Author Archives: Doug

End of the Ironman

Manny Machado led the majors in 2015 with 153 complete games played. That’s the lowest leading total in an expansion era full-length season, and the 11th straight year that a player has led the majors with fewer than 160 complete games played. Except for Richie Ashburn‘s 152 total in 1956, Machado’s 153 mark also fails to beat the majors-leading total in every full-length pre-expansion season since the 154 game schedule was adopted in 1904.

More on the decline of the ironman after the jump.

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Daniel Murphy and Making Contact Count

Daniel Murphy‘s history-making run of 6 consecutive post-season games with a home run is one of this October’s most notable stories.Less well-known, perhaps, is Murphy’s prowess in making contact, ranking 2nd (first in the NL) in making contact on 92% of his swings, and leading all of baseball with a batted ball in play (AB – SO + SH + SF) in 86.8% of his PAs.

But, when you take in this year’s Fall Classic, remember to cast a glance at the Royals’ second baseman too. Ben Zobrist is no slouch himself when it comes to making contact. More on Murphy, Zobrist and contact hitters after the jump.

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Circle of Greats Redemption Round #10

This Circle of Greats (COG) vote is not to induct anyone into the Circle, but only to select three players who will be restored back to the main ballot after having been previously dropped from eligibility. This tenth and last “redemption round” (we’ve been holding such redemption rounds interspersed among the regular voting rounds every tenth voting round or so) gives voters a chance to reconsider past candidates who have previously fallen off the regular induction ballots.

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Wednesday’s wild 7th inning: believe it or not, it’s déja vu

Wednesday’s final game of the ALDS between Toronto and Texas, particularly the bizarre happenings in the 7th inning, has the makings of a legendary post-season contest. While it has been said that there hasn’t been a post-season game like it before and probably won’t be again, there are more than passing similarities to another October game from a number of years ago, 98 to be exact.

More after the jump on a weird Wednesday in Toronto, and another odd game many Octobers ago.

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