied to everyone.

    Park adjustment (single- and multi-year) shows it’s a hitter’s park, but still, I doubt many would have pegged the Twins at 2nd in OBP or 5th in OPS in the American League.

    Reply
    1. Dr. Doom

      Okay, as someone married to a big Twins fan, and as someone who has watched a LOT of Twins games over the past 8-9 years, I have to be “that guy” when it comes to talking about this stuff.

      First, Joe Mauer has NOT had a “power outage” in Target Field. He had one CRAZY HR year… but he was never even close to that kind of power before or since. He’s cracked double digits in HR 4 times in his career, and two of those were in Target Field. He also has two 9-HR seasons, and one of those was in Target Field.

      Second, while Minnesota had a high OPS and OBP this year, that was fueled largely by walking. Now, walking is good. But when it’s your ONLY ability, that’s NOT so good. The Twins did hit a lot of doubles, but they were average in triples and below average in HR. That all adds up to a below-average SLG. In BB, though, they were second in the AL to only Oakland.

      Finally, Target Field is a hitter’s park, but it’s not a HR park, and I think that’s one of the things that’s confusing about it. While more runs scored in Target Field this year during Twins games than on the road (787 runs at Target Field for Twins+Opponents, 705 runs away for Twins+Opponents), the number of HR was not at all commensurate with the rise in scoring (139 HR at Target Field, 136 away). And this year was unusual in comparison to the previous years at Target Field. Check out the previous HR disparities:

      2013: 142 @Target, 177 away
      2012: 167 @Target, 161 away
      2011: 126 @Target, 138 away
      2010: 116 @Target, 181 away

      Only in 2010 and 2011 were there actually more runs scored away from Target Field than at target field. Otherwise, it has been a park with more runs, in spite of fewer HR. And that’s really confusing, because I think when most of us think “hitter’s park,” we think “Lots of HR,” not “spacious outfield that’s good for doubles and bloop singles.” So I think most of us THINK of it as a pitcher’s park because it seems to somewhat suppress home runs, when in fact it plays mostly neutral, but slightly hitter-friendly without HR. It’s an interesting (and GORGEOUS) ballpark.

      Reply
  5. RJ

    Something I noticed a while ago but have only just got around to checking: the Orioles fielded no players who were in their age 34 season or higher this year. Alas, this is not a team first, but it is only the second time in franchise history this has occurred.

    The first occurrence was in 1968 where only Fred Valentine was even in his age 33 year and pitcher Moe Drabowsky, in his age 32 year, was the only hurler older than 28. That team was prevented from repeating this feat in ’69 by the addition of 38-year-old Dick Hall.

    In fact, the 1968 team is the only other in franchise history featuring no position players in their age 34+ years.

    Reply
  6. John Autin

    Michael Brantley also had the first 7-WAR year by a Cleveland LF, and the only one by a corner outfielder in MLB over the last three years.

    7-WAR years by position, 2012-14:
    3B — 7
    CF — 6
    2B — 2
    1B, C and LF — 1

    Dropping the threshold to 6 WAR:
    3B — 11
    CF — 8
    2B — 6
    1B, C and LF — 4
    RF — 3
    SS — 1 (Simmons)

    Reply
    1. RJ

      The Play Index is calling Brantley’s season 6.9 WAR for whatever reason, but if we go with what it says on his player page then…

      7 WAR seasons by corner outfielders:

      – 2005-2014: 8
      – 1995-2004: 25
      – 1985-1994: 15
      – 1975-1984: 6
      – 1965-1974: 24
      – 1955-1964: 18
      – 1945-1954: 15
      – 1935-1944: 9
      – 1925-1934: 18
      – 1915-1924: 9
      – 1905-1914: 5

      Reply
      1. Richard Chester

        RJ: If you set the PI for WAR equal to or greater than 7 for corner OF from 2005-2014 7 names show up and Brantley’s is not one of them. If you set it for 6.9 then Brantley’s name shows up with WAR = 7.0. Ditto for Carl Crawford making it 9 corner outfielders. Brantley’s WAR is probably between 6.950… and 6.999… thereby missing the 7.0 cut-off.

        Reply
        1. bstar

          Richard, here’s another wrinkle.

          Run a search for LF with seasonal WAR between 6.95 and 7.0. Three names show up — Crawford 2010 at 7.0, Brantley at 7.0 for 2014, and Ryan Braun 2012 at…6.9! (both by P-I and player page).

          For Braun to be listed at 6.9 by both sources but still show up in a search for 6.95 to 7.0 must mean that Ryan’s 2012 WAR is between 6.945 and 6.950. Does that sound right, Richard?

          Reply
          1. Richard Chester

            I ran WAR at 6.95 and Braun’s name showed up at 6.9 (for 2012). Then I ran WAR at 6.951 and Braun’s name (for 2012) did not show up. I also ran WAR equal to or less than 6.949 and Braun’s name (for 2012) did not show up. So it looks like Braun’s 2012 WAR was 6.950 and rounded off to 6.9.

          2. John Autin

            Richard @17 is right. I realized a while ago that while B-R displays WAR values only to the first decimal place, more precise values are stored, and the P-I searches on those precise values. I wish that weren’t so, but I’ve learned to use “6.96” when I want “7.0.”

            My question is, shouldn’t 6.95 round *up* to 7.0? I was taught that 0 to 0.49999… rounds down, while 0.5 to 0.99999… rounds up. That’s an even, logical split. Have the rounding rules changed? If so, why?

          3. RJ

            JA, my guess is that by truncating and not rounding numbers, the PI is assuring that its search results are correct to however many decimal places. If I search for players with 7 WAR or greater, then it should not be returning players with 6.5-6.99… WAR. Those numbers may round to 7, but in their pure form they are not actually equal to or greater than 7.

          4. bstar

            John…that’s my point! Something is amiss.

            Richard: the linear weights used in WAR are all irrational numbers. It is very close to impossible for someone’s WAR to hit EXACTLY on a number, whether it be an integer or a tenth of a WAR or a hundredth. So the 6.95 is not Braun’s actual WAR; it represents a number that has been rounded. It is virtually impossible that Ryan Braun’s WAR is exactly 6.95 with 100 zeroes after the 5.

            If you run a search for LF with a seasonal WAR of exactly 6.97, Brantley and Crawford show up. Again, these are rounded numbers. So we’ve got Braun at 6.95 and Crawford/Brantley at 6.97, to the nearest hundredth.

            Two possible scenarios for Ryan:

            1. Braun’s WAR is between 6.945 and 6.94999. Following general math rules, that would round to 6.95 to the nearest hundredth but 6.9 to the nearest tenth.

            2. Braun’s WAR is between 6.950 and 6.954999. With normal rounding, that translates again to 6.95 to the nearest hundredth but also rounds to 7.0 to the nearest tenth.

            Since Braun’s WAR to the nearest tenth is listed at 6.9, it HAS to be scenario #1.

          5. John Autin

            RJ @19 — I think the P-I is *not* simply operating on truncated WAR values. Here are 2012 search results for WAR “less than or equal to”:
            — 6.949 … No Braun.
            — 6.9499 … No Braun.
            — 6.94999 … No Braun.
            — 6.949999 … No Braun.
            — 6.9499999 … There’s Braun!

            That puts Braun’s WAR somewhere between 6.9499990 and 6.9499999.

            Further searching on “less than or equal to”:
            — 6.9499997 … No Braun
            — 6.9499998 … There’s Braun!

            So the P-I is still making distinctions out to the 7th decimal place. All these figures are less than 6.95 — yet, Braun DOES turn up in searches for “equals 6.95” or “equal or greater than 6.95.”

            The P-I is not truncating my typed search criterion, at least not by the 7th decimal place. And if it were truncating Braun’s WAR, it could not place him *both* “less than” and “equal or greater than” 6.95.

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