Tom Boswell is Misguided
It's this kind of thinking that drives me crazy.
It's this kind of thinking that brings me back from the brink.
From Boswell:
All of the encompassing offensive stats __and there's little difference between Total Average, Runs Created, OPS and others__ run the risk of overvaluing walks and singles while undervaluing the bases-clearly game-changing power of extra base hits. So, sometimes, you have to underline the obvious; for example, a first baseman with 146 RBI is "more valuable," especially when he plays on a first-place team, than a first baseman (Pujols) with 116 RBI on a fourth-place team.
He followed that with this:
Don't analyze beyond that. True, Howard can't field (19 errors). And Pujols outhit him by .357 to .251. Howard strikes out a ton while Pujols walks constantly. But none of it outweighs Howard's RBI total, built on his .320 average with runners in scoring position. For what it's worth, Howard wasn't even in the top half dozen in baseball in runners-on-base when he came to the plate. His 146 RBI wasn't a fluke. He's Mr. Multi-Run Homer.
I'm glad Boswell isn't the general manager of my team.
There were too many arguments from Posnanski refuting this way of thinking to list here, but Joe basically told Tom to look beyond the sexy stats and really dig around to find the MVP. And I don't think I have to go into reasons to pick Pujols over Howard last year, especially around here.
I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and way of thinking, but Boswell seems to be pretty misguided in his article. I realize this post revisits old arguments, but to choose Howard over Pujols based on RBI (a very team-dependent stat) and HR is ridiculous. Hopefully Boswell can cure himself of this backwards thinking and come to a realization that it makes for a better MVP if you choose the all-around better player on a mediocre team than someone with one or two better stats in sexier categories that played for a team full of superstars and above-average players.
Good thing Joe Posnanski was there to come to the rescue. I'm glad there is someone with some sense writing for a well-known publication that reaches the masses. At least, I hope a lot of people read Joe.
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16 comments
Comments
Do you think you can pick out a few quotes from those articles that can highlight what he said?
by Wilder. on Jun 19, 2009 10:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll get right on that.
Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997
by JLProck on Jun 19, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This isn't new news, but still fun.
Don’t analyze beyond that. True, Howard can’t field (19 errors). And Pujols outhit him by .357 to .251. Howard strikes out a ton while Pujols walks constantly. But none of it outweighs Howard’s RBI total, built on his .320 average with runners in scoring position. For what it’s worth, Howard wasn’t even in the top half dozen in baseball in runners-on-base when he came to the plate. His 146 RBI wasn’t a fluke. He’s Mr. Multi-Run Homer.
by abender20 on Jun 19, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I love when people argue against themself.
Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997
by JLProck on Jun 19, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Themselves?
Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997
by JLProck on Jun 19, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In addition to all the great arguments Posnanski made, Pujols would win even based on this guy's own completely fucking stupid criteria.
overvaluing walks and singles while undervaluing the bases-clearly game-changing power of extra base hits.
2008 Howard: 78 XBH
2008 Pujols: 81 XBH
The fact that this guy is paid money to write this crap is kind of offensive.
by Vatinius on Jun 19, 2009 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And if Pujols had three all-star caliber players hitting in front of him, he would likely exceed Howard's RBI total.
by Wilder. on Jun 19, 2009 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's possible this piece is just like Ichiro's Aprils
A subpar piece in a sea of good ones.
by Mariner John on Jun 19, 2009 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I haven't yet read any of Boswell's other stuff.
I’m going to do so tomorrow when I get home from work. Posnanski stated, in his article, that Boswell has written some good pieces. If I trust anyone when it comes to judging good writing, it’s Posnanski.
Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997
by JLProck on Jun 19, 2009 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
Pujols hit .339 w/RISP last year.
by hcoguy on Jun 20, 2009 2:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
God damn it, I keep reading this
as “Tom Bosley is Misguided,” and keep wondering what Howard Cunningham has to do with baseball.
by Liebkartoffel on Jun 20, 2009 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The stat Boswell is looking for is WPA.
The problem, of course, is that Pujols’ 2008 WPA blows Howard’s out of the water.
by Manzanillos Cup on Jun 23, 2009 11:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs


















