Fun With Numbers
by Graham on Jun 28, 2009 9:53 PM PDT
in The More You Know
62 comments
So we know that Ichiro's been on fire lately, what with getting 49 hits in May and 47 so far in June. But how good has he actually been? Let's take a look.
Games: 66
wOBA: 0.393
bRAA: 17.5
UZR: 6.1
Replacement+positional: 7.1
WAR: 3.1
(#s per fangraphs, not including today's play)
He is so ridiculously good it's unreal. Prorating those numbers to a 154 game season gives 7.2 wins above replacement. If we ignore the injury and give him the 8 games he missed back, the total goes over 7.6. His season so far, especially considering that he started on the DL, is utterly absurd. Ichiro's getting hits like it's 2004 - except for the fact that his slugging percentage has been flirting with .500 for so long that they're about to get settled down and start a family. And this is all after putting up his worst season in three years in 2008.
Last year he hit .310/.361/.386, which led to some premature calls to trade or bench him. After all, you don't want your offensive powerhouse slugging like a bad middle infielder, and it's not like he drew a tonne of walks either. This year, Ichiro listened intently to calls for improved patience from the fans and proceeded to shove them up our collective ass. He's somehow managed a .405 OBP while drawing 5(!) unintentional walks, and it's not like he's being put on base by the opposing team all the time either. He's already at 110 hits, and could probably have made a run at Sisler again were it not for that unfortunate stomach ulcer which forced him to miss eight games in April.
Defensively, he's as good as ever in right field. Comical misplay last night aside, he's running around out there like he's five year's younger, and has even indulged in a few slides to catch balls he started several zip codes from. His 6.1 UZR is despite Ichiro running a negative arm rating for the first time since 2002, which I'm more than content to blame Rob Johnson for. Apart from minor things (like his arm and baserunning issues), Ichiro is having a perfect season. If Griffey being around is giving us happy Ichiro, and happy Ichiro is giving us this, I'm more than happy to keep Jr. around as the tickling coach next year.
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We are really, really lucky to have had a sure Hall of Famer to watch during the Bavasi years
by Graham on Jun 28, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love how some people on the radio still question whether he'll get into the Hall.
If they don’t understand why Ichiro’s a once-in-a-lifetime player, I don’t want to hear what they have to say. Is there a spot in the HOF for Tickle Coach? Griffey could get in there twice.
I actually bought a Betancourt t-shirt.
by Hopefulmsfan on Jun 28, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You should spend some time at BBTF.
There you’ll see a number of very intelligent sabermetrics guys arguing furiously that Ichiro doesn’t belong anywhere near the HoF.
I don't know how to stop.
by esoteric on Jun 29, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The last month or two with him and Felix has been unbelievable.
We have the hottest hitter and pitcher in the game right now. It’s been unbelievable to watch.
And Griffey’s the front runner for Tickler Of The Year.
Go Nova
by dbroncos31 on Jun 28, 2009 10:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I should probably mention that Gutierrez is on pace for a 5 WAR season too
by Graham on Jun 28, 2009 10:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I just sat and read that again and again for nearly a minute. He's really something isn't he?
by Kermit. on Jun 28, 2009 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's like Mike Cameron+bleach
by I Lick Squirrels on Jun 28, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Minus power plus contact
but yeah… although I think Cammy gets the edge here.
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jun 28, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He isn't a free agent until 20-fucking-13!!!!!
by Decatur on Jun 28, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
9th in WAR for AL outfielders
So probably not, but close
by Graham on Jun 28, 2009 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Griffey's going to the game. Where does he rank again?
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jun 28, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Griffey says he is going to the Bahamas.
Per Drayer, he keeps loudly announcing what Ichiro is supposed to bring back from the ASG for him.
by msb on Jun 29, 2009 6:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he was on the Red Sox, he would be.
But seriously, he keeps this up, it’s only a matter of time.
I actually bought a Betancourt t-shirt.
by Hopefulmsfan on Jun 28, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The young Ichiro meets Griffey in 1996 or so video never gets old.
by Decatur on Jun 28, 2009 10:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
They need to play part of this between innings at Safeco.
by mark sobba on Jun 28, 2009 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just watched it for the first time
Kickass
by Fett42 on Jun 28, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That video is so cash.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jun 28, 2009 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like his tom sweatshirt.
Thug Life
by Slow Country on Jun 29, 2009 2:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Note: Actually fun!
Sub-note: Actually numbers!
...and now I'm here
by CapSea on Jun 28, 2009 10:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Great post-jump picture.
angels fan in seattle
by Eyebrows on Jun 28, 2009 10:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Who, oh, who can Jr train up to be next years designated Ichi-tormentor?
by msb on Jun 28, 2009 10:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
They're gonna get punched in the face.
50!
by joof on Jun 28, 2009 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
GUTI!
I actually bought a Betancourt t-shirt.
by Hopefulmsfan on Jun 28, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rob Johnson's up to the task
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jun 28, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If God has any remorse Rob Johnson won't be on the team next year
My Mariners blog - SodoMojo Twitter Feed
by gregrabble on Jun 28, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've loved how
his in season ROS ZIPS has shifted from, he’s still gonna drop off a cliff to, OK he’s still Ichiro! Now predicts a .322 AVG, earlier it was a .30X AVG. Yes, I’m quoting AVG, because in Ichiro’s case it means something, as in a .330 Ichiro is better than a .300 Ichiro.
by chrisisasavage on Jun 28, 2009 10:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A.330 version of hitter x is always better than a .300 version of hitter x
by seattlebruin on Jun 29, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm....
Avg/OBP/SLG
Player T1: .330/.360/.450 Lots of singles…
Player T2: .300/.410/.600 Lots of BBs/IBBs and XBHs…
I don’t think “always” means what you think it does but I get what you’re trying to say.
;-)
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Jun 29, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How are T1 and T2 at all the same hitter?
by patsfan on Jun 29, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, Paul. You have twisted the words and ignored the meaning.
Unless you seriously claim there’s an example where hitting for 30 points of higher batting average resulted in a 80 point drop in patience and a 180 point drop in slugging.
by Matthew on Jun 29, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tickling coach.
That’s pretty funny.
Ichiro is on an epic rampage but never mind his hitting. He’s just so damn good at every little detail of baseball. We are really lucky to be able to watch this every day. There probably won’t be another like him.
"Why should I stretch? Does a cheetah stretch before it chases its prey?"
-Griffey
by Big Jared on Jun 28, 2009 10:55 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Still one of the highlights of this season.
Was Griffey hitting a HR and Ichiro hitting a GS in the same game against the Angels. Perfection.
I actually bought a Betancourt t-shirt.
by Hopefulmsfan on Jun 28, 2009 10:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Also of note:
“[Ichiro is] above average as a runner, and he has an above-average arm in right field,” Hargrove said. “Still, I would see him as a fourth outfielder on a major league team.”
by Graham on Jun 28, 2009 11:28 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
He's obviously talking about a team with a starting outfield of Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Ken Griffey Jr. in their respective primes.
There’s no other explanation. Other than mental retardation, perhaps.
by I Lick Squirrels on Jun 28, 2009 11:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
3 Mariner players and a Mariner's Manager in that article.
Crazy
50!
by joof on Jun 29, 2009 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's an amazing dude...
When the spotlight’s not solely on him, he can do pretty much whatever he wants. It’s like he was transported from the early 1900s or something. Like a Shoeless Joe or Nap Lajoie, Ty Cobb, or something…
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Jun 29, 2009 12:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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