For those in APBA leagues and those considering replaying the 2011 season, this post on High Heat Stats be of interest. It will probably just confirm what we’ve already suspected… MLB offense was down across the board.
I knew offense was down but not to this extent perhaps not this pervasive. Runs were down (lowest since 1992), batting averages were down, even walks were down. Strikeouts, of course, were at all time high.
To me this reduction in offense over recent years is a direct result of the steroid era going away. The one interesting stat that is contrary to my point is strikeouts rising….this may be due to so many teams focusing on improving their pitching staffs, the growth of specialization e.g. Starters, Middle relief, 7th, 8th inning specialists and of course closers.
Jack, I agree with your points. And for the most part, I see it as a good thing. Not just because there are less performance enhancers in the game. I’m one of those who like lower scoring games anyway. Every game doesn’t have to be 1-0 but slugfests everyday can indeed get boring.
Also, when every player doesn’t hit 25 homeruns, I see more importance being paid to speed, defense and the fundamentals of the game.
Can anyone find a World’s Champion without at least one B or better starting pitcher? I think the ’11 Cards are the first. I’m an APBA dinosaur so I don’t relate to numbered pitcher’s grades (and since I started playing in ’57 I don’t use cards with double collums – anybody want to buy some unused cards?)